Umpire who ejected Yankees' Aaron Boone still in hospital after freak on-field accident
MLB umpire Larry Vanover was still in the hospital as of Thursday afternoon after being hit in the head by a relay throw during Wednesday's game between the Cleveland Guardians and New York Yankees.
The 67-year-old -- who was standing between second base and the pitcher's mound during the incident -- was hit on the left side of his head in the top of the fifth inning by a throw from Cleveland infielder Andrés Giménez.
According to an Associated Press and ESPN report, Vanover (who's been working MLB games for 29 years) had been slated to work Thursday's game between the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies in Cincinnati. Vanover will need to be cleared by MLB doctors before returning to work, however.
The big-league umpire of nearly three decades was transported to the Cleveland Clinic following the mishap on Wednesday and checked for a concussion and "other medical issues," according to the report.
"He was kept in the hospital overnight for observation, and there was no immediate word on when he'll be released," the report added.
The accident wasn't the only notable moment for Vanover during Wednesday's contest before his departure. Vanover was the umpire who ejected Yankees manager Aaron Boone in the bottom of the first inning after the Guardians benefited from a bizarre and controversial replay review where Cleveland manager Terry Francona successfully challenged a dropped fly ball.
Although he was still fired up after the game about the call that didn't go his team's way, Boone added in regard to Vanover's injury "that looked pretty scary" and "I hope he's well."
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