Boston Celtics and Florida Panthers superstars Jayson Tatum and Matthew Tkachuk threw out the first pitch at Sunday’s LA Dodgers vs. St. Louis Cardinals game. During the matchup, the former St. Louis classmates recreated their viral childhood photo.
Tatum and Tkachuk each captured their first championships this year, with Tatum’s Celtics securing the NBA title and Tkachuk’s Panthers winning the Stanley Cup. Amid their success, a picture went viral of the two riding a school bus together as seventh-grade classmates at St. Louis’ Chaminade College Preparatory School.
Another of their ex-Chaminade classmates, Jacob Bai, can also be seen in the background. So, the Cardinals invited Bai from San Diego to join Tatum and Tkachuk at Sunday’s contest to recreate their iconic bus photo.
Tatum, carrying Boston’s Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, and Tkachuk were first paraded around Busch Stadium. They then threw out ceremonial first pitches to St. Louis stars Ryan Helsley and Alec Burleson.
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Afterward, they met up with Bai in a suite. Donning St. Louis attire, the trio posed with copies of their viral childhood picture.
St. Louis ultimately fell 2-1 to LA with its hometown heroes in attendance. Nevertheless, Tatum, Tkachuk and Bai appeared to enjoy their reunion.
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Jayson Tatum and Matthew Tkachuk supported each other’s championship runs
Despite playing for teams located in different ends of the country, Jayson Tatum and Matthew Tkachuk have remained supportive of each other’s careers.
Before Florida’s 4-3 Stanley Cup Final victory over the Edmonton Oilers, Tkachuk highlighted his desire to see him and Tatum win their respective championship series.
“I think it would be unreal for Chaminade and all of St. Louis if we can both win it,” Tkachuk said. “Yeah, I’m definitely cheering for him. Definitely.”
Moreover, after Boston defeated the Dallas Mavericks 4-1 in the NBA Finals, Tatum encouraged Tkachuk and the Panthers to cap off their title win.
“Tkachuk, yo, get it done tomorrow,” Tatum said. “One kid from St. Louis won a championship today, let’s make it two tomorrow.”
As for Jacob Bai, he may not have become a professional athlete, instead working as a high-yield bond analyst for Voya Investment Management. However, according to Bai, he’s grateful to have grown up alongside two of the world’s premier sports superstars.
“Everyone has hometown heroes — no matter where you go in the country, everyone’s like, ‘Oh, this guy I played against was so good in high school,'” Bai said. “But to have my face among two of the greatest, newer players in their respective leagues? It’s just awesome. … It’s incredible.”
