Tom Hanks to throw out ceremonial first pitch for Cleveland Guardians home opener

Ryan Lewis, Akron Beacon Journal
·2 min read
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Actor Tom Hanks will throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Cleveland Guardians home opener on April 15, the team has announced.

Hanks, who got his start in acting at the Great Lakes Theater Festival in Cleveland, also narrated the video the team used to unveil the new name.

“I’ve had Guardians fever since 1977 when I caught my first game in Section 19 of Cleveland’s Lakefront Municipal Stadium,” Hanks said in a release. “I’m honored to return to Cleveland and Progressive Field for the first home game of the Cleveland Guardians era.”

The Guardians are set to open Progressive Field for the 2022 season at 7:10 p.m. April 15 against the San Francisco Giants.

Tom Hanks arrives at the 2020 Oscars.
Tom Hanks arrives at the 2020 Oscars.

Shane Bieber to take mound for opening day

As for the first pitch of the season that will matter, which for the Guardians is on April 7 against Kansas City, that will be thrown by ace and former Cy Young award winner Shane Bieber.

This is the first season in recent years in which the opening day starter wasn't as clear cut heading into spring camp due to the lockout and shortened time frame leading up to the regular season. The team was cautious to name the opening day starter until Thursday night, when manager Terry Francona said everything would, in fact, line up to have Bieber on the mound on April 7.

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How the rest of the rotation will fall into place behind Bieber remains up in the air. The Guardians and other teams will be dealing with a different setup to begin the season, as many pitchers won't be fully stretched out to their normal workloads.

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"Yeah, we've given it a lot of thought. Bieber is going to start on opening day," Francona said. "Then we have a day off. [Pitching coach] Carl [Willis] and I need to get with the pitchers before we go any further."

Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Guardians at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/cleveland-guardians. Follow him on Twitter at @ByRyanLewis.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Tom Hanks to throw out ceremonial first pitch for Guardians opener