OAKLAND, Calif. — Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers aspire to be like Randy Johnson.
Zac Gallen unintentionally got real close in emulating the Hall of Famer.
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While warming up in the outfield before Arizona's game at Oakland on Wednesday, Gallen threw a curveball that hit a bird in midflight, killing the animal.
"I don't really know what happened, honestly," Gallen said. "I just know that the ball changed directions really. I saw what happened. It's kind of a freak accident. It's unfortunate."
The throw was captured by cameras for Diamondbacks' broadcaster Bally Sports Arizona.
Johnson infamously killed a bird during a spring training game in 2001. While throwing a pitch against the San Francisco Giants, a bird crossed in front of home plate and was destroyed by the baseball.
Gallen was only 5 when that happened.
"I don't remember it as a kid," he said. "But I've seen the clip many times."
Gallen's incident happened one day before the anniversary of Johnson pitching a perfect game for Arizona against the Atlanta Braves in 2004.
