Thirty years after his PGA Championship win, John Daly made more news by throwing the first pitch into the stands at a St. Louis Cardinals game.
“We’re gonna throw it as far as we can, brother,” John Daly said before he threw the first pitch at Wednesday’s Cardinals-Dodgers game while referencing his PGA Championship feat 30 years ago.
One of Daly’s nicknames was “Wild Thing,” so maybe this pitch was more appropriate during his playing career.
According to People, “The John Daly Night” special guest heaved the ball into the air. He hoped to clear the backstop screen and get it to the Cardinal fans, but he failed.
Surprisingly, there was no mulligan. The ceremonial pitch was supposed to go to retired Cardinals pitcher Ryan Franklin.
Afterward, he jokingly told the former player, “It slipped.”
The back story on Daly’s 1991 win involves Daly winning on the event with his signature long drive. He was the ninth and final alternate before the tournament started at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Ind.
According to ESPN, Daly went on to win and gave $30,000 to the family of a man who died during the tournament. The man died from a lightning strike, and the money went to pay for the college expenses of his two daughters.
John Daly Did Things Differently
The 55-year-old Californian won five times on the PGA Tour and picked up 17 professional wins over the years.
John Daly shook up the golf world with his swing and his attitude. He even picked up a cult-like status on tour, with fans following him to see what would happen next.
The mighty swing helped when he turned pro in 1987. He bounced around for years until he found success at the 1991 PGA event.
After that, it was seemingly all downhill from there. Troubles with alcohol, gambling, health, and four wives lingered in the background for the golfer. John Daly lived the life of an unexpected hero.
The smoker and avid Diet Coca-Cola drinker even recorded a couple of albums and had a duet with Kid Rock.
‘Daly Night’ A Hit
The golfer wore a Cardinals jersey with his name and the number 91 on the back.
Sports Illustrated caught Daly showing off his fan appreciation, too.
“I’m the biggest Cardinals fan you could ever think of,” John Daly said.
Cardinals fans got a free Daly bobblehead, and part of the ticket sales went to the PGA REACH Foundation. The charity connects PGA pros and the game of golf to youth, military, and diverse populations.
The golfer was able to make the event because he was in town for a PGA event. Daly is participating in this weekend’s PGA Tour Champions Ascension Charity Classic at Norwood Hills Country Club in Jennings.
