The Associated Press
Boxer Manny Pacquiao, of the Philippines, throws the ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 21, 2009.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009 | 10:30 a.m.
The world's best pound-for-pound boxer tried his skill at pitching Tuesday night in San Francisco.
Manny Pacquiao, the Filipino superstar threw out the ceremonial first pitch on Filipino Heritage Night during the San Francisco Giants' game against the San Diego Padres.
The WBC lightweight and super featherweight champion also caused an uproar as he emerged from the Giants dugout to throw the first pitch. He received a noisy standing ovation from fans, many of whom were not Filipino. As Pacquiao stood atop the mound and basked in the applause, his catcher settled in behind the plate: Giants Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum, who's half-Filipino.
That contingent, as well as the reaction at the ballpark, reinforced the notion that Pacquiao has become a cultural phenomenon. He seemed aware of this.
"I'm doing my best to make people happy," he said.
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