People: 50 Cent makes pitch, but doesn’t sell it
50 Cent was on the mound but not on the money.
The rap star was comically off target when he threw out the ceremonial first pitch Tuesday night before the Pittsburgh Pirates played the New York Mets at Citi Field.
Standing on the rubber 60 feet, 6 inches from home plate, 50 Cent wound up and launched a left-handed toss that sailed way wide of Mets catcher Anthony Recker. The ball bounced to the backstop and nearly nicked a cameraman standing not all that far from the Mets’ on-deck circle as 50 Cent and New York pitcher Jonathon Niese both smiled.
Wearing a Mets jersey with No. 50 and the name Jackson on the back, 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson III, held a bat as he posed for pictures with Curtis Granderson and other Mets on the field during batting practice.
50 Cent was born nearby and has a postgame concert at Citi Field set for June 14.
Journey’s Perry performs live
Former Journey lead singer Steve Perry may have a message for fans: Don’t stop believing – in a possible comeback.
Perry performed live for the first time in nearly two decades Sunday night at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, the Pioneer Press reported.
The 65-year-old singer teamed with alternative-rockers the Eels during their second encore. It included two Journey songs: “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’ ” and “Open Arms.”
Let ’em be ‘Happy,’ Williams says
Pharrell Williams says everyone should be able to celebrate their joy – including Iranian youths who were arrested for posting an Internet video of them dancing to his song “Happy.”
Some in Iran see the video as promoting the spread of Western culture. Iranian laws ban women from dancing in public or appearing outside with their heads uncovered.
Williams says he has “the utmost respect for people’s religious views” and doesn’t know much about Iranian law.
But he added: “The present is a gift, and if you just want to celebrate your happiness, you should be allowed to do that.”
The birthday bunch
Singer Gladys Knight is 70. Singer John Fogerty is 69. Country singer Phil Vassar is 50. Singer Chris Ballew of Presidents of the United States of America is 49. Singer Kylie Minogue is 46. Talk-show host Elisabeth Hasselbeck is 37.