Arizona Cardinals rookies Rosen, Kirk try their hand at baseball

PHOENIX – Neither had much need for baseball growing up.

Josh Rosen played tennis mostly, while Christian Kirk always had football on the mind. Yet there they were Tuesday, the Arizona Cardinals’ two heralded rookies from this year’s draft class, on the mound at Chase Field ready to throw out ceremonial first pitches.

Welcome to Arizona, @josh3rosen, and welcome back to @ChristianDavon2! Looking forward to seeing you connect for a whole bunch of TDs for the @AZCardinals. #AllAZ pic.twitter.com/OOdCA8ACZS

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) May 30, 2018

“I think as long as [we] don’t airmail it or bounce it, we’ll be OK,” Rosen said, speaking to reporters beforehand.

Of course, as a quarterback, the first-round pick Rosen was expected to throw a good ball. For Kirk, selected in the second-round (47th overall), the expectations weren’t nearly as great, certainly not from someone who is paid to catch the ball as a wide receiver. He did, however, face a different kind of pressure in front of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ fans.

“Being the native hometown kid I got to live up to some expectations,” said Kirk, who starred at Scottsdale Saguaro High School and admitted he had the day “circled on my calendar” after first being approached by the idea.

For the record, their throws made it over the plate. A little high but over the plate, thus avoiding any embarrassment, especially with a number of their rookie teammates in attendance.

The D-backs recognized the entire 2018 Cardinals’ rookie class prior to the game.

“It’s really cool that we’re coming out and bonding a little bit and getting to watch some baseball,” Rosen said.

Added Kirk, “Things like this, experiences like this that they get to go and experience because the majority might be here for awhile so to be able to get to come out and support their home team.”

For Rosen, the trip to Chase Field marked his second visit to the ballpark in six months. His UCLA Bruins played Kansas State in the Cactus Bowl back in December. Rosen was hurt at the time and did not play.

Since then, though, it’s been a whirlwind for Rosen.

“I (haven’t) slept in one bed for more than a month since last January, basically,” he said. “I’m looking forward to settling down and calling this home and getting the work in and playing some football.”

Unlike Kirk, Rosen had very little familiarity with Arizona before being drafted.

“It’s kind of cool to go to a new city and have people sort of reach out to you and try to take you in as one of their own,” he said, specifically mentioning manager Torey Lovullo, himself a Bruin, extending the ceremonial first-pitch invitation. “I think it’s really cool.”

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