St. John's University Athletics
Chris Mullin Throws Out First Pitch at Citi Field
9/2/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
QUEENS, N.Y. - Just seconds before hard-throwing right hander Matt Harvey took the mound at Citi Field on Wednesday night, one of the smoothest lefties in the history of sports preceded him on the hill. For the second time this summer at a major league ballpark, Chris Mullin delivered a ceremonial first-pitch strike, working one over the plate to catcher Travis d'Arnaud prior to the Mets game against the Phillies on Wednesday night.
Mullin, a three-time BIG EAST Player of the Year who led St. John's the second Final Four in school history in 1985, received a standing ovation from the Queens crowd upon his introduction. After exchanging banter with Harvey on the hill, Mullin wound and fired, sending a pitch with subtle breaking action into the waiting mitt of d'Arnaud.
This is the second time this season that Mullin has thrown out the first pitch at a New York major league park. On May 27, Mullin tossed a strike prior to the Yankees 4-2 win over the Kansas City Royals in the Bronx.
Mullin, a two-time Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame inductee, is gearing up for his first season at the helm of his alma mater's basketball program. The Red Storm has a loaded schedule for his inaugural campaign, including a trip to Hawaii for the Maui Invitational and a game against former BIG EAST rival Syracuse inside "The World's Most Famous Arena."
Several prominent members of the St. John's community were in attendance. In addition to Mullin's entire coaching staff, Conrado "Bobby" Gempesaw, Ph. D, President, St. John's University and Interim Athletics Director Joseph Oliva, Esq., were both present at the home of the NL East leaders.
