50 Cent’s First Pitch Goes Way, Way Outside

 

50 Cent throws out the ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the New York Mets and the Pittsburgh Pirates, May 27, 2014, in New York.

 

Rap star Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has achieved numerous accomplishments during his career. More than 20 million albums sold. Grammy and Billboard and American Music Awards. Crossover appeal in movies and video games.

But he joined a dubious list Tuesday, staking his claim for one of the worst ceremonial first pitches in recent baseball memory. 

The pitch came before the start of the New York Mets-Pittsburgh Pirates game at Citi Field in Queens, his hometown. 

50 Cent’s form was solid. Wearing a No. 50 Mets jersey, he wound up with a high leg kick – but as he released the ball, things went horribly wrong. The ball sailed from his left hand, bouncing to the backstop and nearly nailing the assembled photographers, well wide of catcher Anthony Recker. 

Following his baseball adventure, 50 Cent raised his hands and smiled, laughing at himself. That first pitch isn’t easy. Mariah Carey, Carl Lewis, Carly Rae Jepsen and Howard Stern sidekick Gary “Baba Booey” Dell’Abate have all flubbed first pitches, too.

50 Cent’s ceremonial toss comes ahead of a June 14 concert at Citi Field – as well as his first-ever morning TV concert Friday on “Good Morning America,” part of the show’s Summer Concert Series.