Baseball is full of unpredictable moments, but Monday night’s New York Mets vs. Los Angeles Dodgers game delivered something truly unforgettable, an MLB umpire took a ball to the head and somehow turned it into a highlight.
In the fifth inning of the Mets’ 4-3 extra-inning win, Jeff McNeil tagged up from second base on a fly ball by Francisco Lindor. Dodgers outfielder Michael Conforto made a spectacular catch at the wall and quickly launched the ball toward second to try and double off McNeil.
The throw was strong but off-target. Second baseman Tommy Edman couldn’t handle it, and the ball bounced… directly off umpire Jansen Visconti’s head. Incredibly, the deflection sent the ball soaring straight up, only to land right back in Edman’s glove. Yes, really.
The Coolest MLB Umpire? Visconti’s Reaction Says Yes
Most MLB umpires would be shaken by taking a ball to the dome. Not Visconti. After absorbing the hit, he smiled, pointed to the outfield to signal he was OK, and even shared a laugh with Edman. Cameras caught the moment, and fans instantly fell in love with his laid-back, no-worries attitude.
The moment has since gone viral on social media, with fans calling Visconti the “coolest ump in baseball” and joking that he deserves a Gold Glove.
While the Mets eventually won in the 10th inning, this moment stole the show. Shohei Ohtani may have racked up two hits and a walk, but it was Visconti’s bounce-back that had fans buzzing.
Whether it’s elite plays, clutch hits, or umpires taking headshots with a smile, MLB always finds new ways to surprise us. And if there’s an All-Star vote for umps, Jansen Visconti just earned your vote.
