Dirk Nowitzki Not Allowed to Throw Out First Pitch in the World Series

Well, that’s just not cool, Major League Baseball. Not cool at all. According to ESPN, the Texas Rangers were denied in their attempt to have Dirk Nowitzki throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to one of their home World Series games: “The Texas Rangers nominated Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki to throw out a first pitch before one of their home games in the World Series, but sources with knowledge of the team’s plans say that the recommendation has been nixed by Major League Baseball. Unlike regular-season games, all first-pitch assignments in the World Series have to be approved from a list of candidates by the league office. Sources told ESPNDallas.com that — with the NBA in the midst of a lockout that has spanned 111 days — at least some hesitation stems from the idea that MLB executives want to stand behind their basketball counterparts and have notified the Rangers that they can’t bestow first-pitch honors on an NBA player. Major League Baseball insists that the NBA’s labor unrest had no impact on Nowitzki not being selected to throw out the first pitch.”