Junior Valentine was focused on doing his job – his eyes were drilled on first base – and he now has a shiner as proof.
The first base umpire for Monday’s Mets-Cardinals game was drilled by an errant throw from St. Louis’ Edmundo Sosa that made for a scary scene at Citi Field.
In the second inning, Kevin Pillar bounced what appeared to be a hit up the middle, but Sosa, the Cardinals shortstop, ranged over, twirled and fired very wide of Paul Goldschmidt at first base.
Valentine, eyes trained on the bag, was blindsided and hit on the right cheek, fortunately just south of his eye.
A Mets trainer ran out and play was paused for several minutes as blood was cleaned from his face, a black and blue remaining. But Valentine, who flashed a smile at the end of the inning, stayed in the game.
