Sunday afternoon in Houston turned ugly fast. Taylor Ward, the Angels’ outfielder known for his hustle, went all-out chasing a fly ball at Daikin Park. In doing so, he ended up face-first into the outfield scoreboard.
The collision left Ward bleeding, needing immediate towels from the bullpen, and ultimately carted off the field. It was a scary sight, and it sparked serious questions about player safety at one of baseball’s quirkiest ballparks.
Angels Outfielder Sounds Off
After the game, teammate Jo Adell didn’t hold back. He ripped the setup in Houston, calling the placement of a metal scoreboard in play “ridiculous.”
“He’s doing what he’s supposed to do. He’s being aggressive on a play… But there should be no out of town metal scoreboard anywhere on the baseball field. It’s the big leagues. This sh– is ridiculous. A guy goes back to make a play, and he’s got to worry about a metal fence. That’s crazy.”
Adell’s frustration is clear: Ward wasn’t reckless. He was just doing his job. And yet, instead of just risking a tough catch, he was risking his health against a piece of stadium design that probably never should’ve been there in the first place.
A History of Odd Features
Now, Houston’s ballpark — whether you call it Daikin Park, Minute Maid, or remember the Enron days — has always had a reputation for unique, and sometimes dangerous, quirks. Let’s not forget Tal’s Hill, that bizarre incline in center field with a flagpole in play, which lasted until 2016 before finally being removed after years of complaints.
The scoreboard hasn’t been the subject of much controversy until now, but Ward’s injury changes the conversation. Fans and players alike are wondering: how did a metal structure like that remain part of live play in the first place?
For now, the quirky train in left field remains the park’s only signature feature that hasn’t been tied to injuries or safety concerns. But Sunday’s accident may force Houston and MLB to take another hard look at whether unique ballpark character is worth the physical cost.
