BALTIMORE (NEWS CENTER Maine) -- Fans across the Red Sox galaxy felt a grave disturbance in the Force upon seeing an unexpected foe take the mound against their team.
By slipping into an Orioles jersey, John Williams embraced the role of a villain as surely as if he had donned Darth Vader's black helmet and cloak.
Williams is arguably the most revered living composer of music for movies. He created the iconic themes for "Jaws," "Superman," "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," "Jurassic Park," the Harry Potter series and most famously "Star Wars."
The Orioles invited Williams to throw out the ceremonial first pitch of their game against the Red Sox at Camden Yards in Baltimore on Monday, June 11. The pre-game festivities also included a tribute performance by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. And his music was woven through the game on the stadium sound system.
To see Williams siding with the Orioles may have come as a shock to many Bostonians who considered him one of their own. From 1980 to 1993, he served as conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra. He still maintains a connection to the city's musical community as Pops Conductor Laureate.
All those years of waving a baton must have built up Williams's arm strength. He acquitted himself as a pitcher better than a lot of other celebrities. Resisting the urge to overthrow the ball, Williams instead hurled a lob that easily cleared the plate just left of center.
If Williams's presence was meant to unnerve the Red Sox, it didn't work. They beat the Orioles 2-0 in 12 innings.
