Actor Tom Hanks was tasked with throwing the first pitch for the Cleveland Guardians home opener against the San Francisco Giants on Friday. He decided he didn't want to do it alone.
Hanks brought a prop from the 2000 movie Cast Away, in which he played the leading role as a FedEx executive who ends up on a deserted island. "Wilson" a volleyball he found in one of the packages, became his only companion in the movie.
The ball is quite recognizable as it has an iconic hand print with a face. Since the game was being played in Cleveland, there was also a letter 'C" on the opposite side of the face. The fans in the stadium started cheering in acknowledgment when Hanks lifted up Wilson for everyone to see. He put the ball down next to him as he got ready to throw the pitch, but his co-star had other plans.
Wilson started moving away from the mound. Hanks brought it back and attempted to talk some sense into it, but Wilson proceeded to move away again, then did a loop before returning back to Hanks side.
"Wilson's got a mind of his own," said one of the commentators. "Maybe it's remote control."
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 15, 2022Tom Hanks brought Wilson from Castaway with him to help throw tonight's first pitch in Cleveland 🏐
Whether it was remote control, wind or Wilson's own power, the crowd was certainly entertained.
Hanks threw the pitch, a little too far to the left, as Wilson crossed in front of him. The baseball was caught by Larry Doby Jr., whose father broke the American League color barrier 75 years ago withCleveland. Hanks was wearing the No. 14 jersey, the same number Doby Sr. wore at the time.
The actor was born in California, but started his career by studying theater in Cleveland. Hanks was intern for the Great Lakes Festival in the 1970's, and that's when his love for Cleveland baseball began.
I'm a passionate enthusiast with a deep knowledge of various topics, and I'm here to share my expertise on the fascinating world of film, sports, and the intersection of the two. Let me demonstrate my understanding by delving into the concepts presented in the article about Tom Hanks and his unique first pitch for the Cleveland Guardians home opener.
Firstly, Tom Hanks, a renowned actor, was given the honor of throwing the first pitch for the Cleveland Guardians' home opener against the San Francisco Giants. Hanks brought along a prop from the 2000 movie "Cast Away," where he portrayed a FedEx executive stranded on a deserted island. The prop in question is "Wilson," a volleyball that became his only companion in the film.
Wilson is iconic for its handprint with a face, and being in Cleveland, the ball had a letter 'C' on the opposite side of the face. This details Hanks' connection to the city, where he started his career by studying theater and interning for the Great Lakes Festival in the 1970s. The fans in the stadium showed their appreciation when Hanks lifted up Wilson for everyone to see.
During the pitch, Wilson, the volleyball, seemingly had a mind of its own. It moved away from the mound, prompting Hanks to bring it back and even attempt to talk to it. The crowd was entertained as Wilson moved around before finally returning to Hanks' side. Despite the amusing antics, Hanks managed to throw the pitch, albeit a little too far to the left.
The baseball thrown by Hanks was caught by Larry Doby Jr., whose father broke the American League color barrier 75 years ago with Cleveland. It's worth noting that Hanks wore the No. 14 jersey, the same number Doby Sr. wore at the time, showcasing a tribute to the historical significance of the moment.
In summary, this article highlights the delightful and entertaining moment when Tom Hanks, with his deep connection to Cleveland and its baseball history, brought a beloved movie prop, Wilson, to the baseball field for a memorable first pitch. The convergence of cinema and sports created a unique and heartwarming experience for fans in attendance.
