Normally Complex jumps at any chance to make a joke about dudes getting balls upside their heads, but there was nothing funny about San Francisco pitcher Matt Cain’s 93mph fastball hitting New York Mets third baseman David Wright in the head Saturday, knocking his batting helmet off. After crumpling to the ground, he lay face down in the dirt for a minute until he was able to turn over with help from team trainers. Wright, who sustained a concussion and spent a night at the hospital, may miss the rest of the season, but he is actually quite fortunate.

In 1920, Cleveland Indians shortstop Ray Chapman died 12 hours after being hit in the head by Carl Mays. Thanks to batting helmets, which became mandatory protective gear in 1956, bean balls aren’t quite as deadly, but that doesn’t mean batters are completely safe, or that we cringe less when we see one of them catch head shots. With fingers crossed for Mr. Wright, Complex revisits other high and tight knockdowns that made us look away. Three yikes and you’re out.

MIKE PIAZZA
On July 8, 2000, New York Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens gunned a fastball at the head of the New York Mets slugging catcher, who’d smacked a grand slam off him earlier that year. The Rocket’s heat knocked Piazza unconscious and gave him a concussion that forced him to miss the 2000 MLB All-Star Game.

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TONY CONIGLIARO
On August 18, 1967, California Angels pitcher Jack Hamilton hit the Boston Red Sox slugging right fielder in his left cheekbone (batting helmets back then didn’t have the protective ear-flap that is now standard). Conigliaro, who suffered a linear fracture of the left cheekbone, a dislocated jaw, and severe damage to his left retina, had to be carried off the field on a stretcher.

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RICKI WEEKS
On April 13, 2009, Cincinnati Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez hit the Milwaukee Brewers second baseman in the jaw with a fastball as he was attempting to lay down a bunt. Weeks lay on the ground several minutes but ultimately shook off the facial and played the rest of the game with slight swelling and soreness.

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JIMMY ROLLINS
On June 18, 2007, Cleveland Indians pitcher Cliff Lee hit the Philadelphia Phillies shortstop in the face with a 90mph fastball. Rollins was not severely hurt, as he went on to win the 2007 National League MVP.

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SAMMY SOSA
On April 20, 2003, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Salomon Torres hit the Chicago Cubs slugger in his left temple with a fastball that shattered his batting helmet. Though shaken, Sosa never fell to the ground. He walked off the field to be examined at a hospital, where it was determined that the worst of his injuries were a few cuts from helmet shards.

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EDGAR GONZALEZ
On July 18, 2009, Colorado Rockies pitcher Jason Hammel hit the San Diego Padres third baseman in the head with a 93mph fastball. Gonzalez, who complained of extreme dizziness and ringing in his ears, lay on the ground several minutes before sitting up and eventually being driven off the field by trainers. He spent a night at the hospital.

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SCOTT ROLEN
On August 2, 2009, Colorado Rockies pitcher Jason Marquis hit the Cincinnati Reds third baseman in the head. Rolen fell to the ground but was able to walk off the field after less than a minute. He missed two games with a concussion, then returned to action before leaving again with headaches and dizziness.

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IAN KINSLER
On August 15, 2009, Boston Red Sox pitcher Fernando Cabrera hit the Texas Rangers second baseman with a 92mph fastball that deflected off of his left shoulder into his helmet. Kinsler, who ultimately suffered only a light bruise on his shoulder, stayed in the game.

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Haters call Ron Artest a head case. Complex agrees that his head needs to be examined, but not because QB’s finest is some kind of dangerous unhinged manimal who’ll punch you in the face and force you to listen to Allure albums. With a fresh Houston Rockets logo shaved into his head for the 2009 NBA Playoffs, Ron-Ron is keeping the proud NBA tradition of hair designs alive.

They’re like temporary head tattoos for anyone who worries that a Starbury logo on their dome might not be the look they want at 40. In honor of Artest’s super cut, Complex looks back at some of the most unforgettable slam dunk designs we’ve seen in the NBA over the years…

Kenny Walker, 1989
• Two lines? Nah, that’s an equals sign, as in: “My Gumby flat-top fade = fresh for ‘89, you suckas!”

Anthony Mason, 1994
• While Michael Jordan was off disgracing the game of baseball, somebody had to make the 1994 NBA Playoffs interesting. Like Mase, the constantly evolving designs shaved into the left side of his head muscled everyone else out of the way, then kneed them in the balls for good measure.

Anthony Mason, 1994
• Exposure was limited, but the ad rates on Mase’s pubes were much, much cheaper.

Anthony Mason, 1994
• As far as we’re aware, Mase was the first to rock a design in the NBA Finals. The Knicks lost to the Rockets in Game 7, but as far as we’re concerned he’s a champion. John “2-for-18″ Starks, however, still gets ball boy status.

Ron Artest, 2005
• Rather than enraging Ron-Ron by editing his company name, let’s just change the dictionary spellings of “true” and “warrior.”

Drew Gooden, 2006
• An experiment with negative space (as in every single inch of this)? Our best guess is that Drew told his barber to make it look like somebody had just shit on his neck.

Ron Artest, 2007
• Name on jersey? Check. Team name on head? Check. Grab the Tru Warier lunch box/thermos and Ronald’s ready for the short bus.

Anthony Mason, 2007
• Retirement couldn’t stop Mase. We hope male pattern baldness never does either.

Daniel “Boobie” Gibson, 2008
• No joke, the “B” is for Boobie. Take it or squeeze it.

Daniel “Boobie” Gibson, 2008
• LeBron’s lil’ dun is a star (in his own head).