Last night after he was called on to start for the Washington Nationals only because Stephen Strasburg was unable to get loose in pregame warmups, pitcher Miguel Batista said of the jeering reaction of Nats fans: “Imagine, if you go there to see Miss Universe — and you end up having Miss Iowa.”
When informed of Batista’s comment, Miss Iowa Katherine Connors said today in an official statement, “I know I can throw a pitch or two! The question is, can Miguel Batista walk the runway in a swimsuit?”
Adam Kilgore of the WASHINGTON POST also followed up on the story with Batista today:
As Miguel Batista walked out to shag batting practice today, I stopped him and asked if he had seen a picture of Miss Iowa.“You mean Katherine Connors?” Batista said. “Yeah, she’s gorgeous. Gorgeous.”
See, it seems Batista’s amazing quote last night comparing himself to Miss Iowa and Stephen Strasburg to Miss Universe has been misinterpreted. Batista’s point was not that the crowd was getting a bad pitcher/ugly pageant contestant. It was that they thought they were getting that, and ended up with something different altogether — five innings of shutout ball/a beautiful woman.
“People started booing me, and they hadn’t seen me throw a pitch yet,” Batista said. “It’s like you hear Miss Iowa, and you say, ‘Iowa?’ And then you see her up close and you say, ‘Wow, she’s gorgeous.’ “
Batista wanted to make sure Miss Iowa understood his sentiment. He arranged for flowers to be sent to Connors. “Hopefully,” he said, “they get there today.”
Doubt Batista has much to worry about, especially after this subsequent invite from Craig Heitkamp, executive co-director of the Miss Iowa Pageant:
Congratulations to Mr. Batista for an outstanding pitching performance last night. Sometimes it’s great to see the underdog win. We would like to formally invite Mr. Batista to serve on the judging panel at the Miss Iowa USA Pageant October 23 & 24 in Ames, Iowa.
If Batista balks, I’ll be happy to volunteer. Iowa pageant directors won’t have to worry one bit about me getting through their lineup more than once with a shutout.
8:10 pm on July 28th, 2010
Im from DC and fan of all the teams and its a joke our fans booed Strasburg teammate for no fckin reason. It pisses me off we got a bunch of fair weather fans who only show up for Strasburg when the other 24 guys are busting there ass. No reason to boo Batista no reason
8:20 pm on July 28th, 2010
Batista is one clever dude. I wonder if he does professional wrestling in the off-season?
1:37 am on July 29th, 2010
DC fans are often accused of bandwagoning and there is some truth to it (in most cities actually). But again, with all due respect to Batista’s fine pitching, have you seen Stephen Stratosburg humiliate batters yet? No wonder people travel as far as from Montreal to catch a glimpse.
On a different note, Batista in not only clever, he rules! Way to get Connors’ attention! Who’s gonna laugh when he throws her panties behind his right shoulder..?
5:30 am on July 29th, 2010
Sorry, Ms. Connors is comparing apples to oranges and trying to pump up her fame to help here in the 2010 event.
There is no Miss Universe 2010 yet. 2009 is Stefania Fernandez. 2009 Ms Iowa? Yep, Olivia Myers.
Get out of the way.
9:57 am on July 29th, 2010
Miss Iowa:
Oh. My. God.
Imagine settling in with your crops and cattle on your north 4000 with her…
10:05 am on July 29th, 2010
Okay, let see if this works:
“It’s like thinking you’re going to have sex with Miss Universe, but you only get to have sex with Miss Iowa”
I’ll be waiting for my invite Mr. Heitkamp
11:50 am on July 29th, 2010
Batista should be plantin’ some crops before his next rotation…
1:59 pm on July 29th, 2010
batista is gonna get ms. iowa. he is playing the game perfectly.
3:59 pm on July 30th, 2010
I’m NOT making this up: The Washington Post had a snippet this morning saying Ms. Iowa will be throwing out the first pitch in tonight’s home Nats game. I’ll be her pitcher if she’ll be my catcher, if you know what I mean.
12:59 pm on July 31st, 2010
No …tell us what you mean.