Minor Leaguer wears trash-can lid as helmet to protect himself in the dugout, gets hit

The El Paso Chihuahuas and the Las Vegas 51s could dedicate their entire lives to recreating the events of Thursday's Pacific Coast League action, because the events that occurred are that strange and statistically improbable. 

Johnny Monell -- a catcher for the 51s -- was hanging out in the dugout watching a teammate hit when he had to dive out of the way of a sharp line drive that was fouled into the dugout. Monell got out of the way just in time, allowing a dugout trash can to take the hit instead.

After his brush with his own mortality, Monell took the lid of the wounded trash can and placed it on his head as though it were a helmet, so as to protect himself from future foul balls that might enter the dugout. And, on the very next pitch, a foul ball came screaming into the dugout and hit the lid that Monell was wearing as protection.

In case you missed that, here it is again:

Better safe than sorry, folks. Better safe than sorry.