Cincinnati mayor Mark Mallory at least has a sense of humor about his wild pitch. Mallory was slated to throw the first ball out at Great American Ball Park and when he did, it was a tad outside. Actually, it was nowhere near home plate.
But the Mayor’s office quickly released their Top Ten Reasons for his blooper of a pitch (courtesy of The Enquirer):
10. I have a shoulder injury from cracking the whip on council.
9. I got some last-minute tips from Lou Piniella.
8. I was protesting Ken Griffey’s move to right.
7. I didn’t want to show up President Bush. He might put a wiretap on me.
6. I am saving my best stuff for my Bengals tryout.
5. First pitch? I thought I was throwing out the first bowling ball.
4. I grew up in the West End playing on concrete. A field with grass and dirt threw me off.
3. Eric Davis’ red shoes blinded me.
2. My best sport is Putt-Putt.
1. Eric Davis missed the sign. I called for a pitchout.
And if you haven’t seen the pitch yet, here it is: