Fernando Mendoza didn’t look like he had much of an arm Tuesday night with this pitch that looked straight out of a Tuesday night softball league.
Mendoza received the honor of throwing out the first pitch in his hometown of Miami ahead of the Marlins’ 5-3 loss to the Cardinals, but he looked much more like an offensive lineman than a star quarterback with the most prized arm in the upcoming NFL draft.
The Indiana quarterback threw a lollipop ceremonial first pitch to Kyle Stowers, who had to stand up out of his makeshift catcher’s stance to corral the ball above his head.
Barstool personality Marty Mush joked that perhaps the Raiders should look elsewhere for a franchise quarterback with the No. 1 pick after the embarrassing showing by the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.
“I’m a Mendoza guy, but thank god I’m not a GM because I would take this throw into consideration,” Mush wrote on X after Mendoza bombed the test of a ceremonial first pitch.
This is, of course, tongue-in-cheek, as Mendoza will be the Raiders’ top choice Thursday night.
Mendoza will not be live in Pittsburgh for the 2026 NFL Draft and will instead enjoy the moment with those closest to him and to his football journey in Miami.
While he will not be the next dual-sport athlete in football and MLB, as we’ve seen with Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders, Mendoza’s arm is still plenty live.
Mendoza threw for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns and just six interceptions as Indiana rode his Heisman Trophy-winning season to a national championship.
Surely if the radar gun was tested at his pro day – during which he completed 53 of 56 passes on April 1 – it would likely read nearly 60 mph or higher on his throws with the pigskin.
His selection to the Raiders was solidified on that day, and not even this poor throw will stop Las Vegas from handing in that car when first eligible.
