The festive atmosphere at the home opener for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim was muted Monday night after Angels hitting coach Don Baylor broke his right femur while attempting to catch the ceremonial first pitch.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Baylor was forced to lunge down and to his right to grab the pitch from former Angeles star Vladimir Guerrero. In the process, Baylor's right leg twisted awkwardly, leaving him unable to get up. Members of the Angels training staff came out and helped Baylor off the field and he was transported to nearby UCI Medical Center for tests.
The Times reported that Baylor is scheduled to undergo surgery on Tuesday. The 64-year-old was hired as the Angels hitting coach last October after serving two years in the same position with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The first pitch ceremony was meant to incorporate the only two Angels to win American League MVP honors. Baylor won the award in 1979, while Guerrero took the honors in 2004.
The Angels will hope that Baylor's bizarre injury doesn't turn out to be a metaphor for their season. However, starter Jered Weaver surrendered an early 3-0 lead and the Angels lost to the Seattle Mariners 10-3.
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