Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon

Geddy Lee To Throw Out First Pitch

By April Whitzman, @Alleycat17

Any baseball fan would love to throw out the ceremonial first pitch of a Home Opener.

But for Canadian Geddy Lee, this wish is becoming a reality as he will get the honor Tuesday night, when the Toronto Blue Jays open their season against the Cleveland Indians.

Lee is the lead vocalist, keyboardist and bassist for the band Rush. Since the band was formed in Toronto in 1968 with group mates Neil Peart and Alex Lifeson, they have produced hundreds of songs and have become synonymous with Rock and Roll. Their success has been apparent all over the world, enabling them to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 18.

While that accomplishment is incredibly impressive, Lee’s musical ability is not the sole reason he was privileged with throwing out the first pitch – as it is also because he shares a love of baseball.

Lee has huge respect for the Negro Leagues. On June 5, 2008, the musician made one of the largest contributions ever received by Negro League baseball, donating nearly 200 autographed baseballs including those from Hank Aaron, Cool Papa Bell, and Lionel Hampton to name a few.

Additionally, Lee has been a long-time fan of the Blue Jays, attending hundreds of games throughout the years and loving the team through the good and the bad. He can frequently be spotted in his season tickets seats a few rows behind home plate, cheering each time the ‘Boys in Blue’ cross home plate. He even proudly admits that his favourite game is Game 6 of the 1992 World Series in Atlanta, where he watched the Blue Jays capture a long-awaited World Series championship.

For Geddy Lee and other remaining Blue Jays’ fans, let’s hope that the team is able to capture another long-awaited World Series Championship in 2013. Until then, let’s hope that Lee’s pitch is as good in the home opener, as his pitch is during each Rush song.