Baseball Hits bird, Player Could Face Charges

WorldNetDaily.Com ^ | 4/23/03

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

Minor-league Cubs player strikes out at osprey in nest

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Posted: April 23, 2003
5:40 p.m. Eastern

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© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com

A minor-league pitcher in the Chicago Cubs organization has created a major flap after aiming for and knocking down an osprey from its perch with a baseball.

Pitcher Jae-kuk Ryu

South Korean Jae-kuk Ryu of the Daytona Cubs could face animal cruelty charges for striking out at the bird Monday night at Florida's Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

"The bird's eye was gushing blood," Chad Efron, a trainer with the Port St. Lucie Mets told the Daytona Beach News-Journal. "I started yelling at [Ryu]. I got all fired up."

The bird, known locally as Ozzy, had been nesting with its mate and chicks on a 40-foot light pole over left field, when it was struck after several pitches by Ryu during pre-game practice time.

"He laughed when he missed," Efron, said. "Then he acted like he was sorry when the bird was laying there."

'Ozzy' the Osprey (WKMG-TV)

The osprey is being treated for a serious eye injury at the Animal Clinic of Edgewater, Fla., where veterinarians are using anti-inflammatory drugs and are trying to get Ozzy to eat.

"We're just keeping him warm and quiet," said technician Jennifer Rosenfeldt. "It's unfortunate that people don't have respect for nature."

Officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are tight-lipped about its investigation into the incident, but it says ospreys are recognized by the state as a species of special concern, meaning their habitats are vulnerable.

Osprey nested in left-field light pole

Wounding or killing one is a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500 and 60 days in jail.

"You can't intentionally harm an animal," said Daytona Beach Animal Control officer Melody Baum. "If somebody deliberately threw the ball, it's animal cruelty."

Team officials are still trying to determine details of the incident.

"I've got to look and see what happened," Cubs manager Rick Kranitz said. "I'm sure the intention was not to kill the bird."

According to WKMG-TV in Orlando, angry phone calls and e-mails have been pouring into the park, with most messages suggesting the pitcher be punished for his actions.

Diamondbacks' Randy Johnson strikes dove in 2001 spring training

This is not the first incident involving baseball players hitting birds with balls.

In March 2001, pitcher Randy Johnson of the Arizona Diamondbacks struck a dove in mid-flight as he delivered a pitch in a spring-training game against the San Francisco Giants. The dove was instantly pulverized.

In 1983, Yankees outfielder Dave Winfield killed a seagull in Toronto with a warmup throw. Police charged him with animal cruelty, though the charge was later dropped.

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[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

Yes it is off subject, I heard this briefly on the radio in the car and heard activists blah blah blah and admit I immediately ASSumed that this was an accident.Then when I saw the article I posted it without reading it all, because I thought it was an accident. i could not imagine anyone doing this for jollies, my mistake-sorry!!!

[Sacajaweau]

What are the real chances of him hitting this boid in the eye. The target is how big?? He's not exactly using a gun with a sight on it. Get real!!

[nickcarraway]

Sounds like it's time to charge the mound.

[bigfootbob]

Chill. The kid is Korean, he probably doesn't know strange white custom of elevating a cousin of the vulture to such a higher level of man in natures hierarchy.

Additionally the article makes it clear by what they didn't say, the kid was surprised he hit the bird. Try throwing a baseball 40'+ straight up at a small target and see how easy it is to whack a bullseye or should I say, birdseye.

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

I am not an animal rights nut (check my freezer its full of venison) but there is no reason to aim a fastball at a nesting osprey for fun. did he ever think what if I hit it? He is a jerk.

[husky ed]

In March 2001, pitcher Randy Johnson of the Arizona Diamondbacks struck a dove in mid-flight as he delivered a pitch in a spring-training game against the San Francisco Giants. The dove was instantly pulverized.

That was pretty cool. It was like someone blew up a down filled pillow with a M-80.

Although I'm not for intentionaly inflicting pain on animals just for laughs.

[Old Professer]

veterinarians are using anti-inflammatory drugs and are trying to get Ozzy to eat.

Sounds like what my mom would do - aspirin and chicken-soup fixes everything.

[xp38]

That incident was a media sensation but the police quickly dropped the charges and apologies were issued. Winfield was a good sport about it and commissioned a painting of him the Toronto skyline and some seagulls and sold it at a charity auction. He eventually became a Blue Jay and helped them win their first World Series in 1992 and is now enshrined in Cooperstown.

[supercat]

Where was the pitcher throwing from? Certainly there'd be no realistic way to throw the ball from the pitcher's mound to the top of a left-field light pole (250+ feet away?), much less with any degree of accuracy.

[Scott from the Left Coast]

The Randy Johnson incident was unintentional, it was one of those freak-of-probability cases where the bird and his 100 mph fastball met at the same space and time. He wasn't aiming at the bird. Randy Johnson is a bit eccentric (what hard-throwing left hander isn't?) but he's actually a decent sort of fellow.

[Dianna]

Sounds like what my mom would do - aspirin and chicken-soup fixes everything

Do you suppose chicken soup is comforting to a bird?

[bigfootbob]

"He is a jerk."

He's a kid, a foreign kid. Kids by nature do dumb things. I'm sure you were perfect when you were a kid. Go have an enema, you'll feel better.

[valleygal]

In March 2001, pitcher Randy Johnson of the Arizona Diamondbacks struck a dove in mid-flight as he delivered a pitch in a spring-training game against the San Francisco Giants. The dove was instantly pulverized.

I once killed a bird on a driving range. I smacked the ball low (I'm a lousy golfer but every now and then I can drive one a little ways). It was kinda low and hit the bird mid air. The poor thing flopped around in the air and fell to the ground.

I felt badly. Dh was with me and kept calling me a "bird killer (joking, of course).

I think I knew about RJ killing the bird. Giants spring train here in AZ.

For the pitcher who did it on purpose I hope he does get fined.

[husky ed]

Your correct. I watched as the bird flew past just as Randy threw one of his 98mph fastballs.
Also a few years ago Dave Winfield hit a bird in the SkyDome with a fly ball. I don't think that one was killed, though I could be wrong.

[mustapha mond]

Wow. Would it make me a bad person if I said I don't care about a stupid bird. Fine him 10 bucks and be done with it. This is a non story. MM

[IslandTrash]

From what I remember, Johnson was actually annoyed about it...while everyone else was laughing at the puff of feathers, he was ticked...probably threw him off his pitching rhythm.

[omega4412]

Max fine, max jail, deport. We need ospreys more than we need a$$holes like Ryu.

[Brian S]

When I read the title my first thought was "you've got to be kidding", assuming that the player hit the ball and an accident had happened. I'm disappointed that it was otherwise.

This guy is a jerk and a judge should sentence him to 10 fastballs in the groin... :(

[dalereed]

"ospreys are recognized by the state as a species of special concern, meaning their habitats are vulnerable"

The bird was nesting on top of a light standard, how can their "habitats" be vulnerable?

There has to be at least 100 light standards for every osprey!