Tom Hanks will help introduce the Guardians to the MLB world. Image Press Agency

Tom Hanks to throw out first pitch at Guardians' home-opener

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 4/1/22

One of the most iconic actors of the last four decades lent his voice to help Cleveland's Major League Baseball franchise usher in a new era as the Guardians last July.

Together, we are all... pic.twitter.com/R5FnT4kv1I
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) July 23, 2021

On Friday, the organization announced that two-time Academy Award winner Tom Hanks will again lend a helping hand in April to kick-start the franchise's rebirth.

The Rockford Peaches Manager will throw out our first pitch at the Home Opener. pic.twitter.com/JrT9WDW4jK
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) April 1, 2022

One of Hanks' most famous movie roles came in the 1992 baseball film "A League of Their Own," in which he played Rockford Peaches manager Jimmy Dugan. The 65-year-old actor is a longtime Cleveland baseball fan.

"I’ve had Guardians fever since 1977 when I caught my first game in Section 19 of Cleveland’s Lakefront Municipal Stadium," Hanks said, per Cleveland.com's Joe Noga . "I’m honored to return to Cleveland and Progressive Field for the first home game of the Cleveland Guardians era."

Cleveland finished second in the AL Central at 80-82 during the 2021 season, missing the playoffs for just the second time since in the last six years. The franchise is still seeking its first World Series title since 1948.

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