I had the extreme honor of throwing out the first pitch at the St. Louis Cardinals' game last week - along with our Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, the honorable John Paul Woodley. 

 

 

While Mr. Woodley and I stood near a perfectly "manicured" home plate, baseballs in hand, waiting to throw out the ceremonial "first pitches," the troops were giving us lots of negative advice, like "Don't embarrass us by throwing it in the dirt!"

 

 

What I really felt, though, was an appreciation for the patriotism of the Cardinals organization and their support of the military.  It made me feel proud to serve and represent others that do.

 

 

By the way, it was an outside strike!