Watch CBS News

What A Mess: Red Sox Now Confirm Governor Charlie Baker Will Be Part Of First Pitch Ceremonies

BOSTON (CBS) -- The 2020 Red Sox pitching staff is such a mess, the team can't even figure out who is throwing out the first pitch Friday night without some controversy.

Governor Charlie Baker announced Friday morning that he would be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park on Friday night, ahead of Boston's season opener against the Orioles. The Red Sox, however, quickly refuted that proclamation, with team president Sam Kennedy saying Baker was not part of the plans during a radio interview.

It created quite the stir for about an hour, but it turns out that Baker will indeed be part of the first pitch ceremonies.

"Sam misspoke on the radio this morning. The Governor is, in fact, one of the participants in tonight's ceremonial first pitch," the Red Sox told WBZ-TV.

It's only fitting that we'd have a first pitch controversy in 2020. Nothing else is normal, so why should something as simple as a first pitch be?

"My understanding, and admitting all that I know is what I'm told by my staff, is that there are a number of people who are throwing out a first pitch," Baker said at his Friday press conference. "And that is the Red Sox' way of making sure one of us gets it close to where it's supposed to go."

According to WBZ-TV's Dan Roche, Baker will be joined by Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and another "surprise guest" -- all of whom will throw out a first pitch on Friday.

The Red Sox announced their Opening Day plans on Thursday,  which will heavily focus on the Black Lives Matter movement, but made no mention of the ceremonial first pitch.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.