Forget the MVP chants. Forget the city council declaring a day in his honor. OG Anunoby just got the kind of New York recognition that truly matters: an invitation to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at Citi Field, delivered personally by a Mets legend.
On Saturday, former Mets star Jose Reyes took to social media to extend the offer directly to the Knicks forward. “Hey OG Anunoby, happy for your success. Proud that you’re a Mets fan. The Mets and I would love to invite you to Citi Field to throw out a ceremonial first pitch. All the best, Jose Reyes,” Reyes posted on X, formerly Twitter.
The invitation comes on the heels of a Game 4 that Knicks fans won’t forget anytime soon. New York trailed the San Antonio Spurs by 29 points before mounting a furious comeback. Anunoby delivered the dagger in the final seconds, blocking De’Aaron Fox on one end and tipping in the game-winning basket on the other. The play has already earned a permanent spot in Knicks postseason lore.
Throwing out a first pitch is probably the last thing on Anunoby’s mind right now. The Knicks lead the series 3-1 and have a chance to close out the championship in Game 5. But according to sources familiar with the situation, if New York finishes the job, Anunoby is expected to accept the invitation and take the mound at Citi Field.
It’s been a whirlwind few days for the 27-year-old forward. Manhattan Borough President Brady Hoylman-Sigal declared June 11, 2026, as “OG Anunoby Appreciation Day,” making the honor official at the city level. Fans online have already begun pushing for him to win Finals MVP, and given his impact on both ends of the floor, the argument isn’t hard to make.
Anunoby’s defensive tenacity and timely shot-making have been central to the Knicks’ playoff run. He’s averaging strong numbers in the Finals, but it’s the moments — the blocks, the hustle plays, the game-winners — that have turned him into a folk hero. The Knicks acquired him midseason in a deal that raised eyebrows at the time, but his performance now has made that trade look like a steal.
Of course, nothing is guaranteed. The Spurs are a proud organization with a history of championship resilience. San Antonio has not made it easy for New York all series, and Game 5 figures to be another battle. The Knicks know better than to celebrate early.
But if they do finish the job, Anunoby will have earned every bit of the spotlight — and that first pitch at Citi Field will be a victory lap he’s more than earned.
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