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By Andrew Ravens
Contributing Sports Writer
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WWE Women's World Champion Tiffany Stratton threw the first pitch at Thursday's New York Mets home game against the Washington Nationals. Her toss was compared to some of the most infamous celebrity MLB first pitches.
Stratton's throw sailed over the left-handed batters' box and one-hopped the backstop, well out of reach for Mets outfielder Jared Young, who was the ceremonial catcher. The Mets chose Stratton to throw the first pitch after her recent successful title defense as the WWE Women's Champion.
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She won the title in January and has made many successful defenses. The former United States national team gymnast joined the SmackDown brand in 2024 after a dominant run in NXT. Stratton debuted in WWE in November 2021 after winning weightlifting and bodybuilding championships following her gymnastics career.
Infamous Celebrity First Pitches
Stratton's throw brought to mind other ceremonial first pitches that went wrong. One of the most infamous also happened at a Mets home game at Citi Field. Rapper 50 Cent missed the plate by an unbelievable margin when he threw the first pitch at a May 2014 game in Queens. That gaffe remains a major celebrity lowlight on the mound a decade later.
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While 50 Cent's throw is a benchmark for bad ceremonial first pitches, he is not alone. "Call Me, Maybe" singer Carly Rae Jepsen spiked a ball directly into the turf in 2013 at Tropicana Field before a Tampa Bay Rays game.
Other Sports Stars and Celebrities Miss the Mark
Stratton is not the only combat sports star to go viral for a bad first pitch. UFC legend Conor McGregor had a moment to forget at Wrigley Field in 2021. He launched a fastball to the backstop, far beyond the right-handed batters' box.
The throw bounced off the brick wall and sharply towards the first base dugout. On international soil, five-time Grammy Award winner Mariah Carey tossed a ball into the turf well in front of the plate in 2008.
Wearing high heels and 2000s attire, Carey threw the first pitch at the Tokyo Dome before a game between the Yomiuri Giants and Rakuten Eagles. Her offering did not even make it halfway to the catcher. Ceremonial first pitches come with significant pressure, and some celebrities handle the moment better than others.
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