Minneapolis' hottest celebrity, Oscar-nominated actor Barkhad Abdi, will take to the mound at Target Field and cut loose with the ceremonial first pitch kicking off the Minnesota Twins' 2014 home season, the team announced Monday.
After his pitch count reaches 1, Abdi will sail over to the stadium's home run porch and meet with fans attending the April 7 home opener vs. the Oakland A's.
Abdi was nominated for best supporting actor for his portayal of a Somali pirate in the movie "Captain Phillips" in his Hollywood acting debut.
The home opener festivities are many, as is tradition with the Twins. They start with a free Breakfast on the Plaza, then Twins legends Bert Blyleven, Tony Oliva, Kent Hrbek and Tom Kelly will greet fans as they arrive at the gates.
The national anthem will be performed by Twin Cities stage actress and singer Thomasina Petrus.
Abdi has also been tapped recently for public appearances and broadcast pitches to help MNsure in its push to get uninsured Minnesotans enrolled in a health plan by March 31.
Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482
