Jeremy Hermida called it "one of the most humbling experiences of my life," and he wasn't talking about the four runs he drove in during the Marlins' victory over the Phillies on Tuesday. He was referring specifically to his first at bat when he hit a young fan in the eye with a line-drive foul ball.
"My heart skipped a few beats and I got a lump in my throat," Hermida said Wednesday.
It was a harrowing moment for everyone at Citizens Bank Park, players and fans alike.
Hermida said he could tell by the sound of the impact -- a "thump" -- that his foul ball had hit someone.
"And then I saw the dad pick him up and carry him out, and I wanted to almost run over there myself to help," Hermida said.
Instead, Hermida and Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer paused to allow the situation to settle. But Hermida said his heart wasn't into the rest of the bat (he fouled out with a weak swing) and felt worse when he took his seat inside the dugout and heard the unmistakeable sound of an ambulance pull up outside the stadium.
"I was shaken up," Hermida said.
The young fan, an unidentified boy, was in a Philadelphia hospital on Wednesday with a broken orbital bone near his left eye. Hermida tried to get in touch with the family to express his sorrow and see if it was possible to visit the boy, but he was unable to get in touch with relatives. He said he would try again when the Marlins return to Philadlephia in September.
"I'm going to try to do something for him," Hermida said.
i hope nothing but the best for that little boy, and his family and i hope he gets well real soon
Posted by: cristian tabora | August 06, 2008 at 09:14 PM