NewsAikman to throw out Thursday's first pitch
NFL legend is member of Padres' newest ownership groupBy Amy Brittain / MLB.com
07/01/09 10:50 PM ET
SAN DIEGO -- Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman will take to the mound on Thursday to throw the ceremonial first pitch before the Padres wrap up their series with the Astros at 12:35 p.m. PT at PETCO Park. Aikman's pitch will occur at approximately 12:24 p.m. Aikman is part of the Jeff Moorad-led ownership group that purchased about 35 percent of the Padres in April. Aikman attended a Padres game on June 17 at PETCO Park, marking his first appearance in the owner's box since taking an ownership role. Aikman won three Super Bowl titles during a 12-year tenure with the Dallas Cowboys from 1989-2000. Aikman should make a decent showing on the mound Thursday, considering he excelled in both football and baseball in high school. The New York Mets were interested in signing him out of high school, but Aikman chose to attend the University of Oklahoma, later transferring to UCLA for a prolific college football career. Aikman threw for more than 32,000 yards and 165 touchdowns during his NFL career. The Southern California native made six Pro Bowl appearances and was named MVP of Super Bowl XXVII.Amy Brittain is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
