PITTSBURGH -- Jim Leyland got texts all morning on Friday telling him to not be a hero. He was allowed to move up before delivering the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Pirates’ 5-2 loss in the home opener against the Orioles.
“I'm bullheaded, so I'm gonna throw it from the mound,” Leyland said before the pitch at PNC Park. “I don't know if I'm gonna make it. But, I'm bullheaded.”
Leyland did take his spot on the mound, doffed his cap to the Pittsburgh crowd and, well, short-hopped manager Derek Shelton’s target in front of home, but it was perfectly on target.
Leyland, who is set to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in July, is perhaps known best for his 11 years as the Pirates’ skipper from 1986-96, where he took over a rebuilding club and led it to three straight division titles from 1990-92.
It has been 11 years since he hung it up as a manager, but a return to the diamond for that first pitch demanded some preparation.
“I tried to throw some against the garage today,” Leyland said. “I'm scheduled for rotator cuff surgery in about two hours."