RIP to the bullpen catcher.
Like many ballparks across baseball, Oracle Park has installed a new LED light system that allows the stadium staff to control the lights and its colors in reaction to key events. A home run, a big moment in between at-bats or the walk-in for the closer … the lights go off.
But the Giants really need to keep an eye on closer Camilo Doval before they decide to turn off the lights. The bullpen catcher’s life could depend on it.
During Monday’s game against the Mets, Doval was getting ready to enter the game in a non-save situation and wanted to get some extra tosses in from the bullpen before making his way to the field. Just check out the timing of that last warm-up pitch.
I can’t imagine the split-second of pure terror that the bullpen catcher experienced in that moment. After all, Doval averaged 98 mph with the fastball last season. You don’t want the lights going off when you’re supposed to, you know, catch that pitch.
We assume the bullpen catcher lived to see another day. But MLB fans still had plenty of jokes for the moment.
