Yesterday (May 27), 50 Cent showed up at the New York Mets’ Citi Field and threw one of the worst ceremonial first pitches in recent memory.
While 50 looked like he could hold his own on the mound – wearing a personalized Mets jersey with “Jackson” printed on the back – the pitch left his hand and took a sharp left on its way to home plate, almost taking out a camera man.
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But, should musicians be expected to be masters on the mound? Sure, they’re used to performing in front of large audiences, but throwing a strike from the pitcher’s mound on a Major League-sized field is easier said than done. To prove that 50 Cent isn’t the only musician to have had troubles on the mound, here are five other less-than-awe-inspiring first pitches at baseball games.
Mariah Carey threw one of the worst first pitches of all-time in 2011, but at least she didn’t have to do it in her own country. Pitching in the Tokyo Dome, Carey let loose a pitch that couldn’t have been airborne for more than a few feet, though it at least traveled in the direction of home plate – more than others on this list could muster. It must have been the heels…
Musicians Throw The First Pitch: Photos
Getting ready to throw out the first pitch at a Tampa Bay Rays game, the “Call Me Maybe” singer planned to give herself a head start, not expecting to be able to throw all the way to home plate. But after some encouragement from Rays pitcher Matt Moore, the singer decided to throw off the mound, a full 60 feet and six inches from home plate. Carly Rae bounced the throw a few feet from the mound at a left angle and made herself internet famous in July 2013 for reasons other than her singing career. At least she was able to laugh it off like a pro.
Two members of the K-pop group Girls Generation – Tiffany and Jessica – have had troubles throwing out the first pitch, the former in Los Angeles and the latter in Korea. Check out the video above and judge for yourself.
Avril Lavigne
There must be some sort of bad mojo at the Tampa Bay Rays’ Tropicana Field for first pitch-throwing musicians. At the same site of the Carly Rae Jepsen debacle, Avril Lavigne tossed one of the weakest first pitches you’ll ever see, even with a big head start towards home plate. Still, we’ve heard skateboarding is more her thing…
Bieber finds himself at the end of the list, as his try was easily the most respectable in the bunch. Looking back on this pitch at Chicago’s U.S. Cellular Field, Bieber probably wishes he could have done better than this high and outside lollipop that was just barely in the range of the catcher. This was from way back in 2010, so we’re thinking he’d fare much better now at age 20.