Jang Wonyoung throws first pitch as Mets beat Dodgers
IVE member Jang Wonyoung threw the ceremonial first pitch before the New York Mets faced the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citi Field on Sunday, July 26, 2026. The K-pop star wore Mets No. 7, drew attention for her polished windup, and watched New York win 8-3 in the series finale.
The appearance put celebrity breaking news at the center of a high-profile MLB afternoon in Queens, as the full IVE lineup joined Jang Wonyoung on the field in Mets uniforms.
Key Takeaways
- Jang Wonyoung delivered the ceremonial first pitch at Citi Field before Mets vs. Dodgers on July 26, 2026.
- She wore a Mets jersey with No. 7 and the name "JANGWONYOUNG," styled over light blue denim pants.
- Fellow IVE members Ahn Yu-jin, Gaeul, Rei, Liz, and Leeseo attended in uniform alongside Korean entertainment and baseball figures.
- The Mets beat the Dodgers 8-3, closing the series with a win after Jang Wonyoung's first-pitch appearance.
Who threw out the first pitch at the Mets-Dodgers game?
According to Fox News OutKick and MLB Photos via Getty Images, Jang Wonyoung took the mound for ceremonial first-pitch duties before Sunday's Mets-Dodgers matchup at Citi Field in New York.
Yahoo News, citing Associated Press video coverage, also identified the IVE star as the first-pitch guest for the contest between New York and Los Angeles.
OutKick singled out her mechanics, calling the Korean pop star's windup "amazing" and comparing the delivery favorably with the pitching form American travel-ball kids often struggle to master.
Why did Jang Wonyoung's Mets look stand out?
Maeil Business reported that Jang Wonyoung and her IVE bandmates posed on the field in Mets uniforms, with her No. 7 jersey clearly labeled "JANGWONYOUNG" across the back.
She tied the hem of her uniform at the waist and paired it with light blue denim pants, creating a sharper silhouette than the looser fits worn by other members. In group shots of the members' backs, her No. 7 sat front and center.
Actor Ha Ji-won also wore Mets No. 7 at the same event, forming an unexpected shared-number moment captured in group photos. Cheerleader Ha Ji-won wore No. 22, while former KBO pitcher Dustin Nippert appeared in No. 52. Former MLB pitcher Kim Byung-hyun was also on hand, rounding out a rare mix of K-pop, acting, cheer, and baseball talent on one Citi Field stage.
Did the Mets win after Jang Wonyoung's first pitch?
Yes. Maeil Business reported that New York defeated Los Angeles 8-3 in the series finale at Citi Field, avoiding a series sweep. Coverage framed Jang Wonyoung's appearance as a winning first-pitch outing for the home club, with some fans tagging her a "victory fairy" for the day.
For US and UK audiences tracking K-pop's growing sports crossover, the Citi Field cameo underscored how quickly Jang Wonyoung can command attention beyond the stage—especially when a ceremonial pitch doubles as both a fashion moment and a viral baseball highlight.