D-backs' Gallen accidentally hits bird with pregame pitch

Arizona Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen experienced a bizarre moment Wednesday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Warming up in right field before the series finale between the Athletics and Diamondbacks, Gallen delivered a pitch to a teammate near the foul line. It struck and killed a bird mid-flight on its way there.

https://twitter.com/BALLYSPORTSAZ/status/1658919001983164416

That bizarre moment is reminiscent of, ironically enough, former Diamondbacks pitcher Randy Johnson in 2001. During a spring game against the San Francisco Giants, Johnson infamously hit a bird with a pitch. Feathers went everywhere.

Johnson, who entered the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015, now is a professional photographer. His logo for Randy Johnson Photography features a bird.

RELATED: Medina's quality start not enough as A's fall to D-backs

Athletics

Find the latest Athletics news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Bay Area and California.

Five Athletics players to watch during promising 2025 season

Report: Gelof to begin season on IL, Muncy makes Athletics' roster

Johnson's bird strike no longer can be considered a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Gallen joined that short list Wednesday, a group made up of two Diamondbacks.

Contact Us