Extreme Heat Takes a Toll in Major League Baseball: A Look at Elly De La Cruz and Trent Thornton
On a sweltering Saturday, Major League Baseball felt the impacts of a brutal heatwave sweeping across much of the United States. Among those affected were Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz and Seattle Mariners reliever Trent Thornton, both of whom experienced distress on the field during their respective games.
Elly De La Cruz in the Spotlight
The Cincinnati Reds were facing off against the St. Louis Cardinals when De La Cruz fell ill in the fourth inning, with two outs on the board. In a moment that caught the attention of players and spectators alike, the 23-year-old shortstop was seen vomiting on the field. The intensity of the heat was palpable, with the gametime temperature soaring to 92°F (33°C).
Reds manager Terry Francona described the sequence of events, highlighting De La Cruz’s effort to stay hydrated. “I actually watched him. He drank a bunch of water. I mean a bunch,” Francona recounted. Despite the alarming situation, De La Cruz managed to compose himself and returned to the game, hitting a two-run homer in the seventh inning—a testament to his resilience in the face of adversity.
Trent Thornton’s Struggle on the Mound
Meanwhile, in Chicago, Mariners reliever Trent Thornton faced his own battle against the oppressive heat during a game against the Chicago Cubs. After pitching two and a third scoreless innings, Thornton had to leave the game in the eighth inning, succumbing to what Mariners manager Dan Wilson later described as “a little bit of a heat-related illness.”
The temperature for Thornton’s game reached an uncomfortable 94°F (34°C), contributing to a challenging environment for all players involved. Wilson characterized the incident as “a scary moment,” acknowledging the rigorous effort Thornton put into his performance before signs of heat illness forced him out of the game. Fortunately, the early signs were positive as Thornton was reported to be feeling better soon after.
The Ripple Effects in the Dugouts
The extreme conditions were not limited to just the players. In a further testament to the heat’s grip on the games, home plate umpire Chad Whitson also fell ill during the Mariners’ matchup, requiring medical attention in the dugout. Wilson noted that Whitson experienced similar symptoms, throwing up a few times before being treated and subsequently cleared to work third base for the series finale.
At Wrigley Field, additional measures were taken to protect not only athletes but also fans from the heat. The Cubs set up cooling and misting stations throughout the stadium, and emergency personnel were positioned strategically to address any health issues arising from the suffocating temperatures. Acknowledging the severity of the situation, the team even arranged for a city bus to function as a cooling station nearby for the second game of the series.
A Broader Context: The Heatwave
The heatwave affecting the Midwest and other parts of the U.S. is expected to persist, with forecasts predicting high temperatures lasting until Thursday or Friday of the following week. As both teams navigated their evening matchups, it became clear that the extreme weather was not merely a backdrop but a significant player influencing the events on the field.
As fans and athletes alike braved the heat, the day served as a reminder of the challenges presented by extreme weather in the realm of sports, and the vigilance required to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved.
