Stevie Johnson rules the River Oaks red clay and was king of the hill in Houston this week.
The two-time defending Houston champion threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Astros-Yankees game.
More: Querrey Cruises in Houston
Clad in an Astros No. 27 jersey with "Johnson" across the back, the right-hander too the hill with a modest goal: reach the catcher.
"Just make sure I get it to the catcher and get it there all the way home," Johnson told the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship crew before the pitch. "The level of nerves are always a little high because it's something we don't do every day."
Adding to the pressure: a near full house excited to see two baseball superpowers face off.
While Stevie Johnson likely won't be confused with Randy Johnson anytime soon, he his pitch did reach the catcher though he didn't throw from the rubber.
Buddy Sam Querrey, whose father was drafted by the Detroit Tigers, offered a mixed review.
"He made it to the plate," Querrey said. "He looped it a little bit. It didn't have a ton of velocity, but overall it was a decent job."
How does Johnson's toss stack up to other tennis players?
Three years ago, former U.S. Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe used a full wind-up giving us this toss to remember—and advice from Billie Jean King.
Left-hander and long-time Mets fan John McEnroe recalled the young Tug McGraw with this opening pitch.
So who's the best tennis pitcher?
We'll go with Kim Clijsters.
Watch the former US Open champion, chewing gum like a big leaguer and clad in a classic Mets jersey, throw a strike prior to a 2010 Mets game.
Photo credit: U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship Facebook