Another day, another MLB record, but this time it’s not made by an athlete but by a comedian. Yes, you heard it right: childhood cancer survivor and NY comedian Eitan Levine has set a world record for ceremonial first pitches thrown in a single season. Amazing, isn’t it? Well, one can say it’s a sweet bonus for Eitan Levine, as he has dedicated this year to visiting both Minor League and Major League Baseball stadiums and raising funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation along the way.

On Wednesday afternoon, before his favorite team, the Mets, faced the Orioles, his efforts were rewarded. He threw what was officially his 40th ceremonial first pitch of the year. This wasn’t just a huge achievement for Eitan Levine—it was a big moment for the league, too, as the non-athlete set the Guinness World Record for the most ceremonial first pitches thrown in a single year. And his reaction to the new record? Well, priceless.

How did Eitan Levine react to this new record?

Eitan Levine was over the moon, not just about breaking the record but also about the special place and timing. “I could not be more happy. I’m a huge Mets fan, so I like the fact that the stars aligned. I got to break the record in one of my favorite buildings in the world, which means a lot.” Well, this has undoubtedly been a very crazy summer for the comedian, who has been constantly traveling from one place to another. Reflecting on his journey, he admitted, “sleeping in airport hotels that were $30 a night, sleeping in my car, and driving everywhere. It has been a crazy journey.”

But why is he on the run? Well, however crazy the journey may sound to you, the sweater is the motivation behind it, as he is doing all of this to raise funds for Make-A-Wish. A childhood cancer survivor, Levine wants to give back to the organization that helped him and is very close to his heart. Growing up, the foundation helped him meet Mets legend Benny Agbayani and hockey players from the New York Rangers, and he still holds the experience very close to his heart. “It was so fitting to pick a charity like Make-A-Wish. It’s a charity like this that gives cancer kids a break from the chaos, and that is medical treatment.” It definitely does!

And Eitan isn’t the only one who’s benefited from the Make-A-Wish and MLB partnership over the years. This collaboration has supported countless young patients, making dreams come true for many. It’s such a heartwarming thought.

Make-A-Wish and MLB partnerships over the years

Can you believe it’s been over 40 years since Major League Baseball and its teams teamed up with Make-A-Wish? Since 1980, they’ve been making magic happen by granting wishes for kids, donating tickets, and raising funds for local chapters. Every year, Make-A-Wish helps children with critical illnesses find the strength and joy they need to tackle their challenges. It’s incredible to see sports heroes supporting these real-life warriors, isn’t it?

Just like every year, this tradition continued this year as well, with five incredible kids being honored at the Make-A-Wish welcome reception to kick off the All-Star festivities. Steven T. (16) and Steven L. (11) from Troy, Ill.; Tyler S. (17) from Park Ridge, Ill.; Devan H. (15) from Demarest, N.J.; and Holden S. (11) from Toronto all had their moment in the spotlight. One of the kids, Steven T., couldn’t hide his excitement. He said,

“I didn’t know what else to choose, and I feel like baseball is what I love the most. Anything else wouldn’t have been as cool as this.” It wasn’t just about the kids either; their families were treated like VIPs at the Capital One All-Star Village, Play Ball Park, and even the MLB Draft.

Coming back to Eitan, thanks to his run, he has already raised $2,500 for the kids. And if you think the excitement is going to slow down after 40 ceremonial first pitches, think again! Eitan’s set to throw 11 more before the season wraps up. Next week, he’ll be on the mound at Canal Park for his next pitch. It sounds like there’s still a lot of excitement ahead—what do you think about his ongoing commitment?