It was a champion’s homecoming at Busch Stadium in St. Louis for Matthew Tkachuk and Jayson Tatum on Sunday.
The respective Stanley Cup and NBA Champions teamed up to throw out the first pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Tkachuk and Tatum were classmates at Chaminade College Preparatory School and, over a decade later, the childhood pals still haven’t forgotten where they came from, reuniting with a third classmate to recreate their iconic school bus photo.
Despite ending up at near opposite ends of the country as they pursue their professional careers, the Tkachuk and Tatum stayed connected and combined in June to bring two championships back to St. Louis.
“Tkachuk, yo, get it done tomorrow,” Tatum said after his Boston Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks in five games. “One kid from St. Louis won a championship today, let’s make it two tomorrow.”
The Panthers winger also told reporters ahead of the Stanley Cup Final that he was watching his high school pal through the NBA playoffs, noting how meaningful it would be for his hometown to watch two of their own emerge victorious at the highest levels.
“I think it would be unreal for Chaminade and all of St. Louis if we can both win it… Yeah, I’m definitely cheering for him. Definitely.”
Two months and two championships later, Tkachuk and Tatum returned with their hardware in hand, ready to celebrate in the city where it all started.
On a sunny afternoon at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, hockey player Brady Tkachuk from the Florida Panthers and basketball player Jayson Tatum from the Boston Celtics had the honor of throwing out the first pitch at a St. Louis Cardinals game.
Both Tkachuk and Tatum are known for their athleticism and competitive spirits in their respective sports, so it was no surprise that they brought that same energy to the pitcher’s mound. Tkachuk, a forward for the Panthers, showed off his powerful arm as he wound up and delivered a fastball right down the middle. Tatum, a forward for the Celtics, followed suit with a smooth delivery that impressed the crowd.
The two athletes were greeted with cheers and applause from fans as they took the field, showcasing the strong bond between sports fans across different leagues. It was a special moment for both Tkachuk and Tatum, who were able to experience a different side of competition and camaraderie on the baseball diamond.
As they walked off the field, Tkachuk and Tatum shared a fist bump and exchanged words of encouragement, highlighting the mutual respect between athletes from different sports. Their presence at the Cardinals game served as a reminder of the unity and sportsmanship that transcends individual games and teams.
Overall, Tkachuk and Tatum’s first pitch at the Cardinals game was a memorable moment for fans and players alike. It was a testament to the power of sports to bring people together and create lasting memories that go beyond wins and losses.