Week of Valley players throwing out first pitch continues

Jun 28, 2017, 7:12 PM | Updated: 7:14 pm

(Twitter Photo/@Dbacks and AP Photo)

Getting the chance to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Major League Baseball game can be quite the honor.

With the honor comes much pressure that even one of the best players in recent MLB history couldn’t overcome.

A trio of players from Valley teams threw out the first pitch on Friday, and another first-round pick joined them in the honor on Tuesday. Throwing out the first pitch on Wednesday was also a first-round pick — from 13 years ago.

Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi tossed the ceremonial pitch before the D-backs took on the St. Louis Cardinals.

She sported the No. 7,489 on her jersey because she recently surpassed Tina Thompson (7,488 points) to became the all-time leading scorer in WNBA history.

GOAT on the field! Diana Taurasi throwing out the first pitch at tonight's @Dbacks game!! pic.twitter.com/WL1kqVULeL

— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) June 29, 2017

Perfect pitch from the greatest! pic.twitter.com/vaINSva0ms

— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) June 29, 2017

Arizona Coyotes first-round selection Pierre-Olivier Joseph threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the D-backs game on Tuesday, also against the Cardinals.

Looking good, @POJoseph15! #AllAZ pic.twitter.com/FzwBDhYvo7

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) June 28, 2017

.@POJoseph15 throws a strike before tonight’s @Dbacks game pic.twitter.com/ZBhRSGTEze

— Greg Dillard (@GregDillard) June 28, 2017

Apparently hockey translates more to baseball than football or basketball does, just looking strictly at how the Valley athletes did with the pitch.

Just days ago, Arizona Cardinals first-round pick Haason Reddick and Phoenix Suns first-round pick Josh Jackson both were a part of the event before the Diamondbacks faced off against the Philadelphia Phillies at Chase Field.

An #AllAZ, all-1st round ceremonial first pitch from @AZCardinals‘ @Haason7Reddick and @Suns‘ @j_josh11. pic.twitter.com/WTbnzEgb0K

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) June 24, 2017

Reddick’s pitch, though it wasn’t a strike, wasn’t errant enough to force the catcher to move. Jackson on the other hand, well, he probably wants a mulligan.

Perhaps @j_josh11 should stick to his day job w/#Suns, and @Haason7Reddick may want to consider double-duty w/#Cardinals and #Dbacks pic.twitter.com/6Ve9vVdsNO

— Craig Grialou (@CraigAZSports) June 24, 2017

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Markus Golden also got in on the MLB action, but it wasn’t a local appearance. He threw out the first pitch in his hometown.

.@markusgolden's first pitch was perfect! 👌

Hey, @AZCardinals, do you mind if we keep Markus around for a few days? pic.twitter.com/yKsJE46cQI

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) June 24, 2017

First pitch from #DREAMER™ Markus Golden yesterday at the St. Louis @Cardinals game! GO GET IT! @AZCardinals #STL pic.twitter.com/U5hkiSPufa

— DREAMS2reality™ (@TCD2R) April 14, 2016

Golden’s pitch wasn’t perfect either, but the Arizona Cardinals wanted to “cover their bases” so to speak, in case St. Louis got any ideas.