Maybe Clearwater Vice Mayor George Cretekos should try out for the Philadelphia Phillies, especially after the team’s abysmal performance last weekend against the Los Angeles Angels.

Cretekos, subbing for Mayor Frank Hibbard, threw out the ceremonial pitch at Saturday’s game - a slow changeup that caught the outside corner of the plate. He said he was nervous, especially in front of a sellout crowd of more than 45,000 people.

Council member Paul Gibson, who accompanied Cretekos on the trip, told Bay Buzz: "It was a stellar pitching performance.''  He just wishes he stayed in for the rest of the game.

- Mike Donila, Times Staff Writer