Video: NBA Icon Derrick Rose to Throw Out White Sox 1st Pitch for MLB Opening Day

A Chicago icon will be throwing out the first pitch on MLB's Opening Day on the South Side this year.

The Chicago White Sox announced Derrick Rose will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before they host the Los Angeles Angels at Rate Field on March 27. They revealed as much Thursday with a video that showed the former Chicago Bulls point guard standing on a bullpen mound covered in rose petals:

Rose is from Chicago and played for the Bulls for the first eight seasons of his NBA career.

While injuries prevented him from reaching his full potential, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2008 NBA draft was a three-time All-Star with the Bulls and took home the 2010-11 NBA MVP and 2008-09 Rookie of the Year.

His explosive speed in the open court made him a fan favorite and nearly impossible to stop, and the Bulls honored him during Derrick Rose Night on Jan. 4 this season during a game against the New York Knicks.

As part of the celebration, the Bulls also announced they will retire his No. 1 jersey during the 2025-26 campaign.

That will make him the fifth player in franchise history to receive such an honor, joining Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Jerry Sloan and Bob Love.

Given his stature in the city of Chicago, Rose has thrown out the first pitch at a White Sox game in the past. He and his son, P.J., also previously threw the first pitch together at a Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field on the North Side.

But this time he is taking the mound for Opening Day after he was recently celebrated for his contributions to Chicago sports and the community, and there will be no shortage of eyes on him as he kickstarts the season for the White Sox.