2 Team USA Olympic Heroes to Throw First Pitches at Yankees Home Opener

Jack Hughes and Aerin Frankel, gold medalists in men's and women's hockey, will take the mound at Yankee Stadium.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:34pm

A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting the dynamic movements of hockey players and a puck, rendered in a cubist style with sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in vibrant colors.Two Olympic hockey heroes take the field at Yankee Stadium, their athletic feats captured in a cubist, geometric style.Briarcliff Manor Today

The New York Yankees have invited two Team USA Olympic hockey heroes, Jack Hughes and Aerin Frankel, to throw out the ceremonial first pitches at their home opener on Friday against the Miami Marlins. Hughes scored the overtime gold medal-winning goal for the men's team, while Frankel was a standout goaltender for the women's gold medal-winning squad.

Why it matters

Inviting these two Olympic champions to the Yankees' home opener is a high-profile way to honor their athletic achievements and celebrate their contributions to Team USA's success on the world stage. As hockey players, throwing a first pitch at a baseball game will be a new experience, but their ability to perform under pressure in big moments should serve them well.

The details

Jack Hughes, who plays for the NHL's New Jersey Devils, scored the overtime gold medal-winning goal for the U.S. men's hockey team against Canada. Aerin Frankel, who plays for the PWHL's Boston Fleet, was a standout goaltender for the U.S. women's hockey team, making key saves in their gold medal game against Canada that also went to overtime.

  • The Yankees home opener is on Friday, April 3, 2026.

The players

Jack Hughes

A hockey player for the NHL's New Jersey Devils who scored the overtime gold medal-winning goal for the U.S. men's hockey team at the Olympics.

Aerin Frankel

A hockey goaltender who plays for the PWHL's Boston Fleet and was a key contributor to the U.S. women's hockey team's gold medal victory at the Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“Jack Hughes and Aerin Frankel are throwing out the first pitch for today's #Yankees home opener.”

— Noah Strang

The takeaway

Inviting these two Olympic heroes to throw out the first pitch at the Yankees home opener is a great way for the team to honor their athletic achievements and connect with fans through the shared love of sports.