Watch: Hooters ball girl makes physics-defying throw
As part of what we imagine was a forced marketing ploy that hopefully involved chicken wings, a Hooters waitress took in spring training as a ball girl during a game on Thursday. On this particular foul ball in the fourth inning, she makes a throw difficult to understand even after repeat viewings.
OK, so obviously the camera work is a bit disorienting, but how in the world did this happen? Every time I watch the release of the ball, it comes so late I almost expect the ball to fly backwards. Instead, the ball flies nearly straight up, in a tight parabola, and falls well short of making it into the stands.
100 Funniest Photos
Michael Jordan
As a 20-year-old Tar Heel, Michael Jordan had yet to find his swagger. Considering how far he's come, this photo should inspire dweeby college kids everywhere to keep chasing their dreams.
Archie, Cooper and Peyton Manning
New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning plays baseball with sons Peyton and Cooper. Not pictured is four-month-old Eli, who, knowing Archie, was likely hard at work practicing his spiral in his crib.
Alex Gonzalez, Edgar Renteria, Rey Ordonez, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez
What's better than a photo of the top five young shortstops in baseball? When those top five shortstops agree to pose in just their uniform pants and gold chains.
Bernie Kosar and Dan Marino
Miami heroes (and perm partners) Dan Marino and Bernie Kosar pose together for SI's 1984 football preview. Marino was about to start his second year with the Dolphins after making the Pro Bowl as a rookie. Kosar was going into his senior year after leading the Hurricanes to the 1983 national championship.
Michael Finley, Dirk Nowitzki, Mark Cuban, Steve Nash and Juwan Howard
Though none of these are native Texans, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, along with players Michael Finley, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, and Juwan Howard, try to pull off their best cowboy impressions for a 2001 photo shoot.
Bill Parcells, Lawrence Taylor and Bill Belichick
Hall of Fame Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor chats with coaches (and short-shorts committee members) Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick in 1986. That season, Taylor would be named the NFL MVP and the Giants would defeat the Broncos to win their first ever Super Bowl.
Isiah Thomas and Bill Laimbeer
Pistons center Bill Laimbeer was notorious for committing dirty fouls, so perhaps a little karma is at play in this photo, where teammate Isiah Thomas disrupts his hot tub session with a bucket of icy water.
Manute Bol
Leave it up to Manute Bol to make something as mundane as buying milk seem extraordinary. This photo was taken in 1984, when he was a student-athlete at the University of Bridgeport.
John Elway
Anyone wearing red-striped shorts, knee-length tube socks and a T-shirt that says "Get High" is going to make a list of 100 funniest photos. The fact that it was Stanford quarterback John Elway makes it that much better.
Jack Nicholson and Magic Johnson
Jack Nicholson has for years been sitting courtside at Lakers games, but sometimes he feels the need to get even closer to the action. In this photo, the actor hops on the back of Magic Johnson, who at the time was the heartbeat of the "Showtime" Lakers.
Bill "Spaceman" Lee
Red Sox lefty Bill "Spaceman" Lee lives up to his nickname, throwing a pitch while wearing a space suit and a propeller beanie in 1978. Lee has clung to his eccentric persona in his retirement, recently releasing a wine called "Spaceman Red," as well as a "Spaceman Ale" with the Magic Hat Brewing Company.
Brett Favre
You might expect the NFL's most exciting young quarterback to be living like a high roller. But for 23-year-old Brett Favre, pictured at home in 1993, the adolescent décor of his childhood bedroom suited him just fine.
Brian Bosworth
In advance of the 1986 Orange Bowl, Oklahoma's Brian "The Boz" Bosworth throws a Frisbee on a sunny Florida beach. At the following year's Orange Bowl, he would famously wear a "National Communists Against Athletes" T-shirt on the sidelines in response to being suspended by the NCAA for steroid use.
Bruce Jenner
Before becoming a staple of U.S. reality television series, Bruce Jenner was an American Olympic hero and, believe it or not, a smash hit with females all over the country. Here, at 31 years old, he strums on an acoustic guitar in his Malibu home, much to the dismay of his two yellow labs.
Bryant "Big Country" Reeves
Having grown up in a small rural farm community, no nickname could've seemed more appropriate for seven footer Bryant Reeves than "Big Country." This 1993 photo, taken while he was a student at Oklahoma State, perfectly captures him in his element.
