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Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell will throw the ceremonial first pitch before Game 3 of the American League Championship Series on Thursday, Oct. 15, at Progressive Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m., with the game moved from 6 p.m. due to rain in the forecast.
Mitchell has been a visible supporter of the Guardians during their playoff run. He attended Game 5 of the ALDS on Oct. 10, wearing a Jose Ramirez jersey. Ramirez, a seven-time All-Star third baseman, hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning of that winner-take-all game against the Chicago White Sox, propelling the Guardians to a 2-0 victory and their second ALCS appearance in three years.
The best-of-seven ALCS between the Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays is currently tied 1-1 as the series shifts to Cleveland. The Guardians won Game 1 7-3 but dropped Game 2 3-1 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Key Analysis
Mitchell's involvement highlights the close connection between Cleveland's sports teams. The Cavaliers and Guardians are neighbors, with only Gateway Plaza separating Rocket Arena and Progressive Field. Mitchell was joined at Game 5 by teammates including Evan Mobley, Jaylon Tyson, Nae'Qwan Tomlin, Sam Merrill, Meleek Thomas, Tyrese Proctor, and Craig Porter Jr. The group was recognized on the scoreboard with the caption, 'Cleveland against the world. Welcome Cleveland Cavaliers.'
Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson expressed enthusiasm for the Guardians' playoff run. 'It's like when you reach the conference finals in the NBA. There's just a buzz. There's electricity around the city,' Atkinson said on Oct. 10. He also noted that Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman has been wearing Guardians gear. 'You want to jump on the bandwagon,' Atkinson added.
Several Cavaliers players have shown support through their attire. Proctor wore a Travis Bazzana jersey during Game 5, as both are from Australia. Porter wore a Tim Herrin jersey, and both graduated from Terre Haute South Vigo High School in Indiana. Atkinson drove home after a Cavs event to watch Game 5 on TV.
Atkinson pointed out that this is a promising time for Cleveland sports. The Cavaliers open their regular season on Oct. 22 against LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers. The Browns are 3-2 and face the 4-1 Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Oct. 18. The Guardians are competing for a World Series berth. 'The Guardians are really good,' Atkinson said. 'I think the Browns look good, look better, and hopefully we'll be good. So, that's great for the city. Sometimes it's hard to get three teams that are doing well at the same time. So, exciting, exciting times here in Cleveland.'
Mitchell's baseball background suggests he should deliver a solid ceremonial first pitch. A native of Elmsford, New York, Mitchell is a baseball fanatic and his primary MLB allegiance is to the New York Mets. His father, also named Donovan Mitchell, played minor-league baseball and works for the Mets as their senior director of community, inclusion and player relations. The younger Mitchell pitched and played shortstop, aspiring to reach MLB, but his baseball career ended when he suffered a broken wrist as a high school sophomore.
However, Mitchell has not completely abandoned his baseball dreams. 'I take batting practice every now and again, so I'm just trying to keep myself fresh for whenever I decide to switch over,' Mitchell told the Beacon Journal and other local media outlets in 2023 during a celebrity softball game hosted by former Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II. In September, on the 'Cousins with Vince Carter & Tracy McGrady' podcast, Mitchell reiterated his plan to pursue baseball after his NBA career. 'I'm trying to play when I'm done,' he said. Until then, Mitchell can live vicariously through the Mets and, in the 2026 MLB playoffs, the Guardians.
Originally reported by yahoo.