MLB player takes a 97 MPH fastball to the head and his helmet comes flying off

He is one lucky man.

Kolten Wong is one lucky man.

The St. Louis Cardinals second baseman was hit in the head with a 97 mile per  hour fast ball thrown by Cincinnati Reds' pitcher Luis Castillo. The force was so great his helmet came flying off ...

... and he got up and walked to first base.

Wong was wearing a  batting helmet with a mouth guard extension, and that's where the all hit. Without that extension, Wong would have not had that extra protection, and who know how bad he could have been injured.

"Right where the ear and the protector connects, it hit me right there," the infielder told reporters following the Cardinals' 4-1 win against the Cincinnati Reds. "If I don't have that, I'm spitting out teeth."