Charles Barkley
If being dreamy had been a prerequisite for earning a spot on the Dream Team, Charles Barkley would've had it covered. Posing before a mirror in his Philadelphia home, the then-23-year-old hardly resembled the "Round Mound of Rebound" referenced in his nickname.
Dave Parker
Once the highest paid player in baseball, Dave Parker got pretty much anything he wanted from the Pittsburgh Pirates. That included the right to smoke in the dugout, as he does here in this 1980 photo.
Chuck Nevitt
At 7-foot-5, pretty much everything was a tight squeeze for Chuck Nevitt, pictured here as a Houston Rocket in 1989. Today, Nevitt works as an IT professional in Raleigh-Durham, NC.
Dan Marino with parents Dan Sr. and Veronica
At his childhood home in Pittsburgh, future Dolphins legend Dan Marino shows his appreciation for his mom's cooking by licking his knife clean during a delicious meal.
Barry Switzer
Laughter is infectious, and this photo of Cowboys coach Barry Switzer cutting loose in the locker room is almost sure to make you smile. Taken in 1994, this picture captures Switzer in his first season in Dallas after a long reign as coach at the University of Oklahoma.
Dick Vitale
It's not easy to get beloved basketball broadcaster Dick Vitale to stop talking, but this customized Dickie V sandwich spread probably kept his mouth full for a while.
Rick Barry
While a lethal perimeter threat on the court, NBA sharpshooter Rick Barry was cool and relaxed at home. After retiring, in 1980, Barry focused on raising his four sons, all of whom would become professional basketball players.
Earl Weaver
As ornery as he was beloved, Orioles manager Earl Weaver's fiery temperament got him thrown out of 91 games during his coaching tenure. His ejections were so frequent that he'd occasionally jump the gun and toss himself. This photo captures one of those instances.
Gaylord Perry
Ladies, this one is for you. Braves righty Gaylord Perry strikes up a conversation with an off-duty cop following a game in 1980. At 42 years old, Perry was baseball's oldest active pitcher at the time.
Magic Johnson
Ervin Johnson shows off his magic in front of 12 adoring women during a 1985 photo shoot in Manhattan Beach.
Bill Caudill
Bill Caudill shows off his bowling skills before a 1985 Blue Jays-Royals game. Later that year, the Royals would go on to win their first World Series in franchise history.
Manute Bol
Every end is the shallow end for Manute Bol. In this photo, the 7-foot-7 basketball star glides eerily along the bottom of a swimming pool.
George Foreman
In advance of his classic "Rumble in the Jungle" bout against Muhammad Ali, George Foreman loosens up with a game of ping-pong in his amazing '70s outfit. Ali's hands would ultimately prove quicker, however, and Foreman would lose the fight in the eighth round via knockout.
George Steinbrenner
Looking slightly more docile in his formative years, a young and dare-we-say athletic George Steinbrenner guns for a loose ball at a Culver Military Academy alumni basketball game.
Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson
They may have been part of the greatest basketball team ever assembled, but Dream Team members Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and Magic Johnson can't keep their signals straight during a shoot with legendary photographer Neil Leifer.
Gheorghe Muresan
Move over, Dikembe. Gheorghe Muresan is in the house. In this photo, the 7-foot-7 center steals Mutombo's famous finger wag.
Glen Davis
If Glen Davis really is a Big Baby, then he's the most graceful baby that ever lived. Here, as a student at Louisiana State, the power forward works on his arabesques with some local ballerinas.
Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas
Fresh off shooting a scene for Miami Vice, Pistons point guard Isiah Thomas shares a laugh with Magic Johnson during the 1984-85 season. Johnson would lead the Lakers to an NBA championship later that year, while Thomas would win his first title in 1989.
Dick Allen
During his MVP season with the White Sox, Dick Allen casually smokes a cigarette and juggles baseballs, giving impressionable young kids a clear blueprint for what they need to do to one day become the best power hitter in baseball.
Jack Lambert
Former Steelers linebacker Jack Lambert shares a tender moment with a duck. Despite being ruthless on the field, Lambert has always had a soft spot for animals and has served as a longtime volunteer deputy wildlife officer in his hometown of Worthington, PA.
