Red Sox Tab Fitting Ex-Player To Throw Out First Pitch At ALDS Game 1

by

Oct 3, 2018

The Boston Red Sox will kick off the postseason by bringing back a guy who knows all about October theatrics.

Former Red Sox outfielder Trot Nixon will throw out the ceremonial first pitch Friday night ahead of Game 1 of the American League Division Series at Fenway Park.

Sox fans will remember Nixon as the scrappy, hard-nosed right fielder who helped Boston win two World Series during his 10-year tenure with the Red Sox.

But Nixon also had a flair for the dramatic: Exactly 15 years and one day prior to Friday’s playoff opener — October 4, 2003 — he smacked a walk-off, two-run home run in the 11th inning to cap Boston’s wild 3-1 win over the Oakland Athletics in Game 3 of the ALDS.

The Red Sox went on to win that series and broke their World Series curse the following year. So, why not bring back the postseason hero to rekindle a little magic?

Nixon’s presence will be all the more fitting if the Sox face the A’s, who take on the New York Yankees in the AL wild-card game Wednesday night for the right to play at Fenway.

Nixon, a Wilmington, N.C., resident also is organizing a collection at the Fenway Park gates to help those affected by Hurricane Florence in his home state. The collection begins at 5:32 p.m. ET and will continue through the second inning.

Thumbnail photo via Paul Rutherford/USA TODAY Sports Images
Rick Porcello and David Price
Previous Article

David Price, Rick Porcello Confront Narrative They’re ‘Scared’ Of Playoff Games

Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum and defender Andrew Robertson
Next Article

Napoli vs. Liverpool Live Stream: Watch Champions League Game Online

Picked For You