Houston hero J.J. Watt throws out World Series first pitch on crutches

Mike Oz
Houston Texans’ J.J. Watt prepares to throw out the first pitch before Game 3 of baseball’s World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Houston Astros Friday, Oct. 27, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Houston Texans’ J.J. Watt prepares to throw out the first pitch before Game 3 of baseball’s World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Houston Astros Friday, Oct. 27, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

For the first World Series game in Houston since 2005, the Astros could have chosen a number of worthwhile and notable people from the past dozen years to throw out the first pitch. Instead, they chose one man whose impact has been felt tremendously lately.

That’s J.J. Watt, the Houston Texas star defensive end, whose fund-raising efforts have topped $37 million since Hurricane Harvey ravaged Houston. It was a fitting honor for a man who has done a lot to help his city. Watt, who has since broken his leg, had to come out on crutches to do it.

But he still got the first pitch all the way to Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel, who was his catcher.

It wasn’t a strike, but hey, Watt is on crutches. That — and getting people to donate $37 million for hurricane relief — will get a guy some leeway with the umpires watching at home.

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Mike Oz is the editor of Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at mikeozstew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!