“It Was the Worst Thing I’d Ever Seen”: The Oral History of 50 Cent’s Disastrous First Pitch

Jon Niese (pitcher, New York Mets): I assumed I had heard by means of the grapevine that he was an athlete again within the day in highschool or no matter. 

50 Cent (to MLB.com): I performed slightly bit rising up. However not on any groups or something like that.

By way of a spokesperson, 50 Cent declined to remark for this story.

Niese: I had heard he warmed up slightly bit and threw a couple of. However nerves will need to have obtained to him.

David Wright (third baseman, New York Mets): Nerves is an actual factor. I’ve thrown out a few first pitches — and I used to do that for a residing — and I obtained nervous throwing out a primary pitch. And secondly, I’ve seen the perfect NBA gamers, NFL gamers, even quarterbacks throw out first pitches and appear like they’ve by no means picked up a baseball earlier than. Simply since you’re an amazing athlete doesn’t translate all that effectively to throwing a baseball.

Curtis Granderson (outfielder, New York Mets): Particularly for grownup males, it’s the worst alternative, since you’re speculated to throw a strike. So for those who do, OK, nice, you have been speculated to. However if you mess it up, then all the eye is on you. So I counsel individuals, for those who get requested to do it, have your little one do it, have a good friend do it. You don’t do it. 

Dontrelle Willis (former MLB pitcher): On my bobblehead day, I had my 10-year-old do it. True story. I wished no a part of that.

Josh Lewin (radio broadcaster, New York Mets): Go forward and skip one, go forward and sail one. That doesn’t benefit something. I don’t care who you’re. For those who’re the President of the USA or a sitcom star, you’re allowed to throw one three toes vast, allowed to throw one within the dust, and no person reacts. As a result of it’s powerful. It’s more durable than you assume. You notice you get one shot at this, and all people’s watching and you are feeling abruptly unnatural. 

Josh Harrison (infielder, Pittsburgh Pirates): You possibly can go into the cage or bullpen and follow as a lot as you need, nevertheless it’s a unique animal if you’re on the market. In Pitt, Mike Tyson threw out the primary pitch one time, and I keep in mind our backup catching saying he was within the cage for an hour and a half making an attempt to determine methods to throw it. 

Gary Cohen (New York Mets play-by-play announcer, SNY): What I don’t know is what [50’s] pre-pitch preparation was like. I don’t know if he went on the market chilly or whether or not he had practiced.

Recker: I keep in mind somebody telling me that he was within the bullpen warming up. He practiced slightly bit. 

Marc Levine (New York Mets photographer, to MLB Cut4): He was throwing effectively. I can’t say one hundred pc that he was throwing strikes. Nothing was actually going astray, the place, you realize, it was like, “Cowl your head.” His kind was good: He kinda throws about 3/4, not excessive, comes sidearm slightly bit. Appeared like he was able to go when he was known as upon to do it.