Birds congregate on the baseline Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Diamondbacks involved in another bird-related tragedy

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 5/17/23

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen has something in common with Hall of Famer Randy Johnson. They are both bird murderers.

Throwing a side session Wednesday ahead of his team's contest with the Oakland Athletics, Gallen brought down a poor, unsuspecting bird with a curveball.

Zac Gallen really hit a bird with a curveball. pic.twitter.com/T6XOZudoMH
— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) May 17, 2023

The unfortunate incident comes nearly 22 years after Johnson's bird run-in. However, while Johnson's bird homicide scarred spectators for life during a spring training tilt, Gallen's incident Wednesday would've gone largely unseen at the empty Oakland Coliseum without the cameras from Bally Sports Arizona.

Only a few weeks ago, the Diamondbacks paid tribute to the bird fallen by Johnson. After Wednesday's tragic event, the team has another sad, bird-related anniversary to celebrate.

"We had a funeral for a bird."

22 years ago today. pic.twitter.com/zmxxO20yVl
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) March 24, 2023

Hopefully, Gallen isn't too shaken by the bird's passing and he can focus on his next start Friday, on the road against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Gallen's fifth season in Arizona is off to a stellar beginning. So far, he's 6-1 through nine outings with a 2.35 ERA, second in the National League behind Atlanta Braves' Bryce Elder (1.94) and San Francisco Giants' Alex Cobb (1.94).

The 27-year-old has earned wins in six of his last seven starts and is coming off his longest outing of the season, pitching 7 2/3 innings in a 7-2 win over the Giants.

More must-reads: