[My Daily = Reporter Park Seo-yeon] BTS's V successfully threw the first pitch at the Major League Baseball (MLB) game.
On the 26th (Korean time), V took the mound as the ceremonial first pitcher before the game between the LA Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, USA. As V appeared in his LA Dodgers uniform, the stadium was filled with enthusiastic cheers. As BTS's hit song "MIC Drop" resonated throughout the stadium, V showed off a wonderful first pitch with a bright smile.
V then made a surprise appearance on the mound and livened up the atmosphere by powerfully shouting out the LA Dodgers' signature catchphrase, "It's time for Dodger baseball!" This is the phrase that legendary Major League Baseball broadcaster Vin Scully used to announce the start of LA Dodgers games. V's cleverness in shouting it out himself sent the entire Dodger Stadium into a frenzy of excitement.
The local broadcast crew also responded enthusiastically. From the broadcast booth, they said, "V is a global sensation. As soon as we announced the news of his first pitch, ticket sales exploded, and thanks to him, a huge crowd will flock to the stadium." Indeed, when news spread that V would be the first pitcher, the ticket reservation site's servers temporarily crashed. According to online ticket sales platform StubHub, ticket sales for that day's game surged more than fivefold compared to the average. The broadcast crew also emphasized V's global brand power, calling him "an undisputed superstar." Regarding his control, they praised him, saying, "He threw some amazing breaking balls. I'm going to sign him right away."
V said through his agency Big Hit Music, "I watched an LA Dodgers game with the members when we first debuted. It was fun coming back here after such a long time and memories of that time came flooding back. It was fun to throw the ceremonial first pitch at a place filled with memories from my debut. If I get another chance, I want to learn more properly and throw the ceremonial first pitch again. I sincerely thank ARMY (our fandom name) and baseball fans for their passionate support."
With this first pitch, V captured the attention of both global K-pop and sports fans, proving his global presence. He has recently been active as a model for a variety of sectors, including high-end luxury goods, global beverage and coffee brands, and premium outdoor apparel, exerting a broad influence across culture and lifestyle.
Meanwhile, BTS, which V is a member of, is currently working on music with the goal of a comeback in the spring of 2026. They plan to hold a large-scale world tour along with the release of their new album.