J.J. McCarthy, the new Minnesota Vikings quarterback, recently threw the first pitch at a Minnesota Twins game, and it didn’t go as planned. Despite being known for his accuracy on the football field, McCarthy’s pitch sailed over the outer edge of the batter’s box. The crowd and the stadium’s organist reacted with disappointment, making it clear that McCarthy’s pitch was one of the worst ever seen.
Surprisingly, McCarthy wasn’t the only Vikings rookie to struggle with their first pitch that day. Dallas Turner, another first-round pick, also had a rough time. Turner’s pitch ended up in the netting behind home plate, adding to the embarrassment for the Vikings duo.
While McCarthy and Turner’s pitches may not have been as bad as some other memorable first pitches in history, such as 50 Cent’s infamous toss in 2014, they still drew attention for all the wrong reasons. Other celebrities like DJ Steve Aoki, Mariah Carey, and Carly Rae Jepsen have also had their fair share of embarrassing first pitch moments.
Despite the criticism they may face, it’s important to note that throwing a bad first pitch doesn’t necessarily reflect their abilities in their respective sports. Many professional athletes, including Michael Jordan and Travis Kelce, have had their own share of first pitch blunders over the years.
As McCarthy and Turner look ahead to their upcoming NFL season with the Vikings, fans can only hope that their first pitch mishaps are not a sign of things to come on the football field. McCarthy is expected to play a key role in replacing Kirk Cousins as the team’s quarterback, while Turner aims to make an impact as the team deals with the loss of star edge rusher Danielle Hunter.
While a bad first pitch may not have any real implications for their performance on the field, it certainly provided some entertainment for fans and added to the list of memorable first pitch moments in sports history. As the Vikings rookies continue to prepare for the upcoming season, their first pitch blunders will likely be a fun anecdote to look back on as they embark on their NFL careers.