CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Two-time Super Bowl champion Travis Kelce is great at spiking footballs after scoring touchdowns.
He did the same with his first pitch Friday afternoon at the Cleveland Guardians home opener at Progressive Field.
Kelce’s pitch, which was one he probably would like to forget, bounced on the infield grass and went wide left of home plate.
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Kelce took the social media reaction in stride.
As Kelce took the mound to thunderous applause from the sellout crowd, he unbuttoned his jersey to reveal a white t-shirt that read “I’m from Cleveland.”
“He was back there practicing and stuff, but it's a different ball game once you're on the mound,” designated hitter Josh Bell, who admitted he didn’t see the errant throw, said.
The wild pitch, which saw Guardians starter Shane Bieber jump out of the way after taking a stab at the ball as it went to the backstop, went viral on social media and drew a response from Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“The throw was a little bit firm, but it didn’t hit Shane,” Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan said. “He geared it up and really threw it, so that was cool to see.”
Kelce quickly ran off the mound towards the plate like he was covering on the play before giving Bieber a big hug.
Guardians manager Terry Francona was asked if he had second thoughts about having Bieber catch the throw from Kelce.
“There would be the next time,” Francona said smiling. “I’m glad he didn’t tackle him.”
Wild pitch or not, Kelce was a hit in the Guardians clubhouse.
“I know that feeling [was] probably a letdown for him,” center fielder Myles Straw said, “but just having him here, opening day, he’s a Cleveland legend, so pretty special to see him.”
Kelce, a Cleveland Heights native, was invited along with his mother, Donna, who became a Super Bowl sensation with both of her sons playing in the game, to help the Guardians open the 2023 season at home by throwing first pitches.