Colorado Rockies podcast: Bud Black dishes on Bill Walton’s first pitch

SAN DIEGO — Absolutely, Thursday night at Petco Park was the start of a four-game series between the Colorado Rockies and the San Diego Padres. However, it was an NBA legend who stole the show before the game even started.

Bill Walton, NBA icon and two-time World Champion, was scheduled to throw out the first pitch during a Grateful Dead-themed night on Thursday at Petco Park. What came next was quite the sight and ended up delaying the start of the Colorado Rockies-San Diego Padres contest by four minutes.

Walton warmed up with Colorado manager Bud Black, actually threw two first pitches after his first attempt was nowhere near the plate and then took some time at home plate to meet Padres manager Andy Green and the umpires and give a few words of wisdom as well.

Black not only warmed up with Walton (see below) but actually was the one to invite him into the inner circle at home plate with Green and the umpires before the game began. So, naturally on Friday, we had to ask Black about the night before and exactly what Walton was talking about that delayed the game.

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Black sat down with us for an exclusive look back at what exactly happened on Thursday night. We also asked the Rockies manager who tells the better stories between him and Walton.

As a side note, Black also talks about his love for the 1977 Portland Trail Blazers team that won the NBA title with Walton as one of the key contributors. As a native of the Pacific Northwest, Walton has been a part of Black’s memories for quite some time.

And, as luck would have it, there is plenty more coming with Bill Walton and baseball as he has reportedly agreed to call a Chicago White Sox-Los Angeles Angels game later this month. Buckle up for that commentary.

Click below to hear some great stories and behind-the-scenes info from Colorado manager Bud Black on everything that went on Thursday night with “the Bill Walton experience.”

If you’re having problems hearing it, click here to go straight to the podcast page.