Bill Walton helps Padres celebrate 'Grateful Dead Tribute Night'
The San Diego Padres hosted their inaugural "Grateful Dead Tribute Night" on Thursday, and who better to throw out the ceremonial first pitch than arguably the world's biggest Grateful Dead fan, NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton?
Walton kicked off the night's festivities by jamming with a local tribute band:
San Diego's own @GratefulDead tribute band, Electric Waste Band featuring @BillWalton on the bongo drums are rocking out at Park at the Park! pic.twitter.com/DN7GIG76lc
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 9, 2019
Then came the first pitch, which wasn't pretty:
Bill & Baseball’s Excellent Adventure pic.twitter.com/40wl6gG0Ne
— Cut4 (@Cut4) August 9, 2019
As Walton explained in a mid-game interview with FOX Sports San Diego, he did get a second attempt, and it went much better than the first:
The #Padres record this season when Bill Walton throws out the first pitch: 1-0.
— FOX Sports San Diego (@FOXSportsSD) August 9, 2019
Those are simply the facts.
Thanks for stopping by, @BillWalton! pic.twitter.com/nq6u6UlF1P
Walton also may have been to blame for the game beginning at 7:14 p.m. instead of its scheduled start time of 7:10 p.m.
Tonight‘s game will not start on time, almost entirely due to the fact that after he threw out the ceremonial first pitch, Bill Walton joined in the exchange of lineup cards — and proceeded to talk for three full minutes without interruption. It was an awesome sight. pic.twitter.com/dvzIcOYcFE
— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) August 9, 2019
The Padres went on to defeat the Colorado Rockies 9-3.
HEADLINES
- The Dodgers are running away from the field - and toward a dynasty
- Riley: Heat could've been '5 or 6 championship team' if LeBron stayed
- Chiefs expect Pacheco, Omenihu to return vs. Raiders
- Nets' Thomas out at least 3 weeks due to hamstring injury
- Morris: Falcons haven't 'gotten what we want' from Judon