Phoenix Suns’ Josh Jackson misses plate with first pitch at D-Backs game

The Phoenix Suns will hope Josh Jackson is a better basketball player than he is baseball player.

The fourth overall pick in Thursday night’s NBA Draft appeared at an Arizona Diamondbacks game to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

It didn’t go well.

Jackson took aim from the pitcher’s mound, wound up and let fly. The throw missed its target to the right by a wide margin, missing the outstretched mitt of Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley.

https://twitter.com/SInow/status/878441531618856960

Jackson’s first pitch companion Haason Reddick, who was recently drafted in the first round of the NFL draft for the Arizona Cardinals, impressed with a perfect pitch down the middle.

Reddick may not ever etch his name alongside great multi-sport athletes like Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders, but he at least didn’t embarrass himself.

Jackson on the other hand can look forward to a lifetime of YouTube “First Pitch Fails” compilations and an appearance on ESPN’s “Not-Top 10 list.”

Maybe the Celtics dodged a bullet after a “scheduling conflict” got in the way of their private workout with Jackson?

Suns fans will hope to see a a more naturally gifted athlete in the 2017-18 NBA season. There first look at the 6-foot-7 forward will come in a few weeks as NBA Summer League kicks off.

Luckily for Jackson, his opening pitch debacle will likely be overshadowed by the pathetic pitch performance made by former Red Sox great David Ortiz — a man who was paid to play baseball professionally for nearly two decades.

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As for where Josh Jackson’s cringe inducing first pitch ranks in the all-time echelon of bad pitches? I’d say he’s squarely between 50 Cent and John Wall.

Which in the grand scheme of things, is actually pretty cool company.