Donovan Mitchell is swapping his basketball sneakers for a pitcher's mound Thursday, when the Cleveland Cavaliers star throws the ceremonial first pitch before Game 3 of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field. The Guardians announced the appearance as part of a lineup of festivities surrounding the pivotal home game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
According to FOX 8 News, the Cleveland Guardians announced that Mitchell will throw the ceremonial first pitch before Game 3 of the American League Championship Series. Cleveland.com, meanwhile, reports that Mitchell is expected to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the game, a framing that stops just short of calling it confirmed. Either way, the moment will mark Mitchell's first ceremonial first pitch in Cleveland, per that same cleveland.com report.
A Guardians Superfan Gets His Shot
Mitchell's baseball cameo isn't coming out of nowhere. The 30-year-old shooting guard was spotted wearing José Ramírez's jersey and cheering on the Guardians during Game 5 of the ALDS against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field last Saturday, a sign of just how invested Cleveland's NBA star has become in his adopted city's baseball fortunes.
Game 3 is scheduled for a 6 p.m. ET first pitch, according to Cleveland 19 News, which also confirmed Mitchell's slot on the pregame program. The station reports that ALCS festivities at Progressive Field are planned from Thursday through Saturday, October 17. Saxophonist Mike Phillips is set to perform the national anthem before Thursday's game, the station notes.
Pregame Plaza Opens to Fans Without Tickets
Fans without tickets to Game 3 will still have a way to soak in the atmosphere. Gateway Plaza will be open beginning 90 minutes before gates open through the end of each game, and attendees won't need a ticket to take part in the pre-gate festivities, per Cleveland 19 News. Those festivities are set to include entertainment, the games broadcast on large screens, and food and beverage options, the station reports.
The Guardians arrive home for Game 3 on a roll. The team beat the Rays 7-3 Monday night, according to FOX 8 News, and hoped for another win at Tropicana Field on Tuesday before heading back to Cleveland. It caps a dramatic turnaround for a club that, as The New York Times reports, went 24-11 after bottoming out at 61-66 during the regular season, ultimately claiming a third straight division title and a first-round playoff bye.
A Busy Month for Cleveland's Biggest Star
Mitchell's first-pitch moment comes during a brief window before his own season tips off. He recently signed a four-year contract extension to remain with the Cavaliers, the outlet notes, and the team is set to open its regular season on the road against the Philadelphia 76ers next Thursday, October 22, according to FOX 8 News. For now, though, the city's spotlight swings to baseball, with its basketball star stepping up to the mound rather than the free-throw line.
