Boston Marathon

Boston Marathon grand marshal Rob Gronkowski spikes first pitch at Fenway Park

"Grand marshal Robbie G in the house, baby."

Former New England Patriots NFL football player Rob Gronkowski spikes the ball instead of throwing it during the ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Guardians, Monday, April 15, 2024, in Boston.
Rob Gronkowski put an emphatic stamp on the Red Sox' pregame festivities before their Patriots Day game against Cleveland. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

By Conor Ryan

1 minute to read

Gronk’s gonna Gronk.

The Patriots legend and grand marshal of the 2024 Boston Marathon put an emphatic stamp on the Red Sox’ pregame ceremony ahead of their annual Patriots Day game on Monday morning. 

Tasked with throwing out the first pitch ahead of Boston’s 11:10 a.m. matchup against the Guardians, Gronkowski’s offering from the mound didn’t even make it to home plate.

True to form, the four-time Super Bowl champion instead opted to spike the baseball into the dirt directly in front of him — an homage to his end zone celebration during his time with both the Patriots and Buccaneers.

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You can watch Gronkowski’s first “pitch” below: 

Gronkowski also took over the Red Sox’ X account shortly after the start of Monday’s game to offer up a shoutout to fans.

“Grand marshal Robbie G in the house, baby,” Gronkowski said. “Just got finished doing my duties, waving to all my fans throughout the Boston Marathon course. And now I’m here at Fenway Park throwing out the first pitch. Huge shoutout to the Boston Red Sox, let’s go!”

It wasn’t quite a 26.2-mile run from Hopkinton to Boylston Street, but the 34-year-old Gronkowski made his way all over the Commonwealth on Monday morning.

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As grand marshal of the 2024 Boston Marathon, Gronkowski rode through the marathon course on Monday in an All-Electric 2024 Honda Prologue, bringing the trophy to the finish line near Copley Square before the arrival of the elite runners.

Earlier this year, Gronkowski was named as the 2024 recipient of the Patriots’ Award. Given annually by the Boston Athletic Association, the award is presented to someone who is “patriotic, philanthropic, and inspirational, and fosters goodwill and sportsmanship.”

Gronkowski is the latest in a long line of Boston sports legends to serve as grand marshal of the Boston Marathon. Red Sox legend David Ortiz handled grand-marshal duties last year during the 2023 Boston Marathon. 

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Conor Ryan

Sports Writer

 

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.

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