Rabies shots for Spur who batted bat

By PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune

Last update: November 3, 2009 - 8:38 AM

Print this story

More from Timberwolves

San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili has begun a series of rabies vaccine shots after swatting down a bat during Saturday Halloween night home victory over Sacramento.

"Yes, I am safe. I thought it was pretty fun at the time," Ginobili said to reporters shortly before practice Monday. "Now it is not."

Ginobili said his first round of shots gives him "12 CCs of vaccine in my body right now," and four more vaccination sessions yet to go.

The bat swooped onto the court late in the first period, scattering players and stopping play. It flew away, then returned, briefly. Ginobili knocked it down with a bare hand, picked it up and carried it off the court to thunderous cheers. A trainer then emerged to squirt sanitizer on Ginobili's hand.

Ginobili said he could feel the bat moving in his hand.

"I wasn't scared," Ginobili said. "I guess I misjudged the situation."

And the fate of the bat? "It flew away," he said, "so the bat won."

--Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482

Recent Timberwolves stories

LeBron hands out 15 assists as Cavaliers roll to 9th straight win, 105-89 over Grizzlies - November 3, 2009

LeBron hands out 15 assists as Cavaliers roll to 9th straight win, 105-89 over Grizzlies - LeBron James tied a career high with 15 assists and Shaquille O'Neal ruled underneath, collecting 13 points and 13 rebounds in 21 minutes to help the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the worn-down Memphis Grizzlies 105-89 on Tuesday night for their ninth straight victory. More