A Disembodied Hand Threw Out the First Pitch on Opening Night. MLB Fans Weren’t Amused.
A skateboard-riding severed hand from a fictional TV show just opened the 2026 baseball season. Welcome to the Netflix era of Major League Baseball.
Netflix made its MLB broadcast debut on Opening Night of the 2026 season, airing the New York Yankees vs. San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California.
But the controversy didn’t start with a bad call or a blown save — it started before the first pitch was even thrown.
The ceremonial first pitch was delivered by Thing, the disembodied hand character from Netflix’s popular series Wednesday.
A video shared by Jomboy Media showed the moment in full: Thing, mounted on a skateboard, making its way across the field to deliver the pitch.
“Imagine telling Babe Ruth this is who would be throwing out the first pitch to open the 2026 MLB season,” Jomboy Media wrote in the caption.
The spectacle didn’t end there. Another video shared by Netflix showed Thing skating on top of the dugout before throwing a bag of popcorn to a fan. And yes — the fan caught it.
The stunt was part of Netflix’s effort to brand its MLB broadcasts in a unique way, doubling as a promotional crossover gimmick for the Wednesday franchise.
Online Reaction Was Swift — and Largely Unimpressed
The reaction online was overwhelmingly negative, with many fans questioning Netflix’s decision to turn Opening Night into a cross-promotional moment.
“Because we can doesn’t mean we should,” one fan wrote.
Others tried to find middle ground.
“I don’t love it. I don’t hate it. I just want to watch baseball. I can compartmentalize all of the off-field moves/gimmicks, and enjoy the game,” another fan commented.
Some questioned the timing above all else.
“At least wait until Halloween time in October to do this,” a third fan added.
And at least one viewer took the absurdity and ran with it: “Looking forward to the 5th inning when they go downstairs to a Bridgerton actress lustily leering at Aaron Judge,” an X user joked.
What’s Behind the Stunt: A Three-Year Deal and a New Season
The Thing’s first pitch wasn’t random showmanship. It was a calculated move tied to two major Netflix priorities.
First, the broadcast itself. Netflix’s new MLB deal includes a three-year package covering Opening Night, the Home Run Derby and the Field of Dreams game.
Opening Night was the streaming giant’s first chance to put its stamp on live baseball — and it clearly chose spectacle.
Second, the Wednesday connection. The Thing’s appearance was also a ploy to spark buzz for the upcoming season of the hit series. The streaming platform announced the new season in a press release on Feb. 26, 2026.
While a release date has yet to be announced, the press release confirmed that the new season “has begun production near Dublin.”
“We want to continue digging deeper into our characters while expanding the world of Nevermore and Wednesday,” co-creator and co-showrunner Miles Millar said. “We will be seeing more Addams family members and learning more family secrets in Season 3!” he added.
The Big Question This Raises
Netflix now controls some of baseball’s marquee broadcast moments for three years.
Opening Night gave viewers their first real look at what that relationship will feel like — and for many fans, a fictional severed hand on a skateboard wasn’t exactly the tone they were hoping for.
Whether the streaming platform adjusts its approach for future broadcasts like the Home Run Derby and Field of Dreams game remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Netflix isn’t interested in playing it safe with America’s pastime.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
