Travis Kelce squinted at the bright sunshine as he stood on the top step of the home dugout at Progressive Field on April 7.
The product of nearby Cleveland Heights never thought he’d be here — throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Guardians’ home opener. Then again, Kelce probably never thought he’d be a Super Bowl champion and host Saturday Night Live, but he’s done those things in the past three months as well.
“The homeland, baby,” Kelce said before taking the field to throw his first pitch since high school. “I grew up going to the Jake. Every single day in the 90s we lived the Tribe back in the day. This really is a dream come true. I always wanted to throw an opening day pitch. To have my family in town and this being the first home game of the year means a lot.”
Kelce said his baseball career ended in college when he gave summer baseball a crack while he was playing football at the University of Cinicinnati. He said he hasn’t picked up a bat or ball since.
“I was never a pitcher that could keep it over the plate anyway, so expectations are low,” Kelce said with a laugh.He didn’t lie.
Chiefs tight end and Cleveland native Travis Kelce threw out the ceremonial first pitch during the Guardians’ home opener at Progressive Field on April 7.
Chiefs tight end and Cleveland native Travis Kelce threw out the ceremonial first pitch during the Guardians’ home opener at Progressive Field on April 7.
After waving on the crowd for more applause, Kelce — accompanied by his mother Donna — unbuttoned his Guardians’ jersey to reveal at tee-shirt that read, “I’m from Cleveland.”unbuttoned his Guardians’ jersey to reveal at tee-shirt that read, “I’m from Cleveland.”
Chiefs tight end and Cleveland native Travis Kelce threw out the ceremonial first pitch during the Guardians’ home opener at Progressive Field on April 7.
Chiefs tight end and Cleveland native Travis Kelce threw out the ceremonial first pitch during the Guardians’ home opener at Progressive Field on April 7.
Then he promptly threw a heater that bounced about 15 feet in front of home plate and sent Shane Bieber — the ceremonial catcher — bailing.
Kelce took a beating on social media from many, including KC quarterback Patrick Mahomes, but Kelce tweeted, “Been spiking the ball for 10 years … Can you tell?”
