Star Trek and Sports

Fifty years ago Thursday, the first episode of Star Trek: The Original Series hit the small screen. Starring William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, among others, the episode would be followed by seasons of Star Trek and more than a dozen big-screen takes. In honor of the franchise’s 50th anniversary, SI.com takes a look at Star Trek in the world of sports.

Star Trek and Sports

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William Shatner (Capt. James T. Kirk) throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the Boston Red Sox game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Aug. 12, 2016 at Fenway Park in Boston.

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LeVar Burton (Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge) throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the Chicago White Sox game against the Detroit Tigers on June 5, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago.

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Star Trek fans attend is pictured at the London Sevens rugby union event on May 16, 2015 at Twickenham Stadium in London, England.

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Zoe Saldana (Lt. Nyota Uhura) watches Blake Griffin during the Los Angeles Clippers game against the Washington Wizards on March 20, 2015 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

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Roger Federer and Zoe Saldana (Lt. Nyota Uhura) attend the Moet & Chandon toast to honor brand ambassador Roger Federer's history-making 1,000th career win on March 7, 2015 at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills.

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Anton Yelchin (Ens. Pavel Chekov) attends the Los Angeles Clippers game against the San Antonio Spurs on Feb. 19, 2015 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

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Chris Pine (Capt. James T. Kirk) cheers during Game Two of the Stanley Cup Final between the Los Angeles Kings and the New York Rangers on June 7, 2014 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

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William Shatner (Capt. James T. Kirk) portrays a home plate umpire during filming for the Brian Evans music video for "At Fenway" in 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston.

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Photographer Brad Mangin poses with a couple of Star Trek fans prior to the Oakland Athletics game against the Kansas City Royals on May 18, 2013 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, Calif.

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William Shatner (Capt. James T. Kirk) throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the Los Angeles Dodgers game against the Chicago Cubs during 'Star Trek Night' on Aug. 3, 2012 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

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Torchbearer Patrick Stewart (Capt. Jean-Luc Picard) carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg through Croydon (London Borough) during Day 66 of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay on July 23, 2012 in London, England.

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Serena Williams, Patrick Stewart (Capt. Jean-Luc Picard) and Marina Sirtis arrive at the Burberry Body Event hosted by Christopher Bailey and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley on Oct. 26, 2011 held at Burberry Beverly Hills in Los Angeles.

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Zachary Quinto (Commander Spock) presents Santonio Holmes and Willie Colon of the Pittsburgh Steelers the awards for 'Best Game' during the ESPY Awards on July 15, 2009 at Nokia Theatre LA Live in Los Angeles.

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Chris Pine (Captain James T. Kirk) and Jason Bateman attend the Los Angeles Lakers game against the Dallas Mavericks on March 15, 2009 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

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William Shatner (Captain James T. Kirk) and Michael Strahan pose together during the Michael Strahan/Dreier LLP Charity Golf Tournament on July 9, 2007 at the Century Country Club in Purchase, N.Y.

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Patrick Stewart (Capt. Jean-Luc Picard) conducts the Michigan Marching Band during halftime of the game between Michigan and Ball State on Nov. 4, 2006 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich.

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John Elway and William Shatner (Captain James T. Kirk) pose together during Qualifying Day for the 30th Annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race on April 7, 2006 in Long Beach, Calif.

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Tom Brady and Jeri Ryan (Seven of Nine) pose together during the ESPY Awards After Party on July 10, 2002 at The Highlands in Hollywood.

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Dara Torres talks with Patrick Stewart (Capt. Jean-Luc Picard) during Press Day for the 26th Annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race on April 2, 2002 in Long Beach, Calif.

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LeVar Burton (Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge) poses with Jerome Williams of the Toronto Raptors during pregame warmups for the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 17, 2002 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto.