Who's Throwing Out Your 1st Pitch, Opening Day?

[2Chance]

Who is throwing out your first pitch for opening day?

This is an honor often given to dignitaries in a tradition going back to President William Howard Taft in 1910 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceremonial_first_pitch). During the season, you often get VIPs from various civic organizations or local politicos, but usually Opening Day gets someone from the upper echelon.

So who's yours? I haven't heard about ours, but I'm sure somebody will let us know!

[Disgruntaledmarinerfan]

At the Mariner's Home opener today, long time Mariner great Jay Buhner will throw out the first pitch. IIRC, that is.

[2Chance]

A Quick Google search brought the Yankees, who are giving the honor to Cory Lidle's son, Christopher:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2817990

Lidle's widow, Melanie, and his parents will also attend.

[redlegsfan21]

Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory. His pitch was so good it was on Baseball Tonight.

Reds owner Bob Castellini called in Extra Innings on 700 WLW to tell people that today was Mallory's birthday and fans should lay off of him. He was practicing before the game and wanted to re-throw is pitch.

[DownUnderDodger]

Dodgers 1st home game is not till the 9th of the month. I don't know who will be throwing the 1st pitch!

[redlegsfan21]

Ha Ha, found it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx6zsub-neU

[2Chance]

In Detroit: Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick threw out the first pitch.

The National Anthem was scheduled to be sung by the Four Tops, but they were running late on the way back from New Orleans, so Lori Couturier (http://loriadams.net/Home_Page.php) did the honors. She was slated to sing "O Canada" before the game anyway, so she did both. She also sang "God Bless America" during the 7th inning stretch, or at least that was the original plan. She has been performing at Tigers games since 1987 (http://loriadams.net/ANTHEMS.php).

By the way, she has posted about her experience singing for them on Opening Day in her blog (http://blog.loriadams.net/).

[brewcrew82]

Ha Ha, found it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx6zsub-neU

That's hilarious...I'm surprised all involved managed to keep a straight face throughout it all. The umpires seemed to be the only ones to give much of a response.

[wickedcurve093]

I'm not a yankee fan, but the Lidle family threw the first pitch at Yankee Stadium. Cory's wife and son.

[Cucamongadan]

Troy Percival, fresh from signing a minor league contract with the Halos so he could "retire as an Angel", did the honors at Angels stadium. In a pre-game interview he said he has been pitching to his Little League team from 38 feet.
He had Jose Molina get down in the crouch and threw a strike that the scoreboard radar gun display showed as 101. Then he went to the dugout after throwing his glove and jersey into the stands.

[redlegsfan21]

Mark Mallory talks about his pitch with Bill Cunningham. It will take a while to load.
http://a1135.g.akamai.net/f/1135/18227/1h/cchannel.download.akamai.com/18227/podcast/CINCINNATI-OH/WLW-AM/WILLIE0403HOUR2.mp3?CPROG=PCAST&MARKET=CINCINNATI-OH&NG_FORMAT=newstalk&SITE_ID=1209&STATION_ID=WLW-AM&PCAST_AUTHOR=700WLW&PCAST_CAT=Talk_Radio&PCAST_TITLE=Bill_Cunningham_On_Demand

[DownUnderDodger]

Ha Ha, found it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx6zsub-neU

Well he did throw it towards the Umpire!! :rofl:

[redlegsfan21]

There's a report on 700 WLW that the Mayor wants to prove himself and he may throw a future first pitch. Also, he will be on Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight.

[VTSoxFan]

Members of the '67 "Impossible Dream" team will do the honors in Boston next week, in honor of the 40th anniversary of that amazing season. :)