Dan Jennings is a former professional baseball pitcher who played in the major leagues for six seasons. He is best known for his remarkable recovery from a terrifying incident in 2014, when he was hit in the head by a line drive while pitching for the Miami Marlins.
Early Life and Career
Dan Jennings was born on April 17, 1987, in Berkeley, California. He grew up in West Des Moines, Iowa, where he attended Valley High School. He led his school’s baseball team to two state championships in 2004 and 2005, and earned All-State honors as a senior. He then went on to play college baseball for the Nebraska Cornhuskers of the University of Nebraska.
Jennings was drafted by the Marlins in the ninth round of the 2008 MLB draft. He made his professional debut that year for the Jamestown Jammers of the Class A-Short Season New York–Penn League. He quickly rose through the ranks of the minor leagues, reaching the Class AAA level in 2012. He was suspended for 50 games in 2010 for violating the minor league’s policy banning the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
The Marlins promoted Jennings to the major leagues on April 30, 2012, and he pitched a scoreless inning in relief in his debut that day. He became a reliable left-handed reliever for the Marlins, appearing in 108 games from 2012 to 2014.
The Line Drive Incident
On August 7, 2014, Jennings was pitching in relief against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. In the seventh inning, he faced Jordy Mercer, who hit a line drive that struck Jennings in the head. The ball was traveling at an estimated speed of 101 mph, according to ESPN. Jennings collapsed on the mound, clutching his head and writhing in pain. He was immediately attended by the trainers and his teammates, who feared the worst.
Jennings was conscious and able to talk, but he was clearly disoriented and confused. He was taken off the field on a stretcher and transported to a nearby hospital. He suffered a concussion and a contusion on his left temple, but miraculously avoided any fractures or bleeding in his brain. He later said that he did not remember anything from the moment he released the pitch until he woke up in the hospital.
Jennings spent two nights in the hospital and was placed on the seven-day concussion disabled list. He underwent several tests and evaluations to monitor his recovery. He said that he experienced headaches, dizziness, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound for several days after the incident.
Comeback and Retirement
Jennings returned to action on September 1, 2014, less than a month after being hit by the line drive. He pitched a scoreless inning against the New York Mets at Marlins Park, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd. He said that he felt no fear or hesitation on the mound, and that he was grateful to be able to play again.
Jennings continued his career as a reliever for four more seasons, playing for the Chicago White Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Milwaukee Brewers, and Washington Nationals. He appeared in 282 games from 2015 to 2019, posting a combined record of 14-15 with a 3.16 ERA. He retired from baseball after the 2019 season at the age of 32.
Jennings said that he was proud of his accomplishments and thankful for his opportunities in baseball. He also said that he hoped his story would inspire others who face adversity or challenges in life. He said that he learned to appreciate every day and every moment after surviving the line drive that could have ended his life or career.
According to Wikipedia, Jennings is currently working as an analyst for MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM. He is also involved in various charitable causes, such as raising awareness and funds for concussion research and prevention.
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