Bettis to throw out first pitch at Tigers' home opener

Jerome Bettis is scheduled to throw the first pitch at the Detroit Tigers' home opener, a few homers away from where he helped the Pittsburgh Steelers win the Super Bowl.

The Tigers will host the World Series champion Chicago White Sox on Monday afternoon.

Bettis, the NFL's fifth-leading rusher, closed his 13-year career two months ago with a title after Pittsburgh beat Seattle at Ford Field, which is adjacent to the Tigers' Comerica Park. The Detroit native often displays his affection for his hometown team by wearing a baseball cap adorned with an Old English D.

Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick will also throw out a ceremonial first pitch to Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano.

The Contours will sing the national anthem.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2398523

can the white man get some representation.

I wonder what HEB1 thinks of this he seemed very bothered by Detroit embracing Bettis during the Superbowl?

I am glad that JB was invited to do that.

Screw Bettis. He should throw out the first pitch at Notre Dame's first baseball game this season. Traitor.

can the white man get some representation.
no. You guys own the teams. thats enough representation. [smilie=angel.gif]

Screw Bettis. He should throw out the first pitch at Notre Dame's first baseball game this season. Traitor.
And Charles Woodson would rather play for the packers and doesnt wanna throw out the first pitch to any tiger games. What point are you making? [smilie=artist.gif] you act like its a prestigious hook up to throw at a tiger game. [smilie=arrgh.jpg] [smilie=angel.gif]

I'm just ticked that he claims to be this big Detroit/Michigan guy, but when it was time to play college football he went to play for the Irish in Indiana.

I'm just ticked that he claims to be this big Detroit/Michigan guy, but when it was time to play college football he went to play for the Irish in Indiana.

Let's be reasonable here - not every person who loves his home city or state wants to go to UofM or MSU. He's clearly doing it because he wants to, it's not like he can't throw one for the Pirates.

Now, if he went to OSU then you'd have a point.

Skip knows the Bus: Apparently Bill Cowher isn't the only Steeler that Leyland knows. As it turns out, he's also an acquaintance of recently retired running back and Detroit native Jerome Bettis, who's scheduled to throw out the first pitch at Monday's home opener.

Bettis is a baseball fan who would visit with Leyland when he came into Pittsburgh.

"He and Cowher would come into my office, and I asked him to sign an autograph," Leyland said. "I don't normally do that. I also paid $1,200 for his jersey at a charity auction, and I can guarantee you he didn't pay $1,200 for mine."

That jersey is framed and hanging in Leyland's office along with one of Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Lambert.
http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060407&content_id=1388726&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det

I'm just ticked that he claims to be this big Detroit/Michigan guy, but when it was time to play college football he went to play for the Irish in Indiana.

Let's be reasonable here - not every person who loves his home city or state wants to go to UofM or MSU. He's clearly doing it because he wants to, it's not like he can't throw one for the Pirates.

Now, if he went to OSU then you'd have a point.

True, but I'm a hardcore Wolverine and I'm still a little bitter. [smilie=furious.gif]

The Bus stops at the CoPa: Someone jokingly asked Jerome Bettis before the game if he'd ever seen a baseball jersey as big as the No. 36 Tigers jersey he was wearing to the mound for the ceremonial first pitch. Bettis didn't fall for that one.

"Yeah, Cecil Fielder," he said with a laugh. "I know this is not the biggest. I've still got some room."

Bettis made his name in football growing up in Detroit, but he has a fair knowledge of Tigers history, too. He grew up following the great teams of the 1980s, including his favorite player, Lou Whitaker. He wears his Tigers hat proudly around Pittsburgh, much to the abuse of the locals.

"I've been a Tigers fan all my time," Bettis said. "I try to represent the Tigers every chance I get, so I'm always wearing my Detroit hat. People in Pittsburgh are a little upset about that."

He has a harder time following the Tigers these days in retirement in Pittsburgh. But he at least knows Shelton.

"He's got five home runs right now!" Bettis exclaimed. "I pay attention a little bit. I watch my guys."
http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060410&content_id=1393295&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det