It’s been quite the year for Pitt running back James Conner, but he will get an honor on Sunday.
Conner will throw out the ceremonial first pitch when the Pittsburgh Pirates open the Major League Baseball season by hosting the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park on Sunday.
After suffering a knee injury that cost him his season in Pitt’s first game of the season, Conner announced this past December he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma.
“I’m honored and thrilled to throw out the first pitch for the Pirates’ season opener and I want to thank everyone in the organization for this incredible invitation,” Conner said. “It has been a long time since I played baseball but I’ll make sure my arm is ready to throw a strike on Sunday. The Bucs’ road to the World Series begins this weekend and I can’t wait to be at PNC Park.”
Conner, who is the middle of treatments, has been a surprise by participating in the Panthers’ offseason workouts.
He was named the 2014 Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year after rushing for 1,765 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Photo Credit: USA Today Sports
