This one hurts — literally and emotionally. If you saw the game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Houston Astros, you probably winced just like the rest of us. Taylor Ward, a standout outfielder and one of the Angels’ most dependable gloves, took a brutal shot straight into the metal scoreboard at Houston’s Daikin Park while chasing down a fly ball in the eighth inning. And I mean brutal — face-first, bloodied, no time to brace, all heart and hustle.
Ward Slammed Face-First Into Metal Scoreboard in Full Sprint
Ward’s sprinting at full speed, trying to make a play on a Ramon Urias double. He’s locked in. Laser-focused. The kind of play fans love and teammates respect. But the next thing you know? BAM. He crashes head-on into what shouldn’t even be there in a modern ballpark — a metal scoreboard embedded into the outfield wall. Yeah, you read that right. A metal scoreboard. In the year 2025. At the major league level.
Ward hits the ground hard. He pops back up — which, let’s be honest, might’ve been adrenaline more than anything — and immediately calls for help. He’s bleeding, he’s shaken, and Angel’s staff wastes no time rushing out. A bullpen arm hands him a towel, and soon paramedics are on scene. The guy’s got a cut above his eye, serious enough that he’s carted off the field, resting his head on a team employee’s shoulder. Not a sight anyone wants to see.
Teammates and Trainers Rushed to Help as Bloodied Ward Signaled for Aid
Interim manager Ray Montgomery later confirmed that Ward was taken to a hospital, where he was treated and would undergo further evaluation. No word yet on a concussion — which, let’s be real, has to be on the table after an impact like that.
But here’s where things really started heating up — Jo Adell, Angels teammate and fellow outfielder, didn’t hold back after the game. He was furious. And rightfully so. Adell flat-out called out the Astros for having a metal scoreboard in a spot where outfielders make plays every single game.
Jo Adell Unleashes on Astros: “This S*** Is Ridiculous”
“This s*** is ridiculous,” Adell said, visibly frustrated. “There should be no out-of-town metal scoreboard anywhere on a baseball field. It’s the big leagues. A guy goes back to make a play, and he’s got to worry about a metal fence?”
You could hear the anger, the disbelief — and underneath it all, the concern for his teammate. This wasn’t just a freak accident. This was the kind of injury that could’ve been prevented with basic safety design. We’re talking about the highest level of professional baseball, and yet here we are… still putting athletes in harm’s way because of outdated ballpark features.
Ward gave it everything on that play. Heart, hustle, the whole thing. And what did he get in return? Stitches and a trip to the hospital because of a wall that’s built like it belongs in a warehouse, not a ballpark.
Here’s hoping Taylor Ward makes a full recovery. But while we wait, it’s probably time for MLB to take a serious look at stadium safety — because these guys are risking everything on that field, and the walls shouldn’t be hitting back.
