MLB Opening Day marks the return of ceremonial first pitches — and one decorated football coach showed off his arm.
The Royals opened their season at home on Thursday against the Twins, and they had Chiefs head coach Andy Reid throw out their ceremonial first pitch to start the 2024 season.
The back-to-back Super Bowl champion, who brought a Lombardi Trophy with him, and three-time winner overall threw a perfect strike to Royals legend George Brett, something one of his players had doubts about.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes wasn’t in attendance at Kaufmann Stadium, but the three-time Super Bowl MVP made it known on X he wasn’t quite sure about Reid’s aim.
“Anyone know if coach Reid threw a strike?” Mahomes wrote on X, followed by three laughing emojis.
The Royals, though, were probably hoping Reid could have helped lead the team to a win.
Kansas City fell to the Twins 4-1, losing to them for the second straight Opening Day.
After the Twins’ Royce Lewis hit a first-inning solo homer, Royals leadoff hitter Maikel Garcia answered with a solo home run on the third pitch of the season.
But much to the chagrin of the home crowd, however, Kansas City wouldn’t score again.
They notched only five hits on Thursday in the loss.
The Twins, on the other hand, had a pretty solid day at the plate.
Shortstop Carlos Correa started the year 3-for-4 with two RBIs, including what ended up being the winning run in the third inning.
Minnesota added two runs in the ninth, and the Royals couldn’t overcome the three-run deficit, even after putting their leadoff man on in the bottom half of the inning.
As for Reid, he’ll soon get back to planning for the 2024 NFL season as the Chiefs attempt to become the first-ever team to have a Super Bowl three-peat.
Kansas City recently signed rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit, who will reportedly be a special teamer.
With the new kickoff rule aimed at increasing returns, he could impact the Chiefs’ return game positively.