This is pretty damn cool. The Pittsburgh Pirates open the season on Saturday, April 3.
James Conner to open 2016 @MLB season with first pitch for @Pirates vs. Cardinals on Sunday at 1:05. #ConnerStrong pic.twitter.com/DJWj9zzcq6
— Pitt Football (@GoPittFootball) March 30, 2016
That’s right. James Conner will be throwing out the first pitch.
Pitt junior running back James Conner will throw out the ceremonial first pitch when the Pittsburgh Pirates open the Major League Baseball season by hosting the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park on Sunday at 1:05 p.m.
“I’m honored and thrilled to throw out the first pitch for the Pirates’ season opener and I want to thank everyone in the organization for this incredible invitation,” Conner said. “It has been a long time since I played baseball but I’ll make sure my arm is ready to throw a strike on Sunday. The Bucs’ road to the World Series begins this weekend and I can’t wait to be at PNC Park.”
One of college football’s elite players, Conner announced this past December he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. In the midst of his treatments, he has continued to surprise and inspire with his vigorous participation in the Panthers’ offseason workouts.
“Fear is a choice,” Conner said. “I choose to not fear cancer. I choose to fight it, and I will win.”
A native of Erie, Pa., and graduate of McDowell High School, Conner was selected the 2014 Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year after rushing for 1,765 yards and 26 touchdowns. He was named to seven postseason All-America squads, including first-team honors from the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).
But Conner has been an All-American off the field as well. Although sidelined in 2015 due to a knee injury, he was honored as a member of the prestigious Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, a select group of football student-athletes who have made a positive impact on others and their communities.
Conner’s volunteerism includes time with Children’s Hospital, Mel Blount Youth Home, the humanitarian organization World Vision as well as the National Kidney Foundation, which honored him with its 2015 “Small Hands Big Heart” Award. During Conner’s hospital visits, he hands out his used game gloves as souvenirs to young patients.
Conner has finished four chemo treatments, and while not fully practicing this spring, he has participated in some drills and is constantly with the team.
Really, really cool. Great stuff from the Pirates and Pitt.
If the opener is on Saturday I believe it is the 2nd, not the 3rd of April.
Hail to Pitt!
Let’s go Bucs!
Kidding – that should be a lot of fun for him… and maybe some publicity for Pitt football at the same time.
This is simply terrific!! Connor strong!!
I wanted Conner on defense because we had no pass rush and because he would have been more valuable to the NFL if he was a great pass rusher.
No doubt he is a great running back, but 6 wins pretty much stinks. You can’t have all of your great players on one side of the ball. Do you still want Whitehead on offense too? Only one guy can carry the ball at a time.
Lou – Conner has 2 or 3 chemo treatments left. He has been working out all offseason at the Southside facilities and has been at all the voluntary off season drills (between players), workouts and now all the spring practices.
He isn’t full contact yet though but from what I hear he’ll be in uniform for the opener vs Villanova.
Personally i don’t think we’ll see any real production out of him until a few weeks in – maybe in October – if indeed he gets back to 100% at all. That is why in my other article I stated it might not be a bad idea to start Hill out at RB as I think Hill could be one of those HS RBs who comes in and blows up the field.
Anyway, as I do, I’m setting my expectations down to Conner being one of four RBs to play in 2016 but I don’t think he’ll be the featured back. But that’s me, others may have different opinions and the real decider will be not only how well does Conner do in fall camp but how well Ollison, Ibrahim and Hall do then.
Sean M is 3rd at nearly $5M (no wonder he stayed)
JD was 7th @ $3.3 total which included $1.7M in bonuses (probably for stuff like > 20 wins and making the NCAA — although they are not exposed)
here’s the link
When he ran last year we won, when he didn’t we usually lost. Some guys are not good practice players. I know that frustrates coaches.
Also having a great line makes everyone better.
Runners run better, QB’s throw better, receivers get open better.
This should be our best O-line in many years.
Still interested in how the D-line is coming along, especially the tackles and Hendrix.
What a stark and sad indicment on Dixon’s recruiting talent (lackthereof).
While Lemieux’s comeback was impressive, he didn’t take the beating a RB does. Not even close.
Chemo weakens the entire body and has many side affects. Bring him back slowly.
I think Pitt’s line is the best we have seen in many years. Hill would be ridiculous running behind them.
Sounds about right to me.
Ollison 212 carries, 1121 yards, 5.3 yds per carry
Conner 298 carries, 1765 yards, 5.9 yds per carry
Conner was obviously the feature back and ran behind Clemmings and Rotherham, two fifth year seniors and future pros. It was Conners second year of experience.
Ollison ran behind a rebuilt offensive line and for a coach that favored the pass. It was Ollison’s first year of experience.
I am certainly not saying that Conner isn’t the better back, certainly in the red zone he is fantastic. I just don’t get the perception that Ollison is a great back as well. Certainly not as flashy and much less PR, but really productive.
… and this didn’t help his case
No word on Knight yet. I’m thinking he will not return. Has an offer to be top assistant on Rutgers staff. Assuming he would not be top guy under Stallings. Played his high school ball in Jersey at Seton Hall Prep
I have no issue whatever with BK staying, would prefer it in fact.
I get that was one example, but I’m sure there are others. Without Slice and Brandin recruiting may have been much worse…
Not sure whether I care if BK stays or not, but it would be a good opportunity for him to learn from another guy. Depends on if he has a better option. Rutgers makes sense geographically for him.
I watched that video about 10-15 times just to be sure that I was seeing everything correctly. IMHO, Ollie got a bad rap on that one. I hope you can find the full video to confirm.
H2P!
Get well soon and what an inspiration!
Happy for James!