Legendary Professional Wrestler Shouts Out Seattle Mariners Starter Bryan Woo
SEATTLE — Thursday was a pretty good day for Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo.
On top of having a quality start of 6.2 innings pitched (and leading his team to a 5-2 win over the San Diego Padres), Woo carried a perfect game bid into the seventh inning. He was 2.2 innings away from becoming the first Seattle pitcher to have a perfect game since Felix Hernandez did it in 2012.
Woo's attempt at perfection was disrupted by a solo home run hit by Fernando Tatis Jr. in the top of the seventh. Woo was pulled in the same inning and was noticeably frustrated over not finishing out the frame, but he still received a standing ovation from Mariners fans at T-Mobile Park and a lot of words of encouragement from his teammates.
Woo's arm-reach within perfection was a big topic after the game. So was his choice of game cleats.
Woo's footwear featured the symbols and likeness of legendary professional wrestler "the Nature Boy" Ric Flair and of Rob Friedman, AKA "the Pitching Ninja."
Friedman specializes in covering pitchers and makes content covering some of the best throws on any respective day and also talks with many pitchers across the major leagues about pitching mechanics.
Flair is a multi-time World Heavyweight Champion in WWE and WCW. Flair would famously exclaim "Woo" during his career, which the Mariners use as a soundbite at T-Mobile Park when Woo (the pitcher, not the exclamation) is on the mound.
Friedman gave Woo a shout out for his choice of cleats after the game on "X", which Woo responded to.
Must’ve been the cleats 🥷 https://t.co/OwoOidY8CA
— Bryan Woo (@BJW002) September 12, 2024
Turns out, Friedman wasn't the only one paying attention.
Flair also shouted out Woo on his "X" account:
"Thanks For The Respect Bryan Woo @BJWOO2! WOOOOO! @Mariners"
Thanks For The Respect Bryan Woo @BJW002! WOOOOO! @Mariners pic.twitter.com/Um7Lz9JhWE
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) September 12, 2024
Those cleats might be one to put in the trophy case for Woo. Or a good luck charm. Either way, they attention they've gotten has been has been fun to watch.
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