Rays’ Pete Fairbanks got a black eye from dunking on his son

Tampa Bay Rays reliever Pete Fairbanks is sporting a pretty nasty black eye, but the explanation for the injury is a hilarious one.

Fairbanks revealed that he got the injury while slam dunking on his 3-year-old son in a swimming pool, and had a great way of retelling the story.

Pete Fairbanks returns from the IL with a black eye, but don't worry, he didn't lose a fight… He dunked 🏀 on a 3-year-old…@RaysBaseball | #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/Ytp0UO8PQe

— Bally Sports Sun: Rays (@BallyRays) June 15, 2023

“We were playing in our pool and I pulled the pool basketball hoop down on my face after dunking on a 3-year-old to kind of teach him an early lesson in life, that when you’re in the paint you cannot be caught unawares underneath the rim,” Fairbanks said. “Did that end up with me with a black eye? Yes. It was fun. My wife has been making fun of me about it, as has pretty much everybody here.”

Fairbanks did add that he had no regrets, mostly because the ball went through the hoop.

You will see a fully healthy Pete Fairbanks today — just with a black eye.

Why?

“I dunked on my 3 year old in the pool. Pulled the hoop down onto my face. I was trying to teach him an early lesson in life that when you’re in the paint you cannot be caught unaware.

Did it end… https://t.co/unUGJJDiqK

— Tricia Whitaker (@TriciaWhitaker) June 15, 2023

There is precedent for pitchers working despite having a black eye, but this is definitely one of the funnier explanations for this kind of injury. Hopefully the 3-year-old learned the intended lesson.

Fairbanks has been excellent for the Rays at the back of the bullpen this year, posting a 1.54 ERA in 13 appearances.