On March 29, 2009 — In the first baseball game ever played at Citi Field, John Franco throws out the ceremonial first pitch to a standing ovation from the crowd attending the collegiate matchup between St. John’s and Georgetown. Before tossing his signature pitch, a breaking ball in the dirt, the former Mets reliever goes to the mound wearing a familiar blue and orange jacket, but takes it off, revealing the colors of his alma mater, a Red Storm jersey with his number 45.

The weather dampened the schools’ hope of breaking the NCAA attendance record of 40,106, set during a game between San Diego State and Houston played at Petco Park in 2004. Only 22,397 patrons came out on this damp and chilly day.
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