BOSTON — Wins are good. Losses are bad. But neither matter when compared to everyone’s well-being.
The Red Sox arrived at the ballpark Saturday on the heels of a 4-2 win over the Oakland Athletics, yet Friday night’s scary incident at Fenway Park in which a fan was struck by a broken bat remained fresh.
“Our thoughts are clearly with the woman who was injured last night and nothing has changed from our feelings toward that,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said before Saturday’s game against the A’s. “Our thoughts and our prayers go to her and her family. We respect the privacy that they request during this time.”
Tonya Carpenter, who was sitting in the box seats located near the visitors’ on-deck circle, was struck in the head by Brett Lawrie’s broken bat in the second inning of Friday night’s game, creating a very scary scene. She was stretchered out of Fenway Park and admitted to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, where she’s in serious condition, according to a statement released by her family Saturday afternoon.
The unfortunate incident raises questions about the use of maple bats, like the one used by Lawrie, and whether Fenway Park should install additional netting to prevent future occurrences. Keeping everyone safe obviously remains the top priority.
“As far as fan safety goes, that’s paramount to any ballpark, regardless if it’s Fenway or somewhere else,” Farrell said. “If there’s any changes that were to be made — and I fully understand the question here — any changes that are made to any ballpark, there’s approval by MLB that has to take place. We’ll always look for ways to continue to make fan safety a priority.”
Both teams looked on with concern Friday night as paramedics tended to Carpenter. The accident cast silence over Fenway Park, as the extent of Carpenter’s injuries were unclear.
“I heard her, I saw some blood and kind of turned around and looked away,” Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts said after the game. “It’s definitely scary. It’s scary for anybody. Again, go home and pray and hopefully everything’s OK.”
Red Sox chairman Tom Werner called the incident “terrible” before sending along his well-wishes, according to the team’s website. Outfielder Shane Victorino tweeted his support shortly after the game.
[tweet https://twitter.com/ShaneVictorino/status/607023580237447168 align=’center’%5D
“All of us offer our prayers and our thoughts as we wish her a speedy recovery,” The Red Sox said in a statement released Saturday afternoon.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@sportingnews
