Rangers fans will see Dirk on the mound after all.
The Texas Rangers nominated superfan Dirk Nowitzki, the same guy who led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals and was named MVP, to throw out a the first pitch at one of the three home World Series games.
The plan? Take a local sports icon and world champion who also happens to be the most beloved Germans to cross the pond since Heidi Klum and let him throw out the first pitch at a World Series game.
Seems like a home run, right? Not to officials with Major League Baseball -- at least, not at first.
But Rangers spokesman John Blake confirmed Wednesday night that Dirk has accepted an offer to throw the first pitch in Game 3 Saturday night at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
But why did the MLB initially nix the idea?
They didn't say no because Dirk can't throw. He tossed out the ceremonial first pitch June 25 before a game against the Mets, shortly after the Mavs beat the hated Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. He also tossed out the first pitch on April 6, 2003, before a Rangers/Mariners game.
Sports Connection
Connecting you to your favorite North Texas sports teams as well as sports news around the globe.
They didn't say no because he isn't high profile enough. Dirk is known by just his first name all over the world. You don't get much more high profile than that.
ESPN reported that MLB officials told the Rangers it has nothing to do with the NBA lockout or a desire to support their counterparts in executive management, but because they didn't say why the big German wasn't selected, we suspect that's exactly what it has to do with.
What else could it be? Join in the discussion in the comments below or on Twitter using the hashtag #letdirkpitch.
Dirk, the class act that he is, said this in response to the Twitter campaign: "Thanks every1 on the support regarding first pitch. Its ok.Mlb is too old school. I will still be there to support our boys. Let's get game1."
Sidebar: Dirk tweeted earlier in the day that he was picking the Rangers to win the series in six.