Kevin Millar and Jason Varitek
Having heard he was a switch hitter, Kevin Millar takes a chance on a squeeze play with teammate Jason Varitek. Both men were integral parts of the 2004 Red Sox World Series team.
Alexi Lalas
Fresh off an appearance with U.S. national team in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, Alexi Lalas strolls through a vineyard with a guitar and soccer ball.
Jim Brown and Ricky Williams
Newly drafted New Orleans Saint Ricky Williams poses with legendary running back Jim Brown. Thankfully, their surf boards allowed this photo to maintain a PG rating.
Julius Erving with wife Turquoise
Julius Erving and then-wife Turquoise pose happily from inside of their Babylon, N.Y., home, which looks pretty much identical to your grandmother's, give or take a few Precious Moments figurines. Taken in 1978, Dr. J would later go on to lead the 76ers to an NBA championship.
Jim Leyland and Don Zimmer
Marlins manager Jim Leyland looks lovingly into the eyes of Yankees bench coach Don Zimmer. Unfortunately for Leyland, Zim appears terrified by the whole encounter.
Alex Rodriguez
No, Alex Rodriguez wasn't in a boy band. He was just a rookie with the Mariners who decided a sleeveless jersey was a good look.
Jim Valvano
Jim Valvano was the toast of the town after leading NC State to the 1983 NCAA championship. In this photo, he celebrates with the Wolfpack band.
Jim Kelly and the Houston Gamblers
Despite being known for his no-huddle offense, Houston Gamblers quarterback Jim Kelly huddles around with his teammates in a Huntsville, Texas bar. Kelly would go on to play in four Super Bowls with the Buffalo Bills over 11 seasons in the NFL.
John Daly
Just another day at the office for John Daly at the 2007 Masters as he signs an autograph for a Hooters girl. Daly did not compete in the tournament, but he had plenty (cigarettes, beer, Hustler) to keep him occupied.
Ed and Steve Sabol
NFL Films founders Ed and Steve Sabol pose at the NFL Films headquarters in New Jersey as Steve jokingly takes out the day's frustrations on his father.
Steve Young
Years before replacing Joe Montana in San Francisco, quarterback Steve Young was a dominant force at Brigham Young University. Here he gets his hair cut by one of his many undergrad admirers.
Philadelphia Eagles trainer Otho Davis
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski celebrates his Polish heritage while providing medical assistance to team trainer Otho Davis.
Larry Bird
Dress code be damned! Larry Bird enjoys a day off at the golf course.
Mario Lemieux
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Mario Lemieux doles out line assignments to a few honorary teammates.
John Riggins
Former Redskins running back John Riggins reels in a tiny fish, proving that you should leave it up to the wide receivers to catch stuff.
Steve Taneyhill
Despite being known for his goofball antics, South Carolina quarterback Steve Taneyhill won't crack a smile at this novelty mullet cap modeled after his long blonde locks.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
En route to his sixth MVP award in 1980, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar keeps loose by jamming on conga drums in his Bel Air home.
Dick Trickle
Zipping up his domestic beer jumpsuit in the back of a sparsely furnished trailer, NASCAR driver Dick Trickle gets ready to race at Darlington Raceway in 1989.
Brook and Robin Lopez
In this 2008 photo, two seven-foot men share a tiny dorm room bed and somehow manage to appear comfortable. It's just one of many impressive accomplishments of twin brothers (and Michael Jackson enthusiasts) Brook and Robin Lopez.
Brett Favre and wife Deanna
Brett Favre falls asleep halfway through his in-bed fast food meal, much to the chagrin of wife Deanna.
Earl Boykins
While not exactly to scale, this oversize basketball lends some amusing perspective to Eastern Michigan point guard Earl Boykins, who at 5-foot-5 would eventually become the second shortest player in NBA history.
Cooper, Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning
There's the famous Mannings, and then there's the not famous one. In this photo, taken at the Manning Passing Academy in 2003, the three famous Mannings throw footballs at the not famous Manning (aka - Cooper), which in retrospect seems more cruel than funny.
Larry Bird
Before the "Hick from French Lick" evolved into the Great White Hope, Larry Bird spent a three-year stint with the Indiana State Sycamores, apparently making quite an impression on the ladies -- or so this 1977 photo would suggest.
