Orioles Manager Wears Catcher's Gear After Close Call

When a foul ball whizzed past Craig Albernaz's head during Sunday's game, the Orioles manager decided laughter was the best medicine.

Just weeks after breaking his jaw and suffering seven facial fractures from a foul ball on April 13, Albernaz had another close call at Camden Yards. Baltimore slugger Pete Alonso sliced a liner into the first-base dugout, missing the 43-year-old skipper by inches.

Instead of retreating to safety, Albernaz grabbed a catcher's glove and pretended to position himself for the next foul ball. Then he took it further, walking down the dugout to retrieve a full catcher's mask, placing his manager's cap on top, and returning to his usual spot by the steps.

The playful moment came at the suggestion of opposing manager Mark Kotsay, who was laughing from across the field. "He told me to put the mask on and stuff and glove, so that's what I did," Albernaz explained after the Orioles' 2-1 win.

The gear probably felt familiar to Albernaz, who spent years as a minor league catcher for the Rays and Tigers from 2006 to 2014. Before that, he played the position at Eckerd College.

Sunny's Take

What makes this moment special isn't just the humor. It's watching someone choose joy after genuine trauma.

Albernaz missed the end of a comeback win in April while being rushed to a local hospital. The injury was serious enough to fracture his face in multiple places. Yet when he returned the next day, he posed for photos to show his bruised face to reporters, already finding ways to lighten the mood.

His response Sunday shows the same spirit. Rather than letting fear keep him from his post or dwelling on what could have happened twice, Albernaz turned vulnerability into connection. He made his players laugh, entertained fans watching on TV, and shared a moment with a rival manager.

Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is keep showing up to the places that scared us, and do it with a smile.