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Japanese wrestling champion throws first pitch in wrestling attire

andrew zuber

By now we’ve all seen the full collection of what can happen during the ceremonial first pitch at an MLB stadium.

Yes, Carly Rae Jepsen and 50 Cent, we’re talking about you.

It’s all fairly standard fare: a celebrity comes out, lobs one to a player on the home team who has a day off, quick photo op, and that’s it.

In Japan, however, there’s an added layer to it.

They bring out a catcher in full gear to crouch down behind the plate, and a hapless batter steps into the box to feign an attempt at a swing. The team mascot even acts as ersatz umpire to drum up a big punch out.

It’s a fun scene, made all the more great when a colorful character has a little fun before throwing the first pitch.

Enter The Rainmaker, Kazuchika Okada.

For those uninitiated: Okada is the current IWGP Heavyweight Champion, the highest title to hold in the country’s most popular wrestling company, New Japan Pro Wrestling. What’s more, Okada is arguably the greatest champion in company history, holding the top title for a record 1,546-plus days spread over five title reigns.

Okada hits all the key notes in his ceremonial toss. Making an entrance with the title, hitting his signature Rainmaker Pose before the pitch, and doing it all in full wrestling attire.

The pitch itself is a beauty, which we will generously classify as a breaking ball on the inner half for a swinging strikeout.

Of course, he isn’t the first Japanese wrestler to open a game up while in full regalia, but he might be the first one to do it without beating someone up afterward. Legendary grappler Jushin “Thunder” Liger threw out the first pitch in June of last year, beaning the mascot in the batter’s box in the process and starting a full on brawl (that he won handily).

This is something MLB should be implementing immediately, in my opinion. The first pitch has become boring and routine at this point, and we’ve seen all the bad pitches we can see. It’s time someone swung feebly at a John Cena changeup or kicked off the game by being speared by Roman Reigns in front of the mound.

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