OAKLAND — Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers aspire to be like Randy Johnson.
Zac Gallen unintentionally got really close to emulating the Hall of Famer.
While warming up in the outfield before Arizona’s game against the A’s at the Oakland Coliseum on Wednesday, Gallen threw a curveball that hit a bird in midflight, apparently killing the animal.
The throw was captured by cameras for Diamondbacks’ broadcaster Bally Sports Arizona.
Johnson, a Livermore native, infamously killed a bird during a spring training game in 2001. While throwing a pitch against the Giants, a bird crossed in front of home plate and was destroyed by the baseball.
Gallen’s incident happened one day before the anniversary of Johnson pitching a perfect game for Arizona against the Atlanta Braves in 2004.
Zac Gallen really hit a bird with a curveball. pic.twitter.com/T6XOZudoMH
— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) May 17, 2023
Gallen, 27, is in his fifth big league season and his fourth in Arizona. This year, he is 6-1 with a 2.35 ERA in 57.1 innings over nine starts.
The A’s lost Wednesday’s game 5-3. Gallen did not pitch.
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