When the Minnesota Vikings selected J.J. McCarthy 10th overall out of Michigan, they were hoping he would be the quarterback of the future. They didn't draft him for his baseball skills.
Unfortunately, on a Tuesday night in Minneapolis, that's all anyone could talk about, as he threw out one of the worst first pitches in recent memory at the Minnesota Twins game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
First-rounders with the first pitch ⚾️@jjmccarthy09 @UnoErra pic.twitter.com/Im77SvTPWu
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) June 19, 2024
Edge rusher Dallas Turner also threw a poor pitch, but his job is to rush the passer not be one. It was ruthless on social media for McCarthy, as he was drafted to throw a ball. Now, it wasn't quite as bad as the 50 Cent's first pitch before a New York Mets game years ago.
There is one saving grace for McCarthy in this situation: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes had one nearly as bad when he was in college.
It wasn't just that Mahomes threw it over the catcher, he threw it over his father's head, Pat Mahomes Sr. His dad was a Major League Baseball pitcher for 14 years. It wasn't how either Mahomes wanted the pitch to go, but it certainly worked out well for him. He's a multi-time MVP and three-time Super Bowl champion.
McCarthy is in good company with Mahomes and he should be just fine.
