When sporting worlds collide, the fans rejoice. While baseball may remain a staple of the American sporting diet, basketball has fast become popular nationwide. And the St. Louis Cardinals made sure that they grabbed the opportunity as it presented itself in their game against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday.
The Cardinals are lagging in the NL Central. With only 47 wins against 61 losses this season, the fans have yet to have the most incredible opportunity to cheer their team on. But applause rang through the ballpark as an NBA superstar graced the ballpark to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
NBA Star Makes His Way to the Cardinal’s Home Arena
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Jayson Tatum, the star point guard for the Boston Celtics, is no stranger to the St. Louis Cardinals. Being native to St. Louis, his appearance from the mound was heavily appreciated by the Cardinals’ faithful. They rang out in applause as the NBA star fired a delivery to home plate to start the game. With his son in tow, fans were thrilled to catch a glimpse of the pair.
St. Louis native and NBA superstar @jaytatum0 delivers a strike!
(MLB x @SiriusXM) pic.twitter.com/yaocAnZUQc
— MLB (@MLB) August 1, 2023
When looking at Tatum’s NBA gameplay, the NBA star wrapped up the season with some disappointment. After being touted for the pennant, the Celtics eventually fell to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. The star, though, is making the most of his off-season.
Few days back before Tatum made a quick appearance at the mound, he surprised people at a dinner with a friend from his alma mater.
Surprise dinner guest straight off the PJ 💙💙💙💙💙💙 @jaytatum0 #TheBrotherhood 😈 pic.twitter.com/TuF5f2Le0R
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) July 30, 2023
Sporting the Cardinals’ iconic sky blue jerseys, the pitcher made his way to the mound and fired one in to home plate, making commentators even call it a strike.
Fans React to Hometown Favorite Jayson Tatum
The St. Louis native is, needless to say, a Cardinals fan. And the fans were happy to see him out on the diamond and away from the hardwood for once. On social media, Celtics fans and Cardinals fans all came together to show their love and appreciation for the star.
Let's go Cards. Love those jerseys!
— Crypto Hawkeye (@CryptoHawkeye1) August 2, 2023
Some fans even took to the star as they would have a baseball player. Some even took it as far as suggesting Tatum should pitch as a part of the Cardinals’ rotation. Maybe in part down to their losing record this season, Cardinals fans seemed more excited about the star’s return than they were about the game.
Better than any pitch Cardinals pitchers have thrown this year
— Cody Leggett (@Cornbred48) August 2, 2023
Best pitcher to wear a Cardinals jersey this year
— . (@LeadoffDuran) August 2, 2023
Delivers a strike and dont show shit🤭
— JokesOnYou (@QuantStacker) August 2, 2023
Other fans went a different route. Choosing instead to bring in their baseball beefs to be settled into it all. With the point guard on the Celtics roster and out to rule the East, the debates have never ceased with comparisons in the short term.
Curry better
— Jonah Bride Enjoyer (@Swingingreen279) August 2, 2023
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Let's go, Celtics!
— Sean (@Celtics8282) August 2, 2023
With the Cardinals 11.5 games behind in the NL Central, the Cardinals’ post season run is unlikely. But as they say in sport, it ain’t over till it’s over. But do you think the Cardinals can make it to the post-season this year?
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