Garrett Wittels, Florida International University shortstop whose 56-game hitting streak ended Feb. 18, told the AP after the game that a pitch during his third at bat may have broken a bone in his hand.

Wittels reacted as though in great pain and he almost fell down after being hit by the ball.



He told AP reporter Tim Reynolds after the game that his left hand “might be broken, I’m not really sure.”

Wittels’ father is Dr. Michael Wittels, an orthopedic surgeon.

PR staff at the athletic and University PR departments of FIU have been asked to check whether Garrett Wittels does indeed have a broken hand.

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Wittels' father on ESPN.
He told Reynolds that failing to take first base after the umpire had waved him such a pass was his “worst moment ever” in baseball. He said he did not know what “went through his head” at the time that made him do such a “selfish” thing (declare that the ball hit the knob of the bat and not him).

Since Wittels’ 56-game hitting streak was on the line, more than 1,700 people filled the stands, far above the usual 200-300. ESPN cameras trained not only on the younger Wittels but on Dr. Wittels who could be seen lifting his eyes to the sky apparently in prayer at times and grimacing when Garrett Wittels made an out.

Dr. Wittels has taken an active part in training his son, building a batting cage in his back yard when Garrett was eight years old.

When Garrett developed a habit of pulling back from inside pitches, Dr. Wittels built a brick wall near the plate that prevented Garrett from moving back.