Kendrick Perkins takes batting practice Photo Credit: MLB Network Screenshot

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.


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.

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.”


While many fans were quick to laugh at Perkins’ effort, it’s a good bet many would not have done much better.

About Arthur Weinstein

Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.