In one of the more bizarre possible injuries in the MLB, home plate umpire Brian O’Nora had to exit the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets game on Friday in the bottom of the first inning because he reportedly swallowed some chewing tobacco. O’Nora’s departure caused a nine minute delay during the first inning as first-base ump Adrian Johnson had to toss on the home plate gear and assume O’Nora’s position.
Kevin Cooney who is the Phillies beat reporter for the Bucks County Courier Times Tweeted out the apparent reason behind the departure. Though we have yet to receive proper confirmation, it does seem that Brian O’Nora left the game because he swallowed his chew.
[blackbirdpie url=”https://twitter.com/KevinCooney/statuses/327927496530087936″]
Not surprisingly the AP reported that O’Nora had flu-like symptoms.
