Oscar nominee Barkhad Abdi will throw out first pitch at Twins game

Apr 1, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A general view of the gates of Target Field before being opened for a game between the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Barkhad Abdi has had a hell of a run the last couple years.

The Somali native and Minnesota State Moorhead alum was living in obscurity when he was cast in a major role in the Tom Hanks film Captain Phillips. The movie went on to be a hit, and Abdi snagged an Oscar nomination for his memorable performance.

There he was on Oscar night, a regular Joe a hob nobbing with the beautiful people in Hollywood.

Now, to cap it all off, he gets to throw out the first pitch at a Twins game.

Abdi will toss the ceremonial first pitch at the Twins’ April 7 contest at Target Field against Oakland. I’m guessing it will be a little colder there than it was out on the ship with Tom Hanks.

After the pitch, Abdi will have a meet and greet with fans in the Twins’ new Digital Clubhouse in the U.S. Bank Homerun porch, 1500 ESPN.com reports.

The Twins no doubt are hoping that Abdi’s appearance will stir up baseball interest in the very sizable Twin Cities Somali community. And Abdi is hoping to get some publicity for the movie he’s making about the Twin Cities Somali community.

And everyone is hoping it doesn’t snow that night.

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