That Time Hugo Chávez Threw Out The First Pitch At Shea Stadium

Author:
Extra Mustard
Publish date:
Mar 5, 2013

Hugo Chávez, the polarizing president of Venezuela who died Tuesday at 58, had cast himself as a foe of the United States over much of the past decade.

But it was a far different story when he made his first official U.S. visit in June 1999.

Chávez, a lifelong baseball fan, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the June 9, 1999 game between the Blue Jays and Mets at Shea Stadium -- the same night Bobby Valentine bent the rules with a fake mustache -- and hobnobbed with the team.

Matt Campbell/AFP/Getty Images