Getty Image
Stephen A. Smith has become the target of online mockery following his first pitch at Yankee Stadium. The First Take host bounced his delivery into home plate, which might be fine on the cricket pitch but not on the diamond.
Viewers have been quick to comment on the lackluster performance on social media.
Smith was invited to do the opening ceremony before the Yankees’ Thursday night meeting with Blue Jays. While the divisional matchup won’t have playoff implications for the Bronx Bombers, they can attempt to play spoiler to Toronto.
The Jays currently hold one of the final two wildcard spots, though they possess just a one game advantage over the competition. A loss to New York could prove costly, though they have already taken the first two games of the series.
To help build the environment in Yankee Stadium, the team invited Stephen A. out for the first pitch.
Rather than receive roars from the crowd in attendance, he heard laughs from those looking on, and even a few boos. With all eyes on the sports show host, Smith bounced his delivery well short of home plate.
The pitch barely made it past the infield grass, but at least at provided a nice, easy hop for the catcher.
Smith quickly went viral, and let’s just say, the comments section wasn’t very nice.
Followers on social media didn’t hold back in their roasting of Smith as they burnt the opinionated television personality to a crisp.
“That was about as bad as his baseball takes,” wrote one fan.
“Dude thinks he’s playing cricket,” said another.
“This is your best baseball joke yet,” someone else commented.
An umpire even caught a stray from Stephen A’s terrible first pitch with a follower replying, “Angel Hernandez wouldn’t have called that a strike.”
Tough look.