You’ve seen 50 Cent’s absolutely awful first pitch from Citi Field last week — if not, please, take a second — or read some of his creative excuses.
But failed celebrity pitches like Fitty’s are stale compared to the mound cameos cropping up at ballparks around the country. Now all manner of animals and movie characters are trying their hands (paws?) at one of baseball’s ceremonial traditions.
From prehistory to a galaxy far, far away, here are some of the most out-there stunt first pitches we’ve seen:
RoboCop
The delivery is a bit, ahem, robotic.
Hero Cat
This pitch barely went four feet — get it? — but who cares? This California cat is an all-time “saves” leader after rescuing a boy from being attacked by a dog.
Darth Vader/Chewbacca
These are not the fastballs you’re looking for.
Baby T-Rex
Petco Park or Jurassic Park? Rather than short-arming it, T-Rex goes for the old (really old) full-windup jaw-throw.
Cirque du Soleil/rhythmic gymnast
That’s Shin Soo-ji of South Korea on the second pitch. Has to be a balk move, right?