Throwing the ceremonial first pitch in Major League Baseball (MLB) is often a highlight for many invited guests. For Sierra Santos, a co-host of “Intentional Talk” on the MLB Network, this moment turned troubling rapidly. Santos was asked to throw the first pitch prior to the Arizona Diamondbacks’ game against the Los Angeles Dodgers last Friday.
Leading up to her big moment, Santos felt an unusual amount of pressure. She joked that if she didn’t make a successful throw, her colleagues would likely tease her throughout the year. Unfortunately, when her pitch went awry, veering off to the left of home plate, those worries seemed justified.
During a recap on the MLB network, Santos took some time to reflect on the experience. She described it as “the most embarrassing day of my life,” mentioning that she had even contemplated changing her name and relocating out of the country after the mishap. “When I walked through the door today, I honestly expected my badge not to work. I absolutely failed at this first pitch,” she confessed.
Despite feeling the sting from the incident initially, Santos has since shifted her focus. “People kept asking me why I didn’t practice. I did practice!” she asserted. Since the failed throw, she’s attempted to move past it, even taking to social media to share that the first pitch experience is part of the learning curve.
In the meantime, the Dodgers have continued to perform well, with stars like Shohei Ohtani making significant contributions. Last Friday, Ohtani’s impressive three-run homer played a key role in the Dodgers’ victory over the Diamondbacks, sealing a 14-11 win. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks rebounded on Saturday with a shutout against the Dodgers, winning 3-0, although Los Angeles celebrated an 8-1 win on Sunday, bringing the four-game series to a split.
