15 Iconic Celebrity First Pitches in MLB History

By Ace Vincent | Published 7 months ago

The ceremonial first pitch is baseball’s quirky handshake with the world outside the ballpark. Sometimes it’s sharp and impressive, other times it’s a total train wreck. Either way, these moments give celebrities a chance to stand on the same ground as legends—and in doing so, often reveal more about them than a hundred interviews ever could. Here’s a list of fifteen unforgettable first pitches that fans still talk about years later.

50 Cent

The rapper’s 2014 pitch at Citi Field swerved into meme history when the baseball veered far left, missing home plate by a mile. It nearly clipped a photographer instead of reaching the catcher. 50 Cent later joked that he did it on purpose, just to avoid looking too serious.
Nobody really bought it. The internet, of course, turned it into endless remix material.

Carly Rae Jepsen

At Tampa Bay in 2013, the “Call Me Maybe” singer bounced her throw so short that it dribbled toward the plate like a stray beach orb. Her form was more playful toss than pitching mechanics.
Still, she leaned into the laughter, posting jokes about it afterwards—proof she could take the ribbing with charm.

Barack Obama

Obama threw several ceremonial pitches during his presidency, but his 2009 World Series appearance at Yankee Stadium was the standout. Wearing a White Sox jacket, he fired a strike with the poise of someone who’d clearly logged hours on a diamond.
His delivery? Smooth. His follow-through? Textbook. The crowd saw not just a politician, but an athlete.

John Wall

The NBA star’s 2014 attempt at Nationals Park went airborne and veered into “wild pitch” territory, skimming way high and wide. Fans laughed, but Wall’s expression showed he knew exactly how bad it was.
The funny thing is, pro athletes from other sports often do worse than actors or singers—the weight of expectation seems heavier on their shoulders.

Gary Dell’Abate

Howard Stern’s longtime producer delivered a 2009 Citi Field pitch so disastrous it earned its own title: “Baba Booey’s Wild Pitch.” The baseball rocketed high and left, landing in infamy.
Howard and the crew squeezed months of comedy out of it. Baba Booey became shorthand for “legendary fail.”

George W. Bush

Bush’s pitch at the 2001 World Series, weeks after 9/11, remains one of the most powerful symbolic acts in baseball history. Wearing a FDNY jacket at Yankee Stadium, he delivered a perfect strike with the weight of a nation on his shoulders.
Derek Jeter had whispered a warning not to bounce it—or risk boos. Bush nailed it, no bounce, under unimaginable pressure.

Mariah Carey

Tokyo Dome, 2006. The pitch itself? Forgettable. The presentation? Pure Mariah. She stepped out in heels and glam, treating the mound like a stage.
It was less about baseball, more about the spectacle. And yes, she somehow made it look like a fashion editorial.

Carl Lewis

The Olympic icon’s 1993 Astrodome pitch reminded everyone that sprinting prowess doesn’t equal pitching talent. His throw dribbled weakly short of the plate, barely making it there.
Even so, Lewis smiled it off. Proof that world-class athletes can look just as awkward as the rest of us when the skill set doesn’t match.

Jordan Leandre

In 2012, seven-year-old Jordan Leandre lit up Fenway Park with a flawless strike and a dance that went instantly viral. He wasn’t a household name, but his swagger earned him internet stardom.
Sometimes, kids outshine the pros. This was one of those times.

Randy Johnson

When the Hall of Famer stepped back onto the mound in 2015 at Chase Field, fans expected perfection. He delivered exactly that—an effortless strike, years after retirement.
Real pitchers never lose it. Johnson proved why they called him “The Big Unit.”

Sister Mary Jo

A 60-year-old nun in full habit stunned the crowd at Busch Stadium in 2014 with a pitch straight over the plate. Her form was crisp, her joy infectious.
The standing ovation said it all. Baseball, it turns out, has saints too.

Mark Wahlberg

At Fenway in 2014, Wahlberg’s pitch was respectable, but what stood out was his obvious nervousness—and pride. Dressed in Red Sox gear, he looked like a kid living out a dream.
The throw mattered less than the connection to his city.

Simone Biles

The Olympic gymnast’s 2016 pitch at Minute Maid Park was as controlled as one of her vaults. She snapped into form, delivered a strike, and looked utterly at ease.
Balance, coordination, power—everything she’s known for translated to the mound beautifully.

Snoop Dogg

Dodger Stadium, 2009: Snoop strolled in, hyped up the crowd, and lobbed a pitch that was better than expected. Not perfect, but respectable.
And of course, he did it with his trademark calm, like throwing a pitch was just another beat in his set.

William Shatner

At 76 years old, Shatner gave the Dodger Stadium crowd a mix of ham and hustle in 2007. His pitch was solid, his wind-up theatrical, his celebration pure Captain Kirk.
Accuracy matters, sure—but personality? That’s what sticks.

Beyond the Mound

These pitches show why the ritual endures: the field welcomes everyone, from rappers to presidents to nuns. Sometimes the baseball finds the glove, sometimes it doesn’t. But the memories last, because baseball has always been about more than just the score.

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