Kendrick Perkins had extremely high expectations when he took batting practice at Fenway Park on Tuesday.
The NBA on ESPN analyst took BP before the Boston Red Sox hosted the Atlanta Braves and was so excited he shared the news on X.
“Back in the Bean Town, and I’m swinging for the fences!!! I’m thinking the Green Monster!!!” he posted.
Back in the Bean Town and I’m swinging for the fences!!! I’m thinking the Green Monster!!! pic.twitter.com/Ww8tReEFwy
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) June 4, 2024
Perkins played 13 years in the NBA and has some athleticism, so surely he could pound a couple of baseballs off the Green Monster, right?
Unfortunately, the reality turned out quite ugly, as the MLB Network Ballpark Cam shared a video of Perkins whiffing badly on some pitches and making weak contact on others.
Kendrick Perkins taking some batting practice at Fenway. 🏀⚾️
(Via the @MLBNetwork Ballpark Cam) pic.twitter.com/IHgmxanr0K
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 4, 2024
Red Sox legend Ted Williams once famously said that hitting a baseball is the hardest feat in all of sports, although that statement probably doesn’t apply when the pitcher is lobbing balls to the plate as in Little League Coach Pitch.
Perkins’ batting practice woes fueled plenty of reactions on X. None of them were as clever as the response by someone named Danny, who referenced Perkins’ size resemblance to former Red Sox star David Ortiz, known as “Big Papi.”
Big Sloppy https://t.co/lIoBfvCcuU
— Danny (@recordsANDradio) June 4, 2024
How the homies swing when I get on MLB the Show wit them 😂😂 https://t.co/O8KEdg77Eb
— Isiah “Zeek” Olavé (@olavegetsactive) June 5, 2024
I’ve always said it .. basketball players are the best athletes in the world. #ChicksDigTheLongball https://t.co/HgFMPm9nfO
— Gerrit Ritt (@GerritRitt) June 4, 2024
Literally lobbing balls in and he still can’t touch it. There’s nothing more difficult in sports than trying to hit a baseball…..and it’s not particularly close. https://t.co/iMfJUYTKz8
— Joel Washko (@JoelWashko) June 4, 2024
Basketball players trying to play baseball 😂 https://t.co/qkJrssDlJf
— Jordon Christensen (@SunDawg2) June 5, 2024
While many fans were quick to laugh at Perkins’ effort, it’s a good bet many would not have done much better.