A Yankees bullpen catcher took Ben Rice’s grand slam off his head. The viral moment was planned

New York Yankees bullpen catcher Rainiero Coa went viral after deliberately letting Ben Rice's eighth-inning grand slam bounce off his helmet. The moment occurred in the bullpen during New York's 9-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium. Coa explained that the stunt had been pre-planned, noting he had spoken about doing it over the final two weeks of the regular season.

Coa had been warming up reliever John Schreiber before Rice hit the home run off Boston pitcher Brayan Bello. After deflecting the ball off his helmet without injury, Coa retrieved it and presented it to Rice. Bullpen coach Preston Claiborne called Coa a showman, comparing the stunt to former Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle. Coa, in his fourth season as bullpen catcher, previously managed a Dominican Summer League affiliate.