NFL

J.J. McCarthy throws horrendous first pitch at Twins game

By
Social Links for Christian Arnold
Published June 19, 2024, 12:52 a.m. ET

In the words of Bob Uecker, this pitch was juuuust a bit outside. 

Vikings first-round pick J.J. McCarthy threw out the first pitch ahead of Tuesday’s Twins game against the Rays at Target Field, and he made it clear that his career is in football and not in baseball.

The Minnesota rookie quarterback sent his ceremonial first pitch sailing to the backstop — way left of the catcher — and drawing a groan from the crowd watching from the stands. 

While the pitch maybe wasn’t as bad as 50 Cent’s infamous first pitch at Citi Field back on May 28, 2014, it still wasn’t close to being good.

McCarthy did a hop and skip as he exited the playing field quickly as the stadium organ played in the background. 

McCarthy was selected 10th overall by the Vikings at this year’s NFL draft after helping to lead Michigan to a national title earlier in the year. 

Minnesota Vikings first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy throws out the first pitch before a baseball game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Minnesota Twins, Tuesday, June 18, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Vikings first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy throws out the first pitch before a baseball game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Minnesota Twins, Tuesday, June 18, 2024, in Minneapolis. AP
J.J. McCarthy of the Minnesota Vikings looks on prior to the start of the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Minnesota Twins at Target Field on June 18, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
J.J. McCarthy of the Minnesota Vikings looks on prior to the start of the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Minnesota Twins at Target Field on June 18, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Getty Images

While McCarthy was a first-round pick, ex-Jets signal-caller Sam Darnold is going into training camp this year as the expected No. 1 quarterback. 

Still, head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters last week that he wanted to create a “competitive situation” going into training camp between Darnold and McCarthy. 

“We haven’t had to put out a depth chart or anything like that,” O’Connell said, according to ESPN, “but yeah, I would say Sam would be the guy I would look to based upon the spring he’s had, and really where he’s at in his career and his quarterback journey, and what he’s been able to do coming in and [hitting] the ground running and taking advantage of a competitive situation.”