Last night, Dirk Nowitzki hosted his 3rd Annual Celebrity Baseball Game at the Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco. In front of a sellout crowd of nearly 9,200, Dirk’s White Soxs prevailed over the Blues Sox 17-16.
The night was filled with several big name celebrities and athletes; including Tony Romo, Michael Young, Dez Bryant, Jason Garrett, Terrell Owens, Terrance Williams, Vernon Wells, Tyler Seguin, Josh Henderson and Pudge Rodriguez.
The Dallas Mavericks were represented well in the game with Rick Carlisle, Donnie Nelson, Eddie Najera, Michael Finley, Shane Larkin, Monta Ellis, Devin Harris, Bernard James and former 2011 Mavs Champion Brian Cardinal. Even Mavs fan favorite Jason “JET” Terry was spotted signing autographs before the game, but didn’t play.
Of course, the game wouldn’t be complete with the Mavs Maniacs, Dancers and Drumline on hand as well.
9200 people came. Insane. Sell out. You guys are amazing. Thanks for supporting my baseball game.
— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) June 22, 2014
The evening provided an up close and personal opportunity for fans to see their Mavs relax and just have fun. And they showed just why they are professional basketball, not baseball, players.
While Dirk will be known by the end of his career as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, he will unavoidably be known as perhaps one of the worse baseball players of all time. By the end of the night Dirk, who played first base, was able to crank out one single and a run scored while leading his team to victory.
Devin Harris showed off his athletic ability playing respectably well at second base and Monta Ellis showed he should stick to playing on the hardwood, and I think we’re all okay with that.
Mavs Champion, Brian Cardinal was Co-MVP for the night with the Big German after getting the game-winning hit in the seventh inning. For those concerned Mavs fans, the most important news of the night was that the game ended without any injuries to any of the players.
The unsung hero of the night had to be Michael Finley who spent the majority of the night signing autographs and interacting with fans. Harris and Michael Young provided lots of lucky fans with autographed memorabilia. Dirk Nowitzki, according the Ben Rogers, was one of the last players in the park, signing autographs for fans even after the lights turned off.
Make no mistake with all the fun and action during the Celebrity Baseball Game the real stars weren’t actually in the big game at all. They were those that got to play a game on the field before the game, youth with physical and intellectual disabilities.
The game provided them an unforgettable experience filled with excitement, courage and inspiration – not to mention huge applause from the crowd as they left the field. Their smiles coming off the field to the cheers of the crowd were the true highlight of the night.
I’d say the Heroes Foundation achieved its goal.
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