Walt Frazier
Knicks point guard Walt Frazier shows us his love nest, complete with circular bed and mirrored ceilings, during a 1971 SI photo shoot in his Manhattan apartment.
Larry Brown
A beacon of professionalism, Denver Nuggets coach Larry Brown sports a denim overall ensemble during a 1975 game against the Pacers.
Lee Trevino with children Tony and Lesley
Professional golfer Lee Trevino assumes the position while his children stand delighted in the background. This photo was shot while his Dallas home was being remodeled in 1981.
Lenny Dykstra
Phillies outfielder Lenny Dykstra fields a ball beneath the eerie gaze of a Hooters girl. This, however, wasn't any Hooters girl. The blonde in question was actually the wife of teammate Darren Daulton.
Chris Bosh
There aren't a lot of cowboys in Toronto, but Texas native Chris Bosh sticks to his roots during this 2008 SI photo shoot.
Los Angeles Lakers
The 1981-82 Los Angeles Lakers cram into a classroom for an SI photo shoot. The "Showtime" crew would spend the entire season schooling their opponents, cruising to an NBA championship over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Manny Ramirez
Seen without his trademark dreadlocks, a bald Manny Ramirez stands next to a hairy little effigy in this 1995 photo. Eighteen years later, a minor league contract with a Texas Rangers affiliate would require Ramirez to once again part with his hair.
Manute Bol and Spud Webb
Spud Webb and Manute Bol gear up for a pleasant day out on a rowboat -- Webb as the captain, Bol as the oar. Webb, one of the shortest players in NBA history at 5-foot-7, was a teammate of Bol's on the United States Basketball League's Rhode Island Gulls in 1985.
Mark Messier
Edmonton Oilers captain Mark Messier lounges in a sombrero in 1988, one month before winning his fourth Stanley Cup with the team.
Martin Gramatica
Placekicker isn't the most glamorous of positions, but in this photo Martin Gramatica milks it for all its worth. In his five seasons with the Buccaneers, Gramatica became enormously popular with fans and helped kick the team to a Super Bowl XXXVII win.
Dick Allen
White Sox slugger Dick Allen, reigning AL MVP, gets friendly with a horse for a photo shoot in 1973.
Miami Hurricanes fan
Few fans made our list of 100 funniest photos, and this guy was one of them. A quick look at his chest reveals why.
Michael Jordan, Orlando Woolridge and Rod Higgins
Ever a competitor, Michael Jordan celebrates sinking a putt while on a mini golf outing with Bulls teammates Orlando Woolridge and Rod Higgins in 1984. Higgins now serves as president of basketball operations for Jordan's Charlotte Bobcats.
Andre Agassi
Wearing an ensemble that embodies everything ridiculous about the 1990s, charismatic tennis star Andre Agassi kicks back for a Canon Rebel photo shoot in 1993.
Michael Phelps
U of M student Michael Phelps gets some homework done while waiting for his competition to catch up. Midterms would eventually give way to Olympic glory for Phelps, who in 2012 would become the most decorated Olympian of all time.
Nate Newton
Dallas Cowboys lineman Nate Newton is on the "eat everything" diet as he samples from every snack imaginable during a 1995 SI photo shoot.
Jose Cardenal
Cubs outfielder Jose Cardenal demonstrates the primary form of transportation from when Wrigley Field was first built.
Nicknamed "the chicken man" by teammate Jim Rice for his superstitious habit of eating chicken before every game, it's no secret that Wade Boggs had an affinity for poultry. Here he makes an accusatory gesture towards a chicken for a 1986 SI cover shoot.
San Diego Chicken
Speaking of chicken, this photo shows the San Diego Chicken administering an eye exam to an umpire during a Padres-Braves game in 1982. Vision, however, was probably the least of the ump's concerns considering he was willing to trust a giant bird with his optometry needs.
Dana Stubblefield and Dan Wilkinson
There was nothing angelic about Redskins defensive tackles Dana Stubblefield and Dan Wilkinson, who were both signed in 1998 to raise hell against opposing quarterbacks. The tandem wasn't as productive as the team would've hoped, however, with each of their numbers declining steadily throughout their tenures.
