Stew Leonard's CEO To Throw First Pitch At NY Yankees Game

NORWALK, CT — The garden center at Stew Leonard's in Norwalk briefly became a baseball diamond Monday afternoon as CEO Stew Leonard Jr. prepared to throw out the first pitch at an upcoming New York Yankees game.

Leonard is scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the start of Tuesday night's game, during which the Yankees will play against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y., according to additional press materials provided by the store.

To make sure his delivery is Major League–worthy, Leonard called in an all-star coaching staff for a special practice session at the Norwalk store, located at 100 Westport Avenue.

Those on hand to help Leonard perfect his pitch included Matthew Rinaldi, this past year's captain of the Norwalk High School baseball team and some of his teammates.

Lindsey Anrico, a Stew Leonard's team member and former Division I softball player, acted as catcher and stood behind home plate while Leonard tossed some balls from a pitcher's mound "just shy" of 60 feet away from the plate.

Norwalk Little League players and their families were also present to cheer Leonard on alongside store mascot Wow the Cow and other employees of Stew Leonard's, Stew Leonard's Wines & Spirits of Norwalk and the Stewie the Duck Swim School.

Leonard wore a Mariano Rivera baseball jersey as Rinaldi gave the store CEO some advice on how to throw the ball.

Leonard noted at the start of the event he had undergone rotator cuff surgery, so he was unable to throw the ball like he used to. Nevertheless, he found he was able to throw the ball as far as 55 feet during some recent practice sessions.

According to MLB.com, the pitcher's plate must be 60 feet and 6 inches away from the back point of home plate.

"Everybody told me if I throw a dirt ball, the whole stadium boos," Leonard said to the crowd gathered outside the store, "so I can't throw it short."

Leonard said the opportunity to throw out the first pitch this week came through Mike's Amazing Mayonnaise, a sponsor of the New York Yankees whose products are sold at Stew Leonard's.

Leonard also recently was honored by New York City Mayor Eric Adams for saving the life of a New York television news station crew member who was choking by performing the Heimlich maneuver on them.

Adams declared Aug. 8, 2025, as "Stew Leonard Jr. Day" in New York City and commended Leonard for his "quick-thinking and bravery" during the incident.

Leonard noted his recent life-saving actions were likely a factor in getting to throw out the first pitch this week as well.

"I think it was maybe a little 'New York thank you' in a way," Leonard said to Patch.

Though Leonard has appeared on television a number of times, including a scheduled appearance on CNN this week, he noted he is more nervous about throwing out the pitch.

"On CNN, I know what I'm talking about," Leonard said, "[but] I haven't thrown a pitch since little league."

Leonard said he is a huge New York sports fan and roots for a number of teams, including the New York Islanders, Jets and of course the Yankees.

"I love them all, and I really want New York [teams] always to excel and do better, and I always root for them," Leonard said. "I've watched the Yankees, I've been to a number of games. It's thrilling, it's exciting and they're such an icon, so I'm like really honored to be asked to go do this."

In addition to Rinaldi, Leonard said he recently received videos from sports radio and television personality Craig Carton and Michael "Large" McCarthy of Barstool Sports offering him advice on how to throw a good first pitch.

He also noted he was still waiting on a video from famed musician Jon Bon Jovi, who supplied a Stew Leonard's wine store in Paramus, N.J., with signed bottles of wine and a guitar to auction off in 2022.

Leonard also pointed out that he purposely wore Rivera's "42" jersey for Monday's event as a tribute to the former New York Yankees pitcher, who played with the team from 1995 to 2013.

According to Leonard, Rivera is the "best customer" at their Yonkers, N.Y., store location.

"He's up there all the time and we take good care of him," Leonard said. "He loves tomahawk steaks...I would love to go out on the mound with a big tomahawk steak and thank Mariano Rivera for shopping at the store. I don't think they're going to let me do that though."

Stew Leonard's News on Patch:

• Stew Leonard's Treat Named 'Most Iconic Dessert' In CT By Condé Nast Traveler
  
• Stew Leonard Jr. Honored By NYC Mayor For Saving Choking Person
  
• Famous Actor Visits Stew Leonard's Wine Store In Norwalk
• Stew Leonard's In Norwalk The Site Of Date From 'The Bachelorette'
• Rapper, Actor Snoop Dogg Sings Praises Of Popular Grocery Store Chain
• Stew Leonard's Unveils Bronze Statue Of Founder, Celebrates Store Grand Reopening
• Plans To Bring New Stew Leonard's Store To Orange Shopping Center Stall Over Rent Cost

Stew Leonard's, the "World's Largest Dairy Store," was founded in Norwalk in 1969 and is known for its friendly staff, whimsical animatronic displays and promotions, as well as its loyal customers.

In addition to Norwalk, the family-run grocery store chain has locations in Danbury and Newington, as well as three New York stores and two New Jersey locations.