That time the Dodgers paused a game to look for Bill Sudakis' contact lens

Los Angeles Dodgers players and umpires as they search the Houston Astrodome turf for the lost contact lens of Dodger catcher Bill Sudakis on April 7, 1971. The lens was never found during the game stoppage so Sudakis had to retire from the game. (AP Photo/EFK) (EFK/AP)

By Ben Cosman

January 24, 2017

Baseball games can be momentarily paused for any number of reasons: Bird on the field, wardrobe change, the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years. Or, for matters that are a bit more personal. On April 7, 1971, the Dodgers-Astros game at the Astrodome was paused while the Dodgers looked -- really got on their hands and knees to dig around in the turf -- for catcher Bill Sudakis' contact lens.
It was Sudakis' first game of the season, but he didn't last long: After two plate appearances, he lost his contact lens and had to exit the game. The lens was never found, lost to the Astrodome turf, presumably forever.
That wasn't the first time Sudakis had trouble with his contacts, either. Allegedly, he spent his rookie season in 1968 wearing his lenses in the wrong eyes. But at least he got it straightened out and was able to string together an eight-year career in MLB.

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Los Angeles Dodgers