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The 10 worst first pitches ever, from Dr. Fauci to 50 Cent

The ceremonial first pitch of a baseball game is always a big moment, especially when celebrities are involved. When a celebrity’s first pitch goes woefully wrong, it’s all the more memorable. Here are the 10 worst first pitches ever by some of pop culture’s most recognizable names: 1 Anthony Fauci Washington Nationals vs. New York …

The ceremonial first pitch of a baseball game is always a big moment, especially when celebrities are involved. When a celebrity’s first pitch goes woefully wrong, it’s all the more memorable.

Here are the 10 worst first pitches ever by some of pop culture’s most recognizable names:

1

Anthony Fauci

Washington Nationals vs. New York Yankees on July 23, 2020


It was only appropriate for the country’s top infectious disease expert to throw out of the first pitch of a pandemic-impacted baseball season. And so Fauci, who has been a member of President Donald Trump’s Coronavirus Task Force, took the mound Thursday night to officially kick off a baseball season unlike any before. The 79-year-old wound up and hurled the ball just a bit – OK a lot – outside. Fauci threw up his hands in a shrug as Sean Doolittle chased after the ball, a fitting opening to an abnormal season.

2

50 Cent

New York Mets vs. Pittsburgh Pirates on May 27, 2014


The renowned rapper really had us all fooled when he put the ball behind his back and wound up his leg, mimicking a professional pitcher. It looked as though 50 Cent was about to throw a straight-as-an-arrow strike, but instead the ball soared so far left that fans in the stands behind home plate threw their arms up in disbelief.

3

Carly Rae Jepsen

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Houston Astros on July 15, 2013


To the “Call Me, Maybe” singer’s credit, she threw a strike for the first pitch at a Baltimore Orioles game earlier in the 2013 season. But her second first pitch attempt, however, wasn’t as successful. Jepsen seemed to have held on to the ball for too long and threw it directly into the ground. Footage of the failed first pitch quickly went viral.

4

Michael Jordan

Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants (one-game playoff) on September 28, 1998


For a guy who played a year of minor-league baseball, Michael Jordan’s first pitch was underwhelming. He came out to a lively crowd and took off the Cubs jacket he was wearing to reveal the Sammy Sosa jersey he had underneath. Jordan then threw the ball right over Sosa’s head.

5

Baba Booey (Gary Dell’Abate)

New York Mets vs. Pittsburgh Pirates on May 9, 2009


Dell’Abate, the executive producer of “The Howard Stern Show,” didn’t hit the ground or throw over the catcher during his ceremonial first pitch. He did, however, throw it right to the home-plate umpire who was standing off to the side. Baba Booey immediately turned around and bent over in complete and utter embarrassment.

6

John Wall

Washington Nationals vs. Baltimore Orioles on June 17, 2011


As the longtime Wizards point guard took the mound, announcers on the broadcast began to question whether Wall would be able to throw a baseball. The answer to their question was a resounding no. Wall’s throw emulated more of a bounce pass in basketball than it did a pitch. Winding his knee up, the former first-overall pick drilled the ball right into the ground. Former Nationals pitcher Drew Storen had to dive to the side to catch the ball on the hop.

7

Miss Texas 2014 Monique Evans

Texas Rangers vs. Los Angeles Angels on August 17, 2014


The then-22-year-old Monique Evans took the mound in her pageant crown and all. Evans, a former ballerina, then appeared to step into an arabesque as the baseball rolled off her fingertips and, well, rolled down the mound. But she held her pose for a moment, leg in the air and everything, as the ball made its way to home plate.

8

Mariah Carey

Yomiuri Giants and the Rakuten Eagles on May 28, 2008


The record-selling artist was escorted out to the mound at the Tokyo Dome by two mascots. She was sporting a pair of massive high heels and classic-2000s sunglasses. Carey didn’t have much power behind her throw and so it ultimately fell not even halfway to the catcher. It must’ve been the heels…

9

Snoop Dogg

San Diego Padres vs. Atlanta Braves on June 9, 2016


The rapper was another one who looked like he knew what he was doing when he took the mound. Winding up and stepping back before lifting his leg like the professionals do, Snoop ripped one so far outside a few camera operators and fans had to move out of the way. The power was there. The aim, not so much.

10

Carl Lewis

Seattle Mariners vs. Anaheim Angels on June 18, 2003


The nine-time Olympic sprint and long jump gold medalist’s first pitch was about as good as his national anthem rendition 10 years earlier. Lewis managed to get the ball to home plate unlike some others who have thrown out the first pitch, but only after about six bounces or so. Embarrassed at his first attempt, Lewis demanded a retry and ultimately got a solid first pitch in.

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