Lachey says he'll throw out first pitch

SOURCE
By John Kiesewetter • jkiesewetter@enquirer.com • February 27, 2009

Pencil pop star Nick Lachey into the lineup for Cincinnati Reds Opening Day.

The 1992 School for Creative & Performing Arts graduate says he will throw out the ceremonial first pitch April 6 before the Reds play the New York Mets.

“Anybody who grew up in Cincinnati knows this is one of the biggest honors you can get,” says Lachey, 35, the former College Hill resident.

Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune did the honor last year, while Mayor Mark Mallory became an overnight sensation in 2007 for his errant toss nowhere near home plate.

“Hopefully I won’t embarrass myself like our good mayor,” says Lachey, a huge Reds, Bengals and University of Cincinnati sports fan. He watched the Bob Huggins homecoming ceremony before the UC-West Virginia basketball game on ESPN Thursday from his Los Angeles home.

“I was thrilled to see Huggs get such a great response from the crowd,” he says.

Lachey, who starred in MTV’s “Newlyweds” with then wife Jessica Simpson, is a creator and executive producer for MTV’s new reality show being filmed at SCPA. Called “Taking the Stage,” it premieres 10 p.m. March 19.

MTV is shooting 10 one-hour episodes here, at Lachey’s urging.