Over the course of Major League Baseball’s regular season, there are 2,430 games.
There isn’t a ceremonial first pitch thrown at all of ’em, but conservatively you have to figure that someone who isn’t a baseball player tosses from the rubber at around 500 MLB games per year.
Given that most of the time we don’t know about it, you’ve got to figure most people are actually half-decent at throwing a baseball 60.5 feet from the mound to home plate.
Sadly, the White Sox employee who tossed out the ceremonial first pitch at last night’s game in Chicago is not one of them.
Instead of hitting home with her throw, the unidentified “Employee of the Month” hit a team photographer who was perched at roughly a 45-degree angle from the mound.
"Now, the key to this game is keeping your eye on the ball." pic.twitter.com/qZKAt6GSKk
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 29, 2019
The photographer, Darren Georgia, said the pitch actually hit his camera, not his face, and he was unharmed.
“The camera is okay. I’m okay. I’m just shocked,” he said, adding, “I honestly didn’t even see it coming.”
Interestingly, the errant toss came almost five years to the day since 50 Cent also nailed a cameraman while tossing out the first pitch before a Mets game.
5 years ago today, 50 Cent threw a bad first pitch.
Like, real bad.https://t.co/bcdW8k44tl pic.twitter.com/zNtSslvAXt
— Cut4 (@Cut4) May 27, 2019
Of course, sometimes, it goes right.
Say what you want about him, but George W. Bush can throw a strike under pressure.
(2001) George Bush throwing out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium during game 3 of the World Series after the 9/11 attacks. pic.twitter.com/BZVnblVS1E
— Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) September 11, 2017
Editor’s Note: RealClearLife, a news and lifestyle publisher, is now a part of InsideHook. Together, we’ll be covering current events, pop culture, sports, travel, health and the world. Subscribe here for our free daily newsletter.
Whether you’re looking to get into shape, or just get out of a funk, The Charge has got you covered. Sign up for our new wellness newsletter today.