Giants Pay Tribute To Robin Williams With First Pitch By Kids, Billy Crystal
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Robin Williams' smiling face, in a variety of his most well-loved characters, adorned the big screen at AT&T in a stirring tribute to the late award-winning actor.
Zak Williams, the oldest son of the beloved Academy Award winner and comedian, lofted an emotional ceremonial first pitch to Billy Crystal to start Game 5 of the World Series between Williams' San Francisco Giants and the Kansas City Royals on Sunday night.
Zak, joined at the AT&T Park mound by siblings Zelda and Cody, found Crystal's glove then erupted in joy. Zak raised both arms into the air before finding Crystal, an award-winning actor and close Williams friend, for an embrace.
A special tribute for Williams played on the main center-field scoreboard, featuring highlights of his films as well as photos of him from various visits to the ballpark — one with home run king Barry Bonds and Hall of Famer Willie Mays. A clip of Williams leading fans in a pregame chant also played, and Crystal got things going with his own chant of "Play ball!"
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"We are honored to be here in support of the tribute to our father, someone who loved his hometown and especially the Giants," Williams' children said in a statement through the Giants. "For all of us, it is a tremendous delight and a little surreal to throw out the ceremonial first pitch of a World Series game for our team to our dad's best friend. We could not think of a better way to celebrate his memory. Let's go Giants!"
Williams, who lived in nearby Marin County, died Aug. 11 of an apparent suicide. He was 63.
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