I immensely enjoy how tight the rivalry is between these teams - so many low scoring games, closely matched series, etc --- yet it remains both low key and very sportsmanlike.

When McCarthy stood up and walked off the field under his own power, many (if not all) of the Angels stood up and applauded. A's announcers mentioned Haren in particular.

Very classy, Angels. Thamk you.


I immensely enjoy how tight the rivalry is between these teams - so many low scoring games, closely matched series, etc --- yet it remains both low key and very sportsmanlike.

Heck, I've known people who've bounced up after a blow to the head and died later that day.

People? Like, more than one?

I don't like that he walked off the field – should have been immobilized and carried off. Ray Chapman walked off the field after being hit, too. Heck, I've known people who've bounced up after a blow to the head and died later that day.

"Chapman staggered to his feet, instinctively took two steps toward first and then, shaking like an aspen, dropped in a heap, his left eye hanging out of its socket." (source)

huh, i read sowell's 'the pitch that killed' and don't remember anything about his eye. either i blocked it out or he didn't mention it.

I think in a situation like this, even the most bitter rivals would react much the same way. Nobody wants to see another player hurt like that.

"Chapman staggered to his feet, instinctively took two steps toward first and then, shaking like an aspen, dropped in a heap, his left eye hanging out of its socket."

Brandon McCarthy underwent surgery after being hit in the head by a line drive on Wednesday.

The surgery was deemed necessary after a CT scan revealed an epidural hemorrhage, brain contusion and skull fracture. McCarthy had another scan Thursday which showed improvement from his previous scan while the epidural hemorrhage has subsided. Per a statement from A's general manager Billy Beane, McCarthy is "stable, awake and alert," and currently resting in the critical care unit of the hospital.

The A's said in a release on Thursday that McCarthy had undergone surgery to alleviate pressure in his head Wednesday night after a CT Scan revealed an epidural hemorrhage, brain contusion and skull fracture.

The release said that McCarthy is alert, awake and resting comfortably, and adds that he has shown signs of improvement.

"Our first concern is Brandon's health, and we are heartened to learn he has shown progress in his recovery after surgery," A's vice president and general manager Billy Beane said in a statement. "We are glad to report he is stable, awake and alert. The team will provide further updates as they become available in the coming days. We would ask members of the media to respect the privacy of Brandon and his family during this time.