SEATTLE MARINERS

Topps honors 92-year-old WWII vet’s first pitch for Mariners

Feb 22, 2017, 9:00 AM | Updated: 9:33 am

The Topps Company created a First Pitch insert card that featured 92-year-old veteran Burke Waldron. (Via Topps Company)

(Via Topps Company)

Burke Waldron, the 92-year-old who threw out the ceremonial first pitch before a Seattle Mariners game on Memorial Day, has been given the Topps treatment.

Waldron captured international headlines for the fun and exuberance he showed last year when throwing the ceremonial first pitch at Safeco Field. As part of the 2016 Topps Baseball Update Series, the company created a First Pitch insert card that featured the WWII veteran.

Topps Marketing Communications Manager Susan Lulgjuraj says that since then, fans all over the country have been sending the card to him to get signed.

“Not only does he write them back, but he often includes extra photos, cards or a letter with each package,” Lulgjuraj said. “As baseball fans found out how much he has enjoyed receiving the cards to sign, more and more fans have been sending him packages. It’s truly a wonderful moment as Mr. Waldron is honored and remembered for his service to the country.”

In the Youtube video below, a card collector named Aaron Burke gets emotional as he opens Waldron’s mailed response, which included an autographed side-by-side picture of Waldron in his military uniform from 1946.

“I have 800,000 cards right now and this by far one of my favorites,” Burke said. “By far, not even close.”

Waldron told KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson in June of last year about how partaking in an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. led him to his fateful toss on the mound. And even though it has been 70 years since Waldron served, the emotion was evident in his voice.

As for the throw itself, Waldron said he hadn’t played baseball since his time in the military but he practiced throwing about a week ahead of time.

“Maybe the Mariners offer me the right kind of deal, I might take it,” he joked. “After it left my hand, I thought oh man I could have gone all the way but it was a good thing the catcher came up just a little bit to help me.”

Mariners Roof Report

Brought to you by
Sunny
High 65° | Low 43°
Roof is open
Rockies at Mariners today at 1:10pm

Seattle Mariners

Seattle Mariners Dominic Canzone...

Brent Stecker

What could unlock Mariners’ Dominic Canzone for a breakout in ’24

Dominic Canzone has been one of the best hitters for the Seattle Mariners this spring. Jerry Dipoto talked to Wyman and Bob about his ceiling.

12 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Luis Castillo...

Shannon Drayer

Mariners Notebook: Opening day starter set, plus a pitch clock wrinkle

Shannon Drayer details the makeup of the Seattle Mariners' planned 2024 starting rotation and opening day starter, plus much more from Arizona.

13 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Logan Gilbert...

Shannon Drayer

Seattle Mariners Notebook: Checking in on the pitchers

Seattle Mariners' Shannon Drayer caught up with Logan Gilbert after a good outing, and has notes on Luis Castillo, Matt Brash and more.

1 day ago

Seattle Mariners Julio Rodríguez...

Brent Stecker

Mariners’ Julio Rodríguez details his offseason meeting with Servais

Seattle Sports' Wyman and Bob talked to Mariners star Julio Rodríguez about his time this offseason with the skipper, plus the goals that are clear in the clubhouse.

2 days ago

Seattle Mariners Scott Servais...

Shannon Drayer

Drayer: How Mariners and Servais view start of season differently

After some slow starts in years past, the Seattle Mariners plan to approach the start of the season differently, Scott Servais says.

2 days ago

Seattle Mariners J.P. Crawford...

Brandon Gustafson

J.P. Crawford: Trade to Mariners ‘saved my career, saved my life’

J.P. Crawford sure is glad to be with the Seattle Mariners, as he explained to Wyman & Bob when discussing his early years in Philadelphia.

3 days ago

Topps honors 92-year-old WWII vet’s first pitch for Mariners