Injured Fan Dampens Addison Russell's Home Debut
By Bruce Levine--
(CBS) What once was a splendid Monday evening for Cubs second baseman Addison Russell turned into a nightmare for one unfortunate fan.
Making his Wrigley Field debut after joining the team on the road last week, Russell had his bat fly out of his hands and propel into the stands, hitting a man squarely in the face. The accident occurred in the bottom of the seventh inning of Chicago's 4-0 win against Pittsburgh.
Russell was impacted by the scene.
"I saw a fast ball and wanted to hit it," Russell said of the accident. "The bat slipped and just connected with his face. I felt so bad. Words can't describe how bad I feel. I found the bat in my locker, so when I see that guy I am going to give him a bat and sign it. I just feel terribly bad about that."
The incident marred another Cubs win, putting a pall over the ballpark as the fan was taken for first aid.
"It's really awful," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "What I see is I never want my kids sitting unprotected even though it's a good seat -- it's awful. When you come to a game, please pay attention. Things fly into the stands."
The Cubs said in a statement that the the fan was treated by a nurse aide and transported by ambulance and a local hospital. The patient was conscious and communicating with the Cubs medical staff when he was transported from the stands on a stretcher.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.