Rob McElhenney had a wholesome reason for his ceremonial double play at the MLB London Series
Way better than a ceremonial first pitch.
Actor and Wrexham AFC co-owner Rob McElhenney is a diehard Philadelphia sports fan. If you’re familiar with his character, Mac, in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, you’d know that he has always wanted to play catch with Phillies legend Chase Utley. But when Bryce Harper is also an option, the choice becomes increasingly difficult.
McElhenney was slated to throw out the ceremonial first pitch ahead of Sunday’s MLB London Series Game 2 between the Mets and Phillies. It initially appeared that McElhenney was going to throw that pitch to Utley, but McElhenney also wanted to get Bryce Harper involved with the festivities.
The solution was simple: They’d turn a ceremonial double play.
Rob McElhenney just couldn't choose between Bryce Harper and Chase Utley to catch his first pitch … so he turned a double play with them instead
#LondonSeries pic.twitter.com/F3zcFAQyWn
— MLB (@MLB) June 9, 2024
McElhenney’s wife and Always Sunny co-star, Kaitlin Olson, rolled the ball to McElhenney — a lefty at shortstop! — who turned two with Utley at second and Harper at first.
It was unconventional, sure, but honestly that was a wholesome way to avoid choosing between Utley and Harper.
Fans also enjoyed the pregame double play.
This was how Twitter/X reacted
It rules that the Phillies and Mets are supposed to be co-equals in the London series, but between the Phanatic and the Passyunk Ave bar and the sheer number of Philadelphians there and now the Always Sunny stuff, Mets fans have to deal with us clearly being the main character https://t.co/lyFbU9JohD
— Chris OIIey (@chrisoIIey) June 9, 2024
perhaps this will spawn a generation of left-handed British shortstops https://t.co/O4PS3t0GME
— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) June 9, 2024
nobody commits to the bit like my man mac https://t.co/YmXcf6TpA3
— snydaho (@snydaho) June 9, 2024
Love the fact that It’s Always Sunny is still relevant. https://t.co/gAwJXeLl0A
— Quinton Miller (@qbowls3bills) June 9, 2024
Mac is living his dream and so happy right now https://t.co/AGio95lgvS
— z-Fraze (@cfraze3) June 9, 2024
ok this is a great bit https://t.co/fBlqyPyDb8
— kevin (@fatmanatee) June 9, 2024
I am 100% down with the ceremonial double play https://t.co/me5mQW9SCw
— Robin (@joyeful) June 9, 2024
If this becomes a new tradition, I’m totally cool with it.
This was brilliant https://t.co/AF6rFApCyA
— tentin quarantino (@TentyQuarantino) June 9, 2024
Mac’s wish has come true https://t.co/dkIy2kIN6p
— Patrick Fancher (@PatrickFancher) June 9, 2024