Besides having a reputation as one of MLB’s most feared sluggers, Giancarlo Stanton is known for being built like an absolute tank. Stanton stands tall at 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds — a stature that undoubtedly helps him mash for power better than most of his peers.
Apparently, such a Herculean build helps Stanton shake off seemingly very hard pitches to his arm, too.
As the New York Yankees took on the rival Boston Red Sox Saturday night, Stanton faced Boston’s Tanner Houck on the mound. And on a 1-1 pitch, Houck absolutely drilled Stanton (likely by accident) with a throw. Thankfully, the baseball hit Stanton right in his arm padding, taking the heat off a pitch that even sounded very dangerous when it made contact.
While removing some gear and taking his base, Stanton appeared to glare at Houck and seemed understandably quite unhappy, even if he avoided the worst outcome.
Giancarlo Stanton didn't seem to happy after being hit by this pitch 👀 pic.twitter.com/POJ8AxUibr
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 11, 2023
His general build aside, it’s great that Stanton had the requisite protection on his arm. That’s what that padding is there for! Nonetheless, I’d also probably be pretty upset at a pitcher drilling me with a throw in a rivalry matchup. These are the kinds of ultimately “harmless” moments teams like the Yankees and Red Sox don’t just forget.
