What do baseball and NASCAR have in common?
Apparently, Kevin James.
The actor and noted Mets fan was called upon to throw the first pitch in New York’s Tuesday matchup against the Baltimore Orioles. After a majestic toss to home plate, James was offered the microphone to give the crowd a modified rendition of one of the most memorable “start your engines” moments in recent racing history.
Here’s everything to know about James’ unique Mets game intro as the actor references viral 2007 Daytona 500 moment to fire up the New York crowd.
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Kevin James’ Mets game intro, explained
James’ callback before the Mets game was a nod to his equally passionate introduction at the 2007 Daytona 500, where he begins with the same two statements.
“God bless our troops, God bless America,” he says in both instances.
But rather than finishing off with “gentlemen, start your engines” as he did in Daytona, James adds a clever tribute to his favorite baseball team and kicks off the game with a roar.
“God bless the New York Mets, and gentlemen, let’s play ball!” he finishes, as the crowd roars back.
Kevin James actually did the thing before the Mets game tonight ? pic.twitter.com/dbP574opIR
— MLB (@MLB) August 20, 2024
James took to social media after the game to apologize for his raucous demeanor, not that there was much to apologize for. It’s safe to say Mets fans enjoyed his emotive announcement despite the team falling to Baltimore 9-5.
Sorry for yelling but man I love baseball! https://t.co/N6JwEda1Jc
— Kevin James (@KevinJames) August 21, 2024
Kevin James ‘Gentlemen, start your engines!” command
The actor was honored with the role of Grand Marshal at the 2007 Daytona 500, and he took the role very seriously — so seriously that he created one of the greatest commands in NASCAR history.
After blessing America and the troops, James grew so passionate in his announcement that he basically screamed “gentlemen, start your engines” into the microphone.
“If you ever get the chance to give the command, that’s the lesson you should follow,” the commentator said after.
And according to his performance at Tuesday’s Mets game, James clearly followed his own lead.
DAYTONA BABY!!! ? Go get ‘em… @austindillon3 @ColeCuster @Blaney @NASCAR @netflix #thecrew pic.twitter.com/lhjbwVe42L
— Kevin James (@KevinJames) February 16, 2020
MORE: Mets predicted to lose four-time All-Star slugger in free agency
Kevin James meme
Aside from giving legendary openings to sporting events, James happens to be the face of a popular meme that began to make rounds on the internet in the fall of 2023.
The photo of him smirking in a 1998 promo for the sitcom “The King of Queens” became a reaction picture used to describe situations that match the comedian’s unique facial expression and hands-in-pockets stance.
Me loving the fact that a Kevin James promo shot from The King Of Queens (the greatest sitcom of all time) is being used as the latest trending meme: pic.twitter.com/Sm6vakMewF
— Gavin Thomas (@gavinthomas2015) October 1, 2023
Here are some of the best posts using James’ likeness from the trend.
me after 1 double rum and diet pic.twitter.com/zfJFNCuCbT
— andy from 5 to 7 (@ChampagneAnyone) September 22, 2023
How I look when I’m on aux and someone asks “what song is this?” pic.twitter.com/pDF4lX4AV2
— ??. (@fugazifreddy) September 24, 2023
me when i spot someone in f1 merch pic.twitter.com/lVC4cdNbca
— nini (@SCUDERIAFEMBOY) September 26, 2023