Sister Mary Jo Sobieck proved that she’s second to nun while delivering a perfect first pitch for a Chicago White Sox game. Although the impressive feat took place years ago, the internet hasn’t forgotten her moment in the spotlight. After all, it almost won her an ESPY Award for “Best Viral Sports Moment.” Recently, ESPN posted a throwback video remembering this nun’s epic first pitch.
Videos by InspireMore
In the clip, Sister Mary Jo surprised everyone by nailing a “bicep bounce” before her throw. She casually allowed the ball to slip from her hand, then let it ricochet against her inner arm back into her palm. This quick, skilled movement had people in awe! Not only that, but the nun’s first pitch was pretty impressive, too.
According to USA Today in 2018, Sister Mary Jo was a Dominican sister who helped run Marion Catholic High School in Chicago Heights. When she was nominated for an ESPY Award for her viral first pitch moment, this nun was totally thrilled! Global Sisters Report tells us that, before receiving the call to religious life, she had wanted to pursue a career in sports.
Sister Mary Jo once dreamed of becoming an athlete.
“When I was a kid, my dream was to be a professional athlete or to be in the Olympics,” said Sister Mary Jo. “Sports fueled my everything. It was my fire. I remember when I felt the calling to religious life, it was like, I didn’t think that I could be passionate about anything more than sports.”
However, when she visited the Dominican Sisters of Springfield as a young woman, she was inspired by how these nuns all worked together. In fact, it reminded her of the teamwork she saw from athletes.
“It shapes character and it inspires greatness and it pulls out your potential to be something more,” Sister Mary Jo explained. “All of that is religious life, too. Your religious life is a team, and we push one another to be strong in virtue and character, and we work together to do something good for the human family.”
Sadly, this nun did not win the ESPY Award for throwing the first pitch at the White Sox game. However, ABC 7 News tells us that she did get to travel to Los Angeles for the event, which was a pretty big deal.
“All the stuff that has happened this year with this pitch has been phenomenal,” the nun said.
We’ll never forget Sister Mary Jo’s incredible sports moment!
You can find the source of this story’s featured image here.
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