MLB denies Dirk Nowitzki the opportunity to throw out stupid, ceremonial first pitch
A. Isaac The Texas Rangers desperately wanted NBA champion Dirk Nowitzki to throw out the first pitch at one of their World Series games. MLB, however, had other plans.
In what has to be one of the lamest displays of solidarity we’ve ever seen, Bud Selig and co. denied Nowitzki because of the current lockout situation in the NBA.
Yes, that makes no sense and yes, we’re all dumber for having read that. Here’s some more info from ESPN’s Marc Stein.
Sources told ESPNDallas.com that — with the NBA in the midst of a lockout that has spanned 111 days — at least some hesitation stems from the idea that MLB executives want to stand behind their basketball counterparts and have notified the Rangers that they can’t bestow first-pitch honors on an NBA player.
Major League Baseball insists that the NBA’s labor unrest had no impact on Nowitzki not being selected to throw out the first pitch.
“MLB absolutely denies that any part in selecting the first ball pitcher had anything to do with the current labor situation in the NBA,” MLB spokesman Pat Courtney said. “You want the club’s input in what makes sense for them and then we talk about what makes sense for the team and a good broad-base national appeal.
I think I speak for everybody when I say, “screw you Bud Selig for not allowing this and screw you David Stern for, um, well, just on basic principle.
It would have made for a great World Series memory to see Dirk airmail the catcher not once, but twice, in the same season.
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