Story by the Associated Press; curated by Dave Urbanski
WASHINGTON (AP) — An Army veteran wounded in Iraq made a unique ceremonial first pitch before Game 2 of the NL Division Series, crawling toward the mound and then lobbing the baseball as if it were a grenade.
Retired vet Brian Keaton walked onto the grass before getting on his stomach and crawling several feet at Nationals Park on Saturday.
Retired U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Brian Keaton mimics a grenade toss for the ceremonial first pitch before Game 2 of baseball's NL Division Series between the Washington Nationals and the San Francisco Giants in Nationals Park, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, in Washington. (Image source: AP/Alex Brandon)
He threw the ball with his left hand from behind the mound and the toss bounced home.
Retired U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Brian Keaton, mimics a grenade toss for the ceremonial first pitch before Game 2 of baseball's NL Division Series between the Washington Nationals and the San Francisco Giants in Nationals Park, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, in Washington. (Image source: AP/Rob Carr, Pool)
The crowd cheered loudly before San Francisco played Washington.
Retired U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Brian Keaton cheers after throwing the ceremonial first pitch before Game 2 of baseball's NL Division Series between the Washington Nationals and the San Francisco Giants in Nationals Park, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, in Washington. (Image source: AP/Rob Carr, Pool)
According to the Nationals, Keaton was wounded in a bomb explosion. The team said he spent 3 1-2 years at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center recovering from a traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Keaton walked into right field for a bear hug with Washington third baseman Anthony Rendon before the toss. As he left the field, Keaton embraced Nationals manager Matt Williams, pitcher Doug Fister and shortstop Ian Desmond.
