Alex the Great, the SF Giants’ Rally Rabbit, Just Threw a First Pitch

In case you’re not staying abreast of local celebrity rabbit news, over the weekend, Alex the Great — the San Francisco Giants’ official rally rabbit — threw out the first pitch at an Aces baseball game in Reno.

If you’re wondering how a thumbless, mostly horizontal, 28-pound butterball achieved this feat, he did so via the magic of modern machinery. Alex was provided with a little green pitching machine and some physical assistance from his human companion, Josh Row. All while wearing a teeny tiny baseball cap.

@reno_acesOnly in Minor League baseball do we have giant rabbits throw out the first pitch♬ original sound – Reno Aces

If you’re also wondering why footage of the actual pitch didn’t make it into this Reno Aces TikTok video, it’s probably because the ball stayed at rabbit height for its entire journey and had to roll the final couple of feet to the home plate. That’s okay, Alex! You’re doing great, Alex! You have no idea what’s going on, Alex!

Later on, as a fifth inning treat, Alex and Josh joined commentator Kevin DiDomenico in the broadcast booth. Alex, of course, ate a variety of leafy green snacks throughout, as he is wont to do.

Alex the Great was not the first animal seen throwing the ceremonial first pitch in recent weeks. On June 8, Pepe the Penguin stood around and watched while a human companion chucked the ball on his behalf at a White Sox game in Chicago. ESPN caught all the action:

@espn Have you ever seen a #penguin throw out the first pitch? 👀⚾ (via @Chicago White Sox) #mlb #baseball #whitesox #animals ♬ original sound – ESPN

Pepe is the animal ambassador of Brookfield Zoo, also in Chicago, and raises money and awareness for penguin-related conservation causes. If humans want to pretend he can throw inanimate objects on command, then so be it! Give that pretty little penguin some cash!

On the off-chance that the Giants are considering animal first pitchers for future games, we’d like to take this opportunity to put a vote in for Opal, the newest otter at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Opal is sassy, capable of being vertical and — most importantly — comfortable holding, throwing and smashing round objects. The ball’s in your field, Giants…