Former Chicago Cubs outfielder Dexter Fowler at Wrigley Field. Jul 22, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Dexter Fowler, a member of the Chicago Cubs World Series Champions team, reacts after he threw out a ceremonial first pitch before the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Ahead of Saturday’s Chicago Cubs game vs the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field, a Cubs World Series hero threw out the ceremonial first pitch in a very fitting way.

Dexter Fowler played center field over a highly productive 14-year major-league career. So, rather than stand on the mound, Fowler threw out the first pitch from the grass in center field.

Cubs fans — along with his mascot, the team mascot Clark the Cub — loved it.

That’s very well done. Fowler retired from playing baseball in January, but his arm is still holding up well.

Additionally, Fowler performed the Cubs’ seventh-inning stretch on Saturday, singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” in a suit (the Marquee Sports Network analyst later did postgame studio coverage after the Cubs’ 8-6 win; that’s quite a busy day).

Fowler, 37, was a National League All-Star in the Cubs’ World Series championship 2016 season. Along with playing a strong center field, Fowler was the team’s leadoff hitter and catalyst, putting together a .276/.393/.447 slash line with 13 home runs and 13 stolen bases. He capped off that season by hitting a homer to lead off the Cubs’ incredible title-clinching Game 7 victory — 8-7 in 10 innings — in Cleveland.

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About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.