Sat, 17 Jul 2010, 12:20 AM Matt Hagan Throws First Pitch at Giants vs. Mets game in San Francisco

By Judy Stropus Photo credit Roger Richards

SONOMA, Calif. --

Matt Hagan throwing the first pitch at the SF Giants vs. NY Mets game at AT&T Park in San Francisco on July 15, 2010.

Matt Hagan, who admits he's better at racing the DieHard Dodge Charger Funny Car in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series than he is pitching baseballs, threw his inaugural "first pitch" at the San Francisco Giants vs. New York Mets game at AT&T Park in San Francisco Thursday night.

He made a valiant attempt in the single pitch offered him, after saying he had practiced with his dad David and wife Rachel back home on the 500-acre Angus Cattle farm he manages in Christiansburg, Va., but fell just inches short of a perfect strike.

"It was a great opportunity," said Hagan, 27, who was presented with an official Giants jacket and cap. "It was so exciting because I got to walk through the tunnel right onto the field like the Major League players do. It was just an awesome experience, something I'll remember for the rest of my life.

"I would have loved to have thrown a great strike but I bounced it in front of home plate. Hey, that's just how it goes. I don't get paid to throw a baseball, I get paid to drive a race car. I'll stick with driving the race car.

"At first there was a big 'awwww' from the fans, then a huge round of applause. Maybe in the future I'll get to do it over again.

"Thanks to the Giants and Valerie McGuire (Director of Special Events for the Giants) for the opportunity," added Hagan, who is competing in the FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals this weekend at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. "My racing buddies and teammates and I got to sit behind the Mets' dugout to watch the game and we all had a good time. I'm glad the Giants won."

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