Orioles announcer Ben McDonald shares update from hospital after falling 25 feet out of deer stand

Announcer Ben McDonald was not on the call on Friday night as the Baltimore Orioles began the second half of their season against the Tampa Bay Rays. During the game, McDonald shared on social media that he was in the hospital after falling 25 feet out of a deer stand on Thursday morning.

As a result of the fall, he sustained a concussion and two cracked vertebrae. McDonald also noted, “I still don’t remember anything,” but said he would be back in the broadcast booth soon, while also thanking everyone for their well wishes and the doctors for their work.

Along with detailing what happened, McDonald, who is in good spirits and optimistic about his recovery, shared a video on X (formerly Twitter) of himself in the hospital, with people explaining what happened to him.

This is what a severe concussion looks like and sounds like!🤦‍♂️ (I still don’t remember anything) Apparently I fell out of a deer stand 25 feet up yesterday morning….I’m fine and appreciate everyone checking on me. Very lucky….concussion and 2 cracked vertebra’s….I’ll be back… pic.twitter.com/uvczgV1uOq

— Ben McDonald (@realbenmcdonald) July 19, 2025

During Friday’s game, announcers Ben Wagner and Jim Palmer talked about McDonald’s accident and sent their well wishes to him.

Ben Wagner and Jim Palmer sent their best wishes to fellow Orioles announcer Ben McDonald.

McDonald is on the mend after falling 25 feet out deer stand on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/d2oevgkZZp

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 19, 2025

Certainly, McDonald has felt better. That said, it could have been a lot worse. It’s good to see him in good spirits and as Wagner and Palmer noted, it’s good that McDonald’s outlook is bright enough that they can joke about it.