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50 Cent's Infamous First Pitch: The Complete Story Of The Worst Throw In History And His Epic Redemption

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The ceremonial first pitch is meant to be a moment of honor, but for hip-hop mogul Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, it became a decade-long viral punchline. The infamous 2014 throw at Citi Field is still widely regarded as one of the worst pitches in baseball history, a moment of uncoordinated chaos that launched a thousand memes and cemented the rapper's place in sports blooper reels. But the story doesn't end there. In a truly remarkable and recent update, 50 Cent finally achieved his long-awaited redemption, proving that even the most embarrassing public moments can be overcome. As of late 2024, the narrative has shifted from pure mockery to an inspiring tale of a celebrity taking a second shot at a viral failure.

Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson III: A Biographical Profile

The man behind the viral pitch and the music empire is Curtis James Jackson III. His life story is one of resilience, transformation, and multi-faceted success that spans across music, television, film, and business.
  • Full Name: Curtis James Jackson III
  • Date of Birth: July 6, 1975
  • Place of Birth: South Jamaica, Queens, New York, USA
  • Occupation: Rapper, Songwriter, Television Producer, Actor, Entrepreneur
  • Notable Albums: Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2003), The Massacre (2005)
  • Notable TV/Film Works: Executive Producer of the Power universe (including Power, Book II: Ghost, Book III: Raising Kanan, and Book IV: Force), Den of Thieves (2018)
  • Entrepreneurial Ventures: G-Unit Records, G-Unit Clothing Company, SMS Audio, and a highly successful partnership with Vitamin Water (Glaceau).
Despite his global fame and business acumen, it was a single, errant throw of a baseball that briefly overshadowed his entire career.

The Infamous Throw: May 27, 2014, at Citi Field

The original, legendary throw took place on May 27, 2014, before a New York Mets game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field in Queens, New York. The event was intended to promote his album, Animal Ambition, and celebrate the local Queens native. What transpired, however, was a moment of pure, unadulterated sports comedy.

The Mechanics of a Disaster

50 Cent, a left-handed thrower, took to the mound and wound up for the pitch. The ball left his hand with surprising force but absolutely no control. Instead of traveling toward home plate, the ball veered dramatically to the left, sailing far wide of the catcher, Anthony Recker, and dangerously close to a group of photographers standing near the third-base line. The pitch was so comically inaccurate that it instantly went viral. It was dubbed the "worst first pitch in history" by many media outlets and became an immediate staple in baseball blooper reels. Even the rapper himself was visibly shocked, turning away from the mound with a look of disbelief and amusement. The Mets’ official video of the incident simply described the pitch as "juuuuuust a bit outside."

The Aftermath and Viral Legacy

The rapper's reaction to the pitch was part of what made the moment so enduring. He took the mockery in stride, often joking about it in interviews and on social media. His own commentary on the event was priceless, once stating, "I’m a hustler not a damn ball player. LMAO." Years later, the viral momentum had not faded. In 2018, 50 Cent admitted he was surprised by the longevity of the meme. "This is never going away," he commented, acknowledging that the one terrible throw had become an indelible part of his public image, often brought up alongside his music and television successes. The pitch became a cultural touchstone, a shorthand for public failure and the inherent difficulty of the ceremonial first pitch. The New York Mets, recognizing the pitch's enduring fame, even offered the hip-hop star a chance to redeem himself with a do-over at Citi Field, an offer he would eventually take up—though not with the Mets.

Redemption on the Mound: The Savannah Bananas Do-Over

The story of the worst first pitch in history finally found its resolution a full decade after the original event. The moment of redemption came not at a Major League Baseball game, but with the viral, exhibition-style baseball team, the Savannah Bananas.

A New Stage in Houston

In a recent performance in late 2024, 50 Cent was invited to throw the ceremonial first pitch at a sold-out Savannah Bananas game at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. The Bananas, known for their "Banana Ball" rules and theatrical approach to the game, provided the perfect setting for a celebrity seeking a high-stakes do-over. This time, 50 Cent was ready. He was there not just to throw, but to perform, kicking off the event by singing his iconic single, "In Da Club," alongside the Bananas players.

The Successful Throw

When it came time for the pitch, the contrast with the 2014 disaster was stark. The rapper stepped onto the mound and delivered a successful, clean throw to the catcher. The ball was on target, crossing the plate without veering wildly off course. The moment was a huge success, immediately celebrated by the crowd and the media as the "redemption" he had been waiting for. The event turned a decade of mockery into a positive, feel-good story. It proved that the entrepreneurial spirit of 50 Cent—the ability to pivot, hustle, and succeed—extended even to his ability to throw a baseball. The story of 50 Cent’s first pitch is now a complete arc: from an infamous failure that became a global meme to a celebrated moment of redemption. It’s a testament to his personality and business savvy that he turned a moment of embarrassment into a viral opportunity, and then, a decade later, successfully closed the loop with a well-aimed throw. The once "worst pitch in history" now serves as a funny footnote to a much larger story of success and second chances.
50 cent first pitch
50 cent first pitch

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