Image via Complex Original
Baseball players are actually very tough bros. They get shit from football and basketball fans because they're "fat," "slow," "or "unathletic"—and granted, some are—but you wanna know what manhood is? It's taking a 95 MPH fastball on the wrist, in the grill, or right on the nuts. That's tough. It's been 17 years since J.T. Snow famously took a Randy Johnson pitch to the eye and broke an eye socket (unfortunately, a Google search produced no video). J.T. Snow is a badass baseball player for that alone. In his memory, we present GIF Gallery: Hitters Getting Destroyed By Pitches.
You Can Feel the Hurt Through the Screen
Hitter: Marlon Byrd
Pitcher: Alfredo Aceves
Date: 5/21/2011
Game: Cubs @ Red Sox
Kevin Youkilis's reaction >>>>>
Crushed
Hitter: Max Stassi
Pitcher: Tanner Scheppers
Date: 8/21/2013
Game: Rangers @ Astros
Tanner Scheppers' 96 mpg fastball took out Maxi Stassi, but it couldn't take down Stassi's spirit. Per Astros' field reporter Julia Morales: "Stassi was yelling to his team and trying to fire them up as he walked into the clubhouse. Tough dude."
Down He Goes
Hitter: Alex Gonzalez
Pitcher: Shelby Miller
Date: 4/12/2013
Game: Brewers @ Nationals
Nothing that some spit and a bag of ice can't fix.
Take Cover!
Hitter: Paul Konerko
Pitcher: Jeff Samardzija
Date: 9/18/2012
Game: White Sox @ Cubs
Paul Konerko had no chance.
Major League Gets It Right
Hitter: Roger Dorn
Pitcher: Busick
Date: N/A
Game: N/A
*adds to "Reaction GIFs" folder*
You Can Now Assume the Fetal Position
Hitter: Mark Teixeira
Pitcher: Jon Lester
Date: 6/7/2011
Game: Red Sox @ Yankees
Amazing how a small rounded object can bring a superhuman athlete into man's most basic position.
Walk It Off
Hitter: Lou Marson
Pitcher: Gavin Floyd
Date: 5/27/2012
Game: Indians @ White Sox
He needed three stitches to clean up a bloody lip, but otherwise, he ate the pitch quite nicely.
His First Time
Hitter: Ryan Meury
Pitcher: Andrew White
Date: 8/16/2012
Game: New England @ West
In the video of the incident, the kid's cries are precious and very worthy of your pity.
Chad Billingsley's Empathy Feels Genuine
Hitter: Zack Cozart
Pitcher: Chad Billingsley
Date: 7/2/2012
Game: Reds @ Dodgers
Good to see a pitcher look pissed at himself and feel bad for his actions...for once.
Down For the Night
Hitter: Didi Gregorius
Pitcher: Josh Outman
Date: 4/27/2013
Game: Rockies @ Diamondbacks
Didi Gregorius suffered a contused right temple after the shot to the head, but all further neurological tests came back negative.
That's Why Cups Are So Necessary
Hitter: Delmon Young
Pitcher: N/A
Date: N/A
Game: N/A
Cups may be one of the most uncomfortable things a man can wear around, but goddamn are they important.
Yasiel Puig Eats One
Hitter: Yasiel Puig
Pitcher: Ian Kennedy
Date: 6/12/2013
Game: Diamondbacks @ Dodgers
Honestly, that looked so bad that Yasiel Puig had every right to soil himself (he didn't).
Violence Is A Two-Way Street
Hitter: N/A
Pitcher: N/A
Date: 8/16/2013
Game: Humboldt Crabs @ California Warriors
Now that's how you react, bro. Amateur baseball is freaking wild. The batter would get a 2-game suspension on top of his ejection.
Right On the Bone
Hitter: Will Rhymes
Pitcher: Franklin Morales
Date: 5/16/2012
Game: Red Sox @ Rays
Rhymes' forearm would be okay, but the real GIF here is Rhymes collapsing after taking his walk to first base. He'd leave the game on a cart, but didn't go to the hospital. According to Rhymes his "lights went out." Scary.
Taking It Like A Man
Hitter: Marty Joyce
Pitcher: N/A
Date: 2006
Game: Arizona @ Illinois
Gotta love how the kid walked around like, "Goddammit this hurts but I'm a tough little shit and a gangsta."
Hit the Deck!
Hitter: David Wright
Pitcher: Johnny Hellweg
Date: 9/26/2013
Game: Padres @ Mets
Fortunately, David Wright passed his concussion tests after being removed from the game.
Umpires Are People Too
Hitter: N/A
Pitcher: Tim Lincecum
Date: 7/14/2013
Game: Giants @ Padres
Those dudes don't get paid enough to get injured on the job like that.
Dust Yourself Off, Son
Hitter: Mark Reynolds
Pitcher: Jarrod Parker
Date: 5/7/2013
Game: A's @ Indians
Mark Reynolds must be one crazy dude. You're not supposed to pop back up like that after getting nailed in the face.
Jose Iglesias Stars in The Nutcracker
Hitter: Jose Iglesias
Pitcher: Danny Duffy
Date: 8/16/2013
Game: Royals @ Tigers
And THAT'S WHY you never open your stance when attempting a bunt.
It Hurts Just Watching This
Hitter: Jason Heyward
Pitcher: John Niese
Date: 8/21/2013
Game: Braves @ Mets
Jason Heyward suffered a broken jaw on the play. On the bright side, he's one of the only active baseball players who can listen to "Through The Wire" and earnestly understand Kanye's raps.