Tom Hanks HILARIOUSLY brings out iconic Cast Away volleyball Wilson for ceremonial first pitch at Cleveland Guardians’ home opener
Tom Hanks threw in a touch of comedy, compliments of Wilson the volleyball from Castaway, when he threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Cleveland Guardians’ home opener.
When he was announced to the home crowd at Progressive Field on Friday, the two-time Oscar-winner came strolling out to to the field carrying the bloody-faced volleyball that was Hanks’ co-star in the 2000 survival film.
Not long later, after putting Wilson on the ground, the volleyball started rolling away from the mound, leaving the crowd and broadcast announcers miffed at whether this was a staged comedy act.
Hanks and Wilson: Tom Hanks, 65, brought out Wilson the volleyball when he went out to deliver the ceremonial first pitch at the Cleveland Guardians’ home opener on Friday
Signature role: Tom Hanks is seen in 2000 classic fil Cast Away
Finished: He famously painted on a face on the volleyball to have a companion in the film
Hanks, a longtime Cleveland fan waved to the crowd with one hand while securing the famed volleyball in the other, as he slowly walked to the the front of the mound.
Upon arriving, the actor placed Wilson, which along with the blood mark also had a ‘C’ for Cleveland on it, on the ground and grabbed the nearby baseball for his throw.
As Hanks rubbed the baseball down for this throw, Wilson began to wobble and then fall off the mound on to the green field.
The honor: Hanks was joined for the ceremonial first pitch by Larry Doby jr., son of former Cleveland Indians star Larry Doby
The Castaways: Hanks walked out to the mound for his throw while carrying Wilson
All set: Hanks placed Wilson on the ground and then picked up the baseball ahead of his pitch
Shifty: Wilson the volleyball began to shift on the ground
‘There goes Wilson,’ said one announcer as the ball suddenly rolled about 10 feet to the right of the frame.
‘It’s windy today,’ replied the other announcer as Hanks was jogging back in place.
Hanks went into his routine again, but again Wilson took off, this time rolling about 30 feet to the right of the mound, before circling back near Hanks’ feet.
It’s at this point that people began to get suspicious.
‘This has got to be staged,’ an announcer declared, adding, ‘Wilson has got a mind of his own.’
Rub down: Alway the consummate actor, Hanks rubbed down the ball while Wilson was shifting on the ground a few feet away
Itchy: Wilson started to move off the mound just before the Sleepless In Seattle star prepared for his ceremonial first pitch
Life of its own: Wilson then moved about 10 feet o to the green grass, prompting the announcers to share that ‘it’s windy’ out there today
Castaway star ball: The ball had the bloody-faced print on one part of the ball and a ‘C’ for Cleveland on another part
As the volleyball kept rolling around, he added, ‘Maybe it’s remote controlled,’ which prompted his partner to answer, ‘It’s got to be.’
During all the action, Hanks was consummate actor, pointing at Wilson to return to his spot on the pitcher’s mound.
The camera then pulled in close to Wilson and it showed the ball randomly swaying from side-to-side, all but proving this was a remote-controlled device.
Finally, Hanks just went ahead and threw the ceremonial pitch to Larry Doby Jr., son of former Cleveland Indians star, all while Wilson rolled around in front of him.
While Hanks stood a few feet in front of the rubber, he was able to make a pretty good pitch a couple of feet off the target of the catcher at home plate.
Shifting: Hanks went into his routine again, but Wilson began to shift and then move on its own
Mind of its own: This time Wilson rolled to the right and then back in front of the mound in front of Hanks’ feet, all on its own
Working it: Being the acclaimed actor, Hanks began having fun by pointing to where he wanted Wilson to move towards
Mission accomplished: Finally, Hanks just went ahead and threw the ceremonial pitch to Larry Doby Jr., son of former Cleveland Indians star, all while Wilson rolled around in front of him
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