BOSTONIn the box score, it is a simple HBP. But it was so much worse than that.
Last May 21, Marlon Byrd was hit in the face, near his left eye, by an Alfredo Aceves 93-mph fastball in the second inning at Fenway Park. Byrd immediately fell to the ground, writhing in pain as blood poured from his face. He was taken to Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, fearing for his sight. Byrd did not play again until July 2.
Sunday, for the first time since that awful night, he was back at Fenway Park, a member of the Red Sox after Saturdays trade with the Cubs, to replace Jacoby Ellsbury in center field.
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It wasnt that bad, gave me a six-week vacation, Byrd said of the injury. It was just one of those things. You get hit, you wonder if its going to bother you, if youre going to have some thoughts about it every time you get in the batters box. And I didnt have it yet, but I havent had a ball thrown at my head yet. But maybe itll come back to me when I step in the batters box here, Ill get that feel. But its one of those things, that, I dont know, Im one of those guys that kind of look past things and just keep going.
But the irony of getting traded to the team against whom he suffered what could have been a serious injury is not lost on Byrd.
But things happen for a reason, Byrd said. Of course they didn't want Jacoby Ellsbury getting hurt. But theres a reason that Im over here, and while I am over here Im going to make sure I do everything I can, bring my energy, play hard, play my defense, hopefully get some big hits, and just get this team back on the right track.
Byrd has never held any ill will toward Aceves for the pitch.
I talked to him, Byrd said. He sent over his apologies last year when it happened right away, also sent them to the clubhouse and to the hospital. I accepted them. We havent talked yet, but theres nothing to talk about. It wasnt anything malicious, trying to hit me. Catcher Jason Varitek who was catching that night, I know he liked going in up with two strikes. The ball just slipped out and I didnt get out of the way. Its just one of those things. Were teammates now.