ARMY will have to wait until next year to hear new music from BTS. But in the meantime, the K-pop superstar boy band’s diehards can slake their thirst by watching member V smoke the ceremonial first pitch at a Los Angeles Dodgers game on Monday (Aug. 25).
Taking the field to screams from the Dodger faithful, V, wearing baggy, acid-washed jeans, a No. 7 Blake Snell jersey (with a custom “V” on the back) tucked into his pants and a blue Dodgers cap, leftie Taehyung took a small bow after his introduction and hurled a solid pitch down the middle to catcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto; watch a video of the pitch here.
The Dodgers posted a photo album of the special moment — calling the singer their “mVp” — featuring action shots, a snap with Yamamoto, as well as photos with No. 25 Tommy Edman, who plays on the South Korean national team in international games, and pics with pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Tyler Glasnow, outfielder Kike Hernandez and a snap with the team’s 2024 championship trophy.
According to the Associated Press, V also gave the traditional call of “It’s time for Dodger baseball!’ in English at the game against the Cincinnati Reds before individually greeting the kids who run on the field to collect player autographs before each home game.
Even better, he got to meet and hang out with Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and FaceTime with South Korean Dodgers rookie Kim Hye-seong, who regretted that he could not be there in person to hang with V because of a recent injury he is rehabbing. “Hello, I’m a fan,” Hey-seong told V in their chat, with the singer responding, “It’s an honor.”
“I heard you weren’t able to come because you’re hurt,” V said. “Yes that’s right,” Hey-seong confirmed. “I wanted to be there so badly.” V said it would have been “so nice” to meet the second baseman/shortstop who is nicknamed “The Comet” due to his base-running speed. While Hey-seong couldn’t make it because he’s in Oklahoma getting treatment, the men said they hope to meet up in L.A. the next time they’re both there.
Seeming a bit nervous about the first pitch, V told Hey-seong, “I’ll do my best to throw today,” saying he had really been hoping to “learn from you” about pitching, with the baller promising that he’d be happy to give him some lessons some day. “I’ll do my best tonight,” V said.
Now that all seven members of BTS have completed their mandatory South Korean military service the septet — comprised of Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jung Kook — are gearing up to re-emerge after a more than three-year hiatus. RM recently told ARMY that he’s been “working diligently” on the plans for the band’s next album and tour, both set for next year.