Strider throws 'first pitch' at Braves superfan's concert
Michael Clair
@michaelsclairSpencer Strider has thrown only nine innings for the Braves this season as he works to come back from season-ending elbow surgery. But on Friday, when indie musician Faye Webster played a show in Atlanta, Strider -- well known for his love of music (he previously joined Foolish Baseball to rank his favorite The Strokes records) -- was on hand to help the Atlanta native begin her concert. Naturally, this led to the first ever (we think) concert "first pitch."
With Webster in a red Braves uniform (and after a bizarre Minions video), Strider gave her an underhanded toss -- remember, he's still not cleared to pitch yet -- with the crowd offering a hearty cheer in response.
The night was a perfect combo for both stars' interests. In August, Strider helped the Braves give away special vinyl singles from three of his favorite Atlanta artists -- Trash Panda, Lunar Vacation and Dinner Time -- personally selecting each artist and song for the promotion.
Meanwhile, Webster is not just a Braves fan, but even released "A Dream About a Ballplayer," chronicling her teenage crush on Ronald Acu?a Jr.
"[It's a] song about Ronald Acu?a Jr., obviously," Webster said in a statement at the time. "Off tour I spent so much of my time watching baseball that I thought I wanted to be a baseball player. But I¡¯m not, so I guess the next best thing was having a crush on one. I guess this song explains what having a crush feels like. Having made up conversations with them in your head even though you don¡¯t speak their language, wearing their team jersey every day, things that make you feel closer to this person that you don¡¯t know at all. But I sang at the Braves game, and they let us meet, so I think I got that one out of my system."
She later got to sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" at the Braves' ballpark -- though perhaps it's time for her to get a first pitch from the mound, too.