Wolves’ time in Maryland will begin in iconic fashion, with Matt Doherty throwing the first pitch when the Baltimore Orioles take on the Blue Jays on Tuesday evening.
The Old Gold are in action in Annapolis the following night (tickets available here), so when nearby at their Baltimore base, members of Gary O’Neil’s squad will attend the American League East Division baseball fixture.
There, the Orioles’ hospitality will see Doherty given the pleasure of throwing the first pitch – a baseball tradition where a notable person throws a ceremonial pitch to signal the start of a game.
However, the Irishman isn’t the first Wolves player to try his hand at baseball. Will Devey, who represented the Old Gold between 1891 and 1892, played for Birmingham Baseball Club Limited in the 1890 National League of Baseball of Great Britain – the first and only professional baseball championship in Great Britain.
With baseball growing in popularity in the UK at the time, the sport was intended to provide a summer pastime for footballers and cricketers but lasted just one year.
Soon after, Devey moved to Molineux and scored 17 goals in 41 league appearances, making him the club’s top scorer for the 1891/92 season, before a move to Aston Villa followed.
Now, Doherty will continue what Devey started 134 years ago by throwing the first pitch at the Baltimore Orioles’ iconic Oriole Park at Camden Yards stadium.
Doherty said: “I’m really looking forward to it. I’m a fan of baseball and a lot of American sports – I watch all of them on TV. It’s something not many people can say they’ve done so it’s going to feel pretty special.
“On Tuesday I’ll probably be a bit anxious, a bit nervous, because I’ve never thrown a baseball really, but I’m going for it, I’m not messing around, I’m trying to hit the gloves as fast as I can.
“We heard about Will Devey’s story and it’s a cool thing in general. There’s not many people in America who can say they’ve done it, never mind coming over from England. The timing is right and I’m pretty fortunate I’m able to do it.
“This is more than an activity for me – some people would have this on a bucket list. This is an honour, a privilege. I feel quite blessed to be able to do it.”
