Viral “Hawk Tuah” girl throws first pitch before New York Mets game

The New York Mets enjoyed a tremendous surge in June when an unconventional star threw out the ceremonial first pitch, and now that the Wild Card race is heating up, they seem intent on repeating that magic.

On June 12, McDonald's mascot Grimace was given the honor, a year after he went viral thanks to his bizarre 2023 birthday milkshake campaign. From that night on, the Mets went on a seven-game winning streak and finished June with a record of 16-8, the best in the National League.

Two months later, another viral sensation took the mound at Citi Field.

Hailey Welch, also known as the “Hawk Tuah Girl,” was the guest of honor before Thursday afternoon's showdown with the Oakland Athletics. The 22-year-old woman threw from the front of the mound and reached her target's glove a few feet from the plate.

Welch went viral after appearing in a Tim & Dee TV YouTube video called “Man on the Street,” which was filmed in Nashville, ironically the day before Grimace's first pitch. Her X-rated answers and thick Southern accent made instant headlines online, and she became a meme in no time.

Welch then quit her job, started her own company and signed endorsement deals. She has been a guest on podcasts by Bill Maher, Joe Rogan and Whitney Cummings and performed on stage at a Zach Bryan concert and a DJ set by Shaquille O'Neal.

It all led up to Welch taking the mound at Citi Field on Thursday. As insignificant as that moment may seem, the Mets were fortunate to have experienced viral sensations before this season, depending on who you ask.

New York currently has a 62-58 record this season, putting it 2.0 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the battle for the third and final NL Wild Card spot.

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