Boston Red Sox outfielder Braiden Ward put his name on the map in March when he broke the spring training stolen base record. Ward celebrated by pulling a Rickey Henderson stunt that delighted Red Sox fans and annoyed the opposition.
Ward's speed has continued to bother opponents in Triple-A now that the regular season has started, and the 27-year-old's face took a beating for it on Friday. In a game against the Nashville Sounds, Ward took a dangerous fastball to the head, and what followed was almost as violent.
After his helmet flew off his head from the contact of the baseball, an incensed Ward chucked his bat in the direction of pitcher Tate Kuehner. Both benches immediately cleared, though no further violence bubbled to the surface.
Red Sox outfielder Braiden Ward avoids catastrophic injury
Ward had every reason to be furious, as he barely avoided what could have been a career-altering injury had the fastball missed his helmet and struck him directly in the face. Interestingly, this was already the eighth time Ward has been hit by a pitch this season, according to Red Sox analyst Hunter Noll (BoSox Injection, Beyond the Monster). If there were ever a time to forgive a player for a sidearm bat toss in the direction of the mound, this was it.
What is it about Ward that keeps getting him plunked? Are pitchers genuinely ticked off by his base-stealing prowess? Putting him on base via HBP would be the last thing to do if that were the case. Moreover, it's almost impossible to believe that Kuehner's perilous fastball was anything other than an errant pitch he lost control of.
Braiden Ward's viral, bloody photograph has Red Sox fans totally amped
Regardless of the causality for Ward's near catastrophe, he got an epic photograph out of the experience that will have him looking like a baseball warrior for years to come.
Ward is now slashing .278/.500/.278 through 15 games in 2026 with Worcester. He's already stolen nine bases. While he has yet to debut in the majors, that hasn't stopped him from becoming a fan favorite in the Red Sox organization, not to mention a social media darling.
At 27 years old, Ward's pro baseball saga is far from over. Who knows, he might supply a dose of his aggressive approach to Fenway Park at some point. For now, get some ice for that facial wound, lace 'em back up, and keep stealing bags.
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