BTS's V successfully completed the opening pitch at a Major League Baseball (MLB) game.
On the 26th (Korean time), V took the mound as the opening pitcher before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. When V appeared in an LA Dodgers uniform, the stadium was filled with enthusiastic cheers. As BTS's hit song "MIC Drop" resonated throughout the venue, V showed a wonderful opening pitch with a bright smile.
V then made a surprise return to the mound and energetically shouted the LA Dodgers' signature catchphrase, "It's time for Dodger baseball!" which had been used by legendary broadcaster Vin Scully to announce the start of Dodgers games. V cleverly shouted this out, turning Dodger Stadium into a frenzy of excitement.
The local broadcasters also showed an enthusiastic response. In the broadcast booth, they noted, "V is a global sensation. Ticket sales skyrocketed as soon as the announcement of his opening pitch was made, and many spectators are expected to gather at the stadium because of this." In fact, when the news broke that V would be the opening pitcher, the reservation website temporarily crashed. According to the online ticket sales platform StubHub, ticket sales for that day surged to more than five times the average. The broadcasters also referred to V as "undoubtedly a super star," highlighting his global brand power. They praised his pitch, saying, "He threw a perfect curveball. We should contract him immediately."
Through his agency, Big Hit Music, V said, "I watched a game of the LA Dodgers with the members in the early days of our debut. Coming back here after a long time reminded me of those memories and was enjoyable. I was happy to throw the opening pitch at a place filled with memories from the early days. If a good opportunity arises again, I would like to learn properly and pitch again. I sincerely thank the ARMYs and baseball fans for their warm support."
Through this opening pitch, V attracted the attention of both global K-pop fandom and sports fans, proving his global presence. He has recently been active as a model for various fields, including high-end luxury goods, global beverage and coffee brands, and premium outdoor products, wielding broad influence across culture and lifestyle.
Meanwhile, BTS, to which V belongs, is working on music with the goal of a comeback in the spring of 2026. They are expected to hold a large-scale world tour alongside the new album release.
[Photo] Big Hit Music
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