Tigers followers might not have had this yr’s dominant season on their bingo card, however even fewer may have predicted the hilarious and weird scene that performed out earlier than Wednesday’s sport.
Actor John C. Reilly, 60, threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Comerica Park earlier than Detroit performed the Rays, however not with out belting out an sudden rendition of “Happy Birthday” to Jack White, the frontman of The White Stripes.
“Will you join me in singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to my friend Jack White?” Reilly requested the 22,019 bewildered followers in attendance.
The “Step Brothers” and “Talladega Nights” star then went on to croon the lyrics to “Happy Birthday” as followers sang alongside.
White, who turned 50 on Wednesday, took all of it in from the stands, trying on with a mixture of amusement, embarrassment and shock.
As Reilly completed signing and exclaimed, “Play Ball!” the audio system started to blast Seven Nation Military, the White Stripes’ mega-hit that has was a stadium basic.
Born in Chicago, Reilly met White backstage at a White Stripes live performance many years in the past, and the pair hit it off after discovering widespread floor over their Midwestern backgrounds and Catholic upbringings.
Wednesday’s Tigers sport. AP
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White, a Detroit native, is a lifelong Tigers fan.
In a follow-up interview on the Tigers’ broadcast, Reilly confirmed that White had no concept he could be serenaded — or that Reilly would even be on the sport.
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Reilly additionally famous that the Tigers jersey he wore to throw out the primary pitch was the identical one he donned in Kevin Costner’s 1999 movie “For the Love of the Game,” by which Reilly performed a Tigers catcher named Gus Sinski.
After he made his manner up from the sector, Reilly took within the sport in White’s suite, alongside the rock star’s spouse and mom.
The hysterical sing-a-long supplied no good luck allure to the Tigers, although, who suffered a 7-3 loss regardless of having the most effective file in baseball (59-35).
