NBA’s AJ Dybantsa Throws First Pitch Ahead of Yankees-Red Sox Showdown

In a memorable prelude to Saturday’s showdown at Fenway Park, AJ Dybantsa, the Boston native and newly minted No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Boston Red Sox faced off against the New York Yankees. Standing tall at 6-foot-9, Dybantsa made an impressive sight on the mound, opting to throw from the pitching rubber rather than the front of the mound, a choice that added an air of authenticity to the event.

Fans watching couldn’t help but notice the potential for some playful banter when Dybantsa meets New York Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart next season. After all, they threw from the grass at Yankee Stadium, while Dybantsa showcased his skills from the rubber, perhaps for the safety of Red Sox pitcher Payton Tolle, who caught the pitch. With Dybantsa’s long reach, his throw had the potential to create some chaos had it strayed off course.

Fortunately, the pitch found its mark, landing squarely in the strike zone, albeit after a leisurely journey. Instead of zipping a fastball, Dybantsa opted for a high, arching delivery reminiscent of a lob pass, successfully executing what resembled an eephus pitch. While first pitches are usually subjected to radar guns, one might guess that Dybantsa’s offering didn’t exceed 55 mph.

His appearance may have brought some luck to the Red Sox, who secured their third consecutive win over the Yankees, triumphing 4-1. With the victory, Boston is poised to pursue a four-game sweep on Sunday. Jake Bennett was stellar on the mound, allowing just one run and three hits over 6 1/3 innings. The bullpen trio of Justin Slaten, Garrett Whitlock, and Aroldis Chapman closed out the game with 2 2/3 innings of hitless, scoreless relief.

Offensively, Willson Contreras delivered a key moment with a two-run double in the third inning, while rookie Anthony Siegler celebrated his first major-league home run. On the other side, Yankees starter Gerrit Cole faced difficulties, giving up four runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings, leaving him with nine runs and 16 hits allowed in his past two starts. Reflecting on his struggles, Cole noted, “The command sometimes isn’t there. I just tried to be more aggressive and not care as much about where the pitch was going.”

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.