Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell allowed a home run after a batted ball struck his head during a game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night, August 22, 2026, at Angel Stadium [1, 2].
The play unfolded when Rockies first baseman TJ Rumfield hit a deep fly ball toward right-center field. Adell initially caught the ball in his glove, but it bounced off his forehead or hat and cleared the wall for a home run [1, 2].
The ball would have only been a home run at Angel Stadium; in 29 other Major League Baseball ballparks, it would have fallen short despite the help from Adell's head [1].
Adell acknowledged missing the play, saying, "I was toward the line, and I felt like I had a little bit longer way to go than I normally do on a route like that and just missed it. It hit off my hat. I don’t know if I overran it and took a step over. But it was kind of the icing on the cake because I was [bad] all the way around the whole day today" [2].
The event drew immediate comparisons to Jose Canseco's infamous home run off his head in May 1993 while playing for the Texas Rangers. Unlike Canseco's more pivotal moment, Adell's occurred in an 8-2 loss where the play had less impact on the outcome [1, 2].
Adell had previously made headlines this season by robbing three potential home runs in a single game. He also had a notable error in 2020 when a fly ball bounced out of his glove and over the wall, resulting in a four-base error [1, 2].
The Angels fell to the Rockies 8-2 in the game on August 22, marking a tough day for Adell both at the plate and in the field [1].
