Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

Albert Almora Jr. hopes to have friendship with girl struck by foul ball

Originally posted on Sportress of Blogitude
By Jason Rowan | Last updated 5/30/19

Albert Almora Jr. has expressed a desire to strike up a lifelong friendship with the young girl struck by a foul ball off his bat during Wednesday’s game against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.

An understandably emotional Almora addressed the accident in the clubhouse after the Cubs’ 2-1 win.

“I’m speechless, at a loss for words. Being a father of two boys.” Albert Almora speaks after scary foul ball incident: https://t.co/wIl0a3TxAr pic.twitter.com/ONxuzw85jA
— NBC Sports Chicago (@NBCSChicago) May 30, 2019

The latest reports are favorable and indicate the young girl will recover from her injuries, and Almora hopes he’ll have the opportunity to establish a relationship with her that will last the rest of his life.

Cubs CF Albert Almora Jr: “All my teammates..everybody came out & tried to talk to me..Credit to (Wade) Miley. He came to me & tried to calm me down..God willing, I’ll be able to have a relationship with that little girl for the rest of my life” video courtesy @richardjustice pic.twitter.com/O95tjxon3A
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) May 30, 2019

Almora was left shaken up immediately after the incident occurred during the fourth inning. He was later inconsolable when checking on the status of the little girl, who was taken to the hospital after being struck by the line-drive foul hit into the stands along the third-base line.

Here is Albert Almora’s reaction as his foul ball struck a very young fan. A really horrific moment. Kids fall in love with the game of baseball after going to the ballpark and experiencing a Major League Baseball game. This shouldn’t happen. PRAYERS. pic.twitter.com/yOGfrqpmMF
— Cubs Live (@Cubs_Live) May 30, 2019

After Albert Almora Jr. struck a young fan with a foul ball, in between innings he went immediately over to that section to ask about the situation. You can see he is overwhelmed with emotion as him and the security guard have a moment. This is just a terrible & sad situation. pic.twitter.com/Yh3wWmDjhx
— Cubs Live (@Cubs_Live) May 30, 2019

Wednesday’s incident undoubtedly will renew calls for Major League Baseball to enact more policies that reinforce already-existing protocol that will better ensure the safety of fans attending games. Almora himself, not to mention some of his Cubs teammates, stressed something needs to be done to avoid such frightening incidents occurring at MLB ballparks.

This article first appeared on Sportress of Blogitude and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: