Who's throwing out the Opening Day first pitch at your local ballpark?
We did it, everyone! Opening Day is almost here. Spring Training is nearly over and the Hot Stove has been shut down.
Real baseball is next, months and months of glorious baseball. Besides, you know, the return of baseball, this means there will be a lot of ceremonial first pitches in the next few days. Fifteen, to be exact. Who are all these wannabe hurlers? Well, a few remain shrouded in mystery but here's a who's-who and a what-to-expect for those already announced:
The Athletes
White Sox: Bo Jackson
Jackson, one of the greatest athletes who ever lived, was elected to the NFL Pro Bowl the year after he was named the MLB All-Star Game MVP. In college, he participated in one of the most famous plays in Auburn University history: "Bo over the top." He spent three seasons with the White Sox, making it to the 1993 ALCS before losing to Toronto. Needless to say, we're expecting good things.
Astros: JJ Watt
"JJ Swat" is the monstrous Houston Texans defensive end best known for his skill at batting down pass attempts. Football wasn't his only love, though. The Wisconsin native grew up playing hockey, before abandoning it to focus on baseball. Watt was named all-conference on the diamond during his sophomore season in high school, but ultimately deciding to pursue football.
While he doesn't yet have Jackson's professional resume, Watt is much younger and should at least make it over the plate.
Braves: Chipper Jones
Larry Wayne only retired like six months ago, making him the most likely name on this list to deliver a legitimate strike.
Reds: Joe Torre
This might be the most interesting first pitch storyline of the week: Torre, who played for three franchises and managed three others, throws out the first pitch before a game for a team he's never been a part of. However, Torre was the TV color commentator for the California Angels (Reds will be taking on the modern day version of the Halos) from 1985-'90. Of course, Torre is now MLB's Executive Vice President for Baseball Operations, so he's likely also on hand to commemorate the first-ever interleague Opening Day matchup.
Yankees: Lou Piniella
Sweet Lou is entrenched in Yankees lore, playing for the Bombers from 1974-'84, managing the team in '86 and '87 and picking up a couple World Series rings along the way. Is it weird that Piniella is throwing out the first pitch in the Bronx while Torre is in Cincy - where Piniella won the '90 title? Yes. On the bright side, Sweet Lou can provide some outfield depth for the Yankees while he's there.
Rays: Don Zimmer
Zimmer enjoyed a solid career from 1954-'65, but he's become so much more than just a light-hitting infielder in the five decades since. He's been managing and coaching since the early '70s. He was the third-base coach when Carlton Fisk's famously waved his game-winning home run fair in 1975. He managed the Yankees during a Joe Torre leave of absence in 1999, going 21-15. He got into an actual, physical fight with Pedro Martinez. Don Zimmer has seen it all. His first pitch will be just fine.
Brewers: James Beckum
Negro Leagues veteran Beckum founded the Beckum-Stapleton Little League in 1964 to provide a productive after-school activity for kids in inner-city Milwaukee. He's still involved today, and he'll be accompanied to the mound by two of his young ballplayers.
Mets: Rusty Staub
Ladies and gentlemen ..."Le Grand Orange." Staub served two different stints at Shea Stadium, but is probably better known for his 1972-75 run -- a time in which he lead the Mets to a 1973 National League championship. The All-Star outfielder hit three home runs in the NLCS against Cincinnati and batted .423 with six RBIs during the World Series. A Mets Hall of Famer, Staub has also founded numerous charitable organizations and raised money for causes in New York City and the surrounding Tri-State area.
Diamondbacks: Brandon Webb
Webb was one of the best pitchers in the Majors from 2006-'08. The right-hander won the NL Cy Young Award in '06, was voted onto three straight All-Star teams and helped the D-backs win the '07 NL West Division crown. He's also second in franchise history in wins (87), strikeouts (1,065) and innings pitched (1,319 2/3).
The Incredible People
Twins: Tom Decker's family
Cold Spring, Minn. police officer Tom Decker was killed in the line of duty in December, and his family will throw out the first pitch at Target Field on Monday. Decker's was a leader in his town, and his family's participation in the ceremonial start to the season is a fitting tribute to his heroic legacy and a beautiful show of support in the Minnesota community.
Nationals: Clint Romesha
There are heroes, and then there is Clint Romesha. The former U.S. Army staff sergeant served four tours of duty from 1999-2011 in Kosovo, Iraq (twice) and Afghanistan. Romesha received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the Medal of Honor for his bravery and sacrifice during a 2009 battle in Afghanistan. While wounded, the California native helped his small outpost fend off an army of 300 Taliban fighters with air strikes, quick-thinking and precision fire. Romesha is just the 11th person to receive the Medal of Honor for the War on Terrorism.
The Musicians
Blue Jays: Geddy Lee
Fly By Night might be the name of Rush's second album, but it definitely doesn't describe frontman Geddy Lee's Blue Jays fandom. The Toronto native and recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee is a season ticket holder at Rogers Centre and he's also a very serious fantasy baseball player. He's followed his team's offseason maneuvers closely and while his actually throwing talent is unclear, if his right hand can play the bassline from "Digital Man," I think it can throw a baseball 60 feet, six inches.
Athletics: ISA
For the Athletics and their fans, the "Bernie" blew up in 2012 with the magnitude of "Gangnam Style" and "Harlem Shake" rolled into one. The phenomenon has morphed from fans dancing to the original song to the man who played the role in "Weekend at Bernie's" throwing out the first pitch to a Bernie-ing bobblehead (bobbletorso?) of Coco Crisp being produced. It'll all come full circle when ISA -- who made the song in the first place -- arrives at the Coliseum to throw the first pitch. And maybe -- this is a totally wild guess, mind you -- do a little movin' like Bernie himself.
**Note: The Dodgers and Pirates have yet to announce who will be throwing their Opening Day first pitches, but Larry King did tweet that something tremendous would be happening at Chavez Ravine.
-- Dakota Gardner, Dan Wohl and Matt Monagan / MLB.com