Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer

Charlie & Debbie

Video: Former University Of North Carolina Pitcher Kills Bird With Curveball

Avatar photo
Author Charlie & Debbie

It’s one of those weird, yet tragic things that you can do nothing about.  Unfortunately, none of us has control over nature.  We’d all love to tell that deer not to run out on front of our car, right?  Similarly, when you’re playing a sport that launches projectiles, there’s nothing that can be done about a bird who’s not paying close attention or worse, “playing chicken” (yes, bad pun intended).

Zac Gallen spent three years pitching for The University of North Carolina Tar Heels.  Currently, he’s a professional baseball player with The Arizona Diamondbacks.  I’d be willing to bet in his entire life on the pitcher’s mound, he’s never had an experience like this.  While warming up before a game against The Oakland Athletics on Wednesday, Gallen threw a curveball that struck and killed a bird in midflight.  Quoted by WBTV, Gallen said of the incident, “I don’t really know what happened, honestly.  I just know that the ball changed directions really. I saw what happened. It’s kind of a freak accident. It’s unfortunate.”  The video, captured by Bally Sports Arizona, is below.  You’ll have to blow it up to full screen to see the impact.

What makes this story become eerie is that it may appear to the avian community that The Diamondback pitching staff has something against them.  You see, 21 years ago, Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson was pitching for the team against The San Francisco Giants when this most infamous of baseball/bird tragedies occurred.  I’m going to warn you in advance about this one…it’s horrific.

Do You Know Every North Carolina Minor League Baseball Team?

Baseball is widely regarded as America’s pastime. Without a major league team closer than Atlanta or DC minor league baseball takes the stage in North Carolina. So it’s a good thing that we have plenty of North Carolina minor league baseball teams to be a fan of! It can seem like there are so many teams that it’s hard to make sense of what they all mean. It seems like every town has a baseball team. Are they all the same level?

The short answer is no. Minor league baseball is made up of several different levels. These are used for player development and getting players ready to hopefully one day compete in the “big leagues”. Each major league team has 4 minor league teams affiliated with them for a total of 120 teams in the country. Additionally, there are other independent baseball leagues that players can play in and fans can take in games.

Minor league baseball can be a fun and relatively inexpensive outing for families and friend groups alike. Most tickets are very affordable with fun promotions as well as food and drink specials. North Carolina is home to 10 official minor league teams in the triple A, high A, and single A levels. We also have 5 independent baseball teams. Keep reading to learn a little about each of the teams, where they are located, their major league affiliate, and their level!

Charlie Nance is the Afternoon Drive co-host (along with his wife) of "The Charlie and Debbie Show" at WSOC, Country 1037 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The couple have been with the radio station since 2006. Charlie has won the prestigious CMA (Country Music Association) Award for Radio Personality of the Year and has been a finalist for the Country Radio Hall of Fame four times. Prior to his time in Charlotte, Charlie (along with Debbie) spent more than a decade hosting successful morning radio shows in Greenville, SC; Augusta, Ga; and Birmingham, Al. As a content creator for Country 1037, Charlie writes about dream lottery windfalls, sports, restaurants and bars, and travel experiences in North and South Carolina.

Get The Country 103.7 All Access Newsletter Delivered To Your Inbox

Enjoy the latest country music, entertainment, and local stories, plus exclusive contests, games, and more!

*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Avatar photo
Author Charlie & Debbie
Category:
Tags:
,,,

More Country 103.7

Load More