Charlie Baker throws out first pitch at Red Sox game, reveals ‘Free Brady’ shirt
This time, he donned a Barstool-approved shirt.
The bar for politician first pitches is a relatively high one. But as far as Boston Red Sox first pitches go, Gov. Charlie Baker achieved the near-platonic ideal Saturday night.
The Massachusetts governor threw out the ceremonial first pitch, alongside U.S. Army Sgt. Kurt Powers, before Saturday’s home game against the Minnesota Twins. Not only was his toss on target, Baker revealed that underneath his customized No. 16 jersey, he was wearing a “Free Brady” shirt in support of Tom Brady in the Deflategate controversy.
Brady recently relented and dropped his appeal of his four-game suspension by the NFL, but the quarterback had received consistent backing from his state’s governor throughout the 18-month saga.
Last August, Baker donned a red Free Brady shirt while taking the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge at the Massachusetts State House. However, the governor’s shirt, which he said was sent to him, set off a small controversy in certain corners of the internet, after Barstool Sports founder David Portnoy called him out for wearing a “knockoff” version, rather than the “original” Free Brady shirt, which Barstool sells. The governor subsequently apologized.
Taking the field Saturday, Baker showed off a Free Brady shirt appearing to match the one Bartstool sells.
Portnoy indicated his approval Saturday in a tweet.
Looking good @CharlieBakerMA #freebrady pic.twitter.com/BXmqOKDHHo
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) July 23, 2016
Again, Baker went on to throw a pretty solid first pitch in front of the New England crowd: right down the middle—just like, to some degree, his policies.
https://twitter.com/katielannan/status/756992893273903106
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com