Tonight's 80th Major League Baseball All-Star Game will commence when the Commander-in-Chief, President Barack Obama, throws out the first pitch in front of a sold-out Busch Stadium with St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols on the receiving end.
The ceremonial first pitch is a longstanding tradition with presidents, actors, singers, athletes and others from all walks of life showing the baseball world either their world-class arms or interest in things other than baseball growing up.
Hockey players have been part of the celebrated tradition, as seen recently with two-time Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bill Guerin doing his part before a Pittsburgh Pirates game; as well as now-former Detroit Red Wing Chris Chelios dusting off his autographed Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown glove to kick things off before a Detroit Tigers matinee.
In honor of the US of A's "First Fan" doing tonight's first pitch honors, we take a look back at NHL'ers trying their best to look as slick on the baseball diamond as they are on the ice -- with varying degrees of success.
Brian Campbell, Chicago Blackhawks, B+
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Definitely an F-minus for his original attempt last year, but it's obvious that the failed attempt bothered Campbell so much (was he thinking about it during this play, perhaps?) that he worked at making his second chance less embarrassing, and it worked.
Sean Avery, Dallas Stars, B- (1:38 mark)
Good form, kept his head at the target, but his hips opened up too quickly ... which is why ball sailed to his left. Is this his one and only highlight from his brief time in Dallas?
Martin Biron, Philadelphia Flyers, B- (3:04 mark)
Points deducted because he threw from the grass in front of the pitcher's mound, but saved himself with tossing it high, but straight, over the plate to the Phillie Phanatic.
John Tavares, New York Islanders, C (1:15 mark)
While the IslandersTV footage cut off as soon as JT released the pitch, the pitch was as good as the form; something to which I can attest, being in attendance that night at CitiField. Tavares also received a mixed reaction when being introduced, something he should get used to playing in New York.
After seeing these again, we can totally understand why there's a rule against hand passes in the NHL.