Wayne Gretzky
A 20-year-old Wayne Gretzky strikes a goofy pose behind an assortment of products he endorses. The Great One could learn a thing or two about modeling from his daughter, Paulina, whose sultry Instagram shots are infinitely more compelling than her old man's.
Randy White
Dallas Cowboys lineman Randy White stands on a boat and fishes for compliments, or so his decision to pose shirtless would lead us to believe.
Ray Allen
UConn shooting guard - and well known neat-freak - Ray Allen gestures with frustration at his roommate Travis Knight, whose messy ways drove Allen crazy. He would soon update his digs, however, earning nearly $200 million over a prolific NBA career that's still going strong.
Ricky Henderson, Dwayne Murphy and Tony Armas
A's outfielders Ricky Henderson, Dwayne Murphy and Tony Armas clown around on the warning track in 1982. The three made up the best young outfield in baseball, providing the bulk of the highlights in an otherwise disappointing A's season.
President Ronald Reagan with John Thompson and Patrick Ewing
Don't quit your day job, Mr. President. In this photo, Mr. Reagan demonstrates poor shooting form for John Thompson and Patrick Ewing during a 1984 SI cover shoot. Months earlier, Thompson had become the first African-American head coach in U.S. history to win a major collegiate championship, leading Georgetown to the NCAA men's basketball title over the University of Houston.
TCU Horned Frogs
TCU recruits Brett Alexander, Tony Darthard, LeVoil Crump and Chuck Mooney get an unexpected welcome to the Horned Frog family in a 1987 shoot for SI.
Muhammad Ali
Always his own biggest fan, Muhammad Ali takes a break from training to give props to a much smaller version of himself.
Bill Walton
Imagine going for a hike in the mountains and coming across a seven-foot tall, bearded, shirtless redhead?
Ronde and Tiki Barber
Twins Ronde and Tiki Barber hold hands on a swing set near their childhood home. Both men were stars at the University of Virginia before graduating to impressive NFL careers with the Buccaneers and Giants, respectively.
Sandy Alomar Jr.
Two Cleveland Indians fans get married at Jacobs Field with the blessing of catcher Sandy Alomar, Jr. If the bride happened to toss her bouquet, it's not a stretch to imagine who here might catch it.
"Ravishing" Rick Rude
Rick Rude was not only one of the most popular wrestlers of the 1980s, but also quite the ladies man.
"Big Daddy" Dan Wilkinson
People expect big things out of someone nicknamed "Big Daddy," and here Ohio State defensive tackle Dan "Big Daddy" Wilkinson lives up to the hype, eating with gigantic utensils not suitable for a lesser man.
Jose Canseco
Before becoming baseball's leading ambassador for steroids and lunacy, Jose Canseco was one of MLB's brightest talents -- bright enough to warrant these wayfarer shades.
Marvin Barnes
Pistons power forward Marvin "Bad News" Barnes deals with some bad news of his own, a nasty hand injury that kept him sidelined for part of his first NBA season, in 1977.
Tiger Woods and Alex Rodriguez
Tiger Woods shows off his new hairstyle while attending the 2001 Orange Bowl between Oklahoma and Florida State. A stoic Alex Rodriguez hovers in the background.
Tommy Lasorda
Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda gets blue blood drawn from his arm in 1982, indicating either that he bleeds Dodger blue or that he's in gross violation of MLB drug policy.
Bert Blyleven
Bert Blyleven's famous curveball dropped with the speed and force of a gavel, so perhaps there's some slight symbolism in this photo of the Hall of Famer decked out in judge's regalia, complete with a mop-top wig.
Victor Malafronte
Frisbee isn't the most popular sport in the world but with competitors like Victor "Super Friz" Malafronte, it may be ready for a comeback.
David Ortiz and Coco Crisp
Red Sox slugger David Ortiz pours a pitcher of milk on teammate Coco Crisp -- a seemingly logical thing to do to a guy whose name sounds so much like a cereal.
Michael Jordan and Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues
Back from his first retirement, Michael Jordan attempts to keep the ball out of Muggsy Bogues' reach in Game 1 of a playoff series. Bogues would take on Jordan the following year as well, only as a cartoon monster in the sports comedy film Space Jam.
Flying objects are usually not where you want to experience mystery, but in this case, I actually quite enjoy it.