Dirk Nowitzki: Best Rangers Pitcher in Game 3 of 2011 World Series

When Dirk Nowitzki of the World Champion Dallas Mavericks threw out the first pitch prior to Game 3 of the 2011 World Series, MLB built some positive public relations with NBA and Mavericks fans in the Dallas area.

MLB first declined to let Nowitzki throw out the first pitch, in an effort to support their fellow executives during the NBA lockout, but soon changed their mind when they realized that to not let Dirk throw out the first pitch was going to be a public relations mistake.

Nowitzki, to his credit, was classy through the whole situation, leaving the following comment on his Twitter account: "Thanks every1 on the support regarding first pitch. Its ok.Mlb is too old school. I will still be there to support our boys. Let's get game1."

Dirk is an ardent Texas Rangers fan and attends games often. In fact, following the NBA Championships, where he was named MVP, Nowitzki threw out the first pitch at a Rangers game.

When Dirk Nowitzki threw the four-seamer first pitch to Texas Rangers first baseman Michael Young Saturday night, good things happened. Young didn't miss it, and the Rangers and MLB and the Mavericks and the NBA gained some good public relations.

But most importantly, he may have been the only pitcher all night that Albert Pujols didn't get a chance to hit!