Tyrese Haliburton, the All-Star point guard for the Indiana Pacers, recently fulfilled a long-awaited dream by throwing the first pitch at Wrigley Field. This event took place before the Chicago Cubs faced off against their National League Central rivals, the Milwaukee Brewers. Haliburton, donning a Cubs jersey featuring his name and the number zero, managed to get the pitch over the plate, albeit a bit high, demonstrating his enthusiasm for the occasion.
Despite his limited experience with baseball, Haliburton's pitch reached the Cubs mascot, Clark the Cub, who had to stand up to catch it. This moment was particularly notable considering Haliburton's background; he had not engaged in baseball for years prior to participating in the Pacers Foundation Charity Softball Classic just a week earlier, where he performed impressively, going 4-for-5 at the plate. Haliburton admitted that he had not swung a bat for quite some time before that charity event.
The journey to this first pitch at Wrigley Field has been an interesting one for Haliburton, who hails from Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Growing up, he was a fan of the Milwaukee Brewers, although basketball and football always took precedence in his sports interests. Prior to the 2024 NBA playoffs, the Brewers had extended an invitation for him to throw a first pitch at one of their games. However, after the Pacers eliminated the Bucks in the first round of those playoffs, the Brewers rescinded their offer, leaving Haliburton in search of another opportunity.
In October 2025, while recovering from an Achilles tendon injury sustained during the NBA Finals, Haliburton caught the attention of both the Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers. At that time, he was seen wearing a Kyle Tucker Cubs jersey during a Pacers game coinciding with a Brewers playoff matchup against the Cubs. He later donned a Shohei Ohtani jersey when the Brewers faced the Dodgers in the NL Championship Series. This visibility led to offers from both teams for him to throw a first pitch at a home game, and Haliburton ultimately chose the Cubs, stating that it “just made more sense.”
During the event, the Cubs displayed a graphic highlighting Haliburton's dual identity as a Pacers player and a Cubs fan, further emphasizing the significance of the moment. The first pitch not only marked a personal milestone for Haliburton but also showcased the intersection of basketball and baseball fandom, as he celebrated his love for the Cubs while representing his basketball career.
Haliburton's first pitch at Wrigley Field serves as a reminder of the connections between sports and personal passions, illustrating how athletes can bridge different sports worlds. As he continues his career with the Pacers, this experience will undoubtedly remain a cherished memory for the young star.
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