105 year old’s first pitch prefaces near no-hitter

We all remember that 1909 baseball season, right? Ty Cobb batting for a .377 season average, with a league leading 7 home runs, the Pirates winning their first World Series, those were the days. Well, Agnes McKee of Oceanside may not remember that baseball season, but she was actually around for it. In honor of her 105th birthday, Agnes was selected to toss the ceremonial first pitch before the Padre’s tilt with the Mets on Sunday.

Clad in a specially-designed Padre jersey sporting the name “McKee” and the number 105, Agnes is believed to be the oldest person to have  thrown out a first pitch at a professional ball game. Born on July 16, 1909, the Oceanside resident had practiced the pitch for several months. She  utilized a very robust underhand windmill windup and delivery, as she threw the ball to catcher Rene Rivera on the fly, a pin-point shot. Many, many younger, seemingly more athletic folks have bounced that pitch in, or worse.

Agnes related as she was excited about making the pitch. She said she felt it was an honor, while all of those around her were honored to have the enthusiastic centenarian on hand to start the proceedings. She thrilled the teams and the crowd with her positive attitude. The crowd rose together in a great roar of approval as Ms. McKee propelled the baseball towards home plate with great zeal.

Her good vibes apparently charged up the mound for Padre first-year hurler Odrisamer Despaigne. The rookie became only the fifth Padre pitcher to take a no-hitter into the eighth inning. The shutout and no-hitter was broken up by Daniel Murphy’s double.

Saying she had no ideas or secrets as to how she has lived such a long life and stayed as active as she has, Agnes attributed her strong longevity to her heredity from her mother.