Ben Roethlisberger might have retired from the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the two-time Super Bowl champion has at least one more throw in him.
The Pirates are having Big Ben throw out a ceremonial first pitch before their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on July 29 at PNC Park, as part of their Yinzerpalooza festivities.
The team shared the news Wednesday afternoon on social media, with Roethlisberger wearing a Pirates jersey with his name and No. 7 on the back: “It wouldn’t be Yinzerpalooza without a proper first pitch!”
It wouldn’t be Yinzerpalooza without a proper first pitch!
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 20, 2022
Big Ben will be doing the honors on July 29.
The Pirates are pulling out all the stops to celebrate everything Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania by adding Roethlisberger to the list of special events that include a pregame pirogi eating contest, appearances from Pittsburgh celebrities and Pirates alumni and a postgame concert by The Clarks.
This isn’t Roethlisberger’s first rodeo with the Pirates. He took batting practice with them before a game against the Chicago Cubs in June 2014, hitting former pitching coach Ray Searage in the outfield with a line drive.
More Roethlisberger news:
• Ben Roethlisberger capped a storybook career as a surefire Hall of Famer; what’s next is anyone’s guess• Ben Roethlisberger’s career highlights span more than 2 decades
• Ben Roethlisberger announces retirement after 18 seasons with Steelers
Roethlisberger, who retired in late January after throwing for 64,008 yards and 418 touchdowns in 18 seasons, also visited the Penguins and Pirates on Feb. 19 in an early celebration of his 40th birthday.
Roethlisberger’s wife, Ashley, arranged a day of competition for him, so he spent part of the day working out with Penguins stars Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, then took batting practice with the Pirates coaching staff.
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Wearing a No. 7 Penguins black-and-gold sweater, Roethlisberger did the ceremonial puck drop before a game against the New York Rangers at PPG Paints Arena.
Now the ol’ cowboy gets to show off his six-shooter by throwing out a first pitch against the Phillies at PNC Park.
