As he has done often during his playing career, former Dallas Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens put off the field troubles behind him to give the fans a show.
Only months after he was released and relieved of his ownership stake with the IFL's Allen Wranglers, Owens proved he is still in good faith with the Dallas area fans when he received nothing but cheers from those who packed Dr. Pepper Ballpark to near capacity Saturday for Dirk Nowitzki's 2012 Heroes Celebrity Baseball Game.
Owens also saved his best treat for last in pacing the White Sox' 13-6 victory over the Blue Sox.
The five time All-Pro selection came up to bat in the top half of the eighth inning with a man on base and the White Sox clinging to a one run lead. Owens proceeded to hit the ball in the outfield gap, driving in a run.
Owens had his sights set on an inside the park home run, but decided to hit the brakes at third. The next batter, Dallas Mavericks guard Vince Carter, plated Owens with a base hit of his own.
But while Owens was named the game's MVP, careening three hits through the Blue Sox defense, it was a late addition to the annual celebrity showcase that stole the show.
NBA Hall of Famer and current TNT analyst Charles Barkley showed why he was a fan favorite throughout the night, whether it was by signing all the autographs he could, answering extra questions from the media or playing shortstop during the Baylor Medical Center at Frisco Celebrity Home Run Derby that preceded Saturday's game.
Barkley even tried his hand at pitching, giving up a slew of base hits and even a home run to former Texas Ranger Kevin Mench. Barkley settled into his groove on the mound later however, forcing Mench to pop out their next meeting and even added a nice catch near the foul line to derail a White Sox rally.
When asked about his performance between innings, Barkley was satisfied, less about the play and more about not injuring himself.
"I have low expectations for myself in baseball," he said. "I was just trying not to get hurt."
Barkley wasn't the only participant out of their realm Saturday.
Mavericks guard Delonte West wore a right-handed glove, despite the fact that he is a lefty. Whenever the ball went West's way, he would catch it in the glove, than take the glove off in order to throw the ball.
Other players made unexpected plays.
Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle could barely run but was able to hit the ball to the outfield two of three times. Mavs forward Brian Cardinal showed impressive baseball versatility by fielding balls at third base and right field.
The namesake of the game, Nowitzki, even legged out an infield single.
Mench wins Home Run Derby
Prior to taking the diamond for Saturday's contest, over 20 players participated in the Baylor Medical Center at Frisco Celebrity Home Run Derby.
Held at HITS400 in Plano, each participant was given six swings and points were tallied depending on how far one hit the ball. Some participated to try and hit the ball out of the park while others, like Carlisle, had other reasons.
"[I'm in the home run derby] just to swing the bat a few more times," Carlisle said. "I'm not expecting to hit any home runs. I'm a contact hitter."
After each player got their six swings in, the top three advanced to the finals where they got eight swings. The finalists were former Major Leaguer and Arlington native Ben Grieve, Dallas television series actor Josh Henderson, and Mench.
Grieve started the final with a strong showing, earning 1,500 points. Henderson could only manage 800 points, a 400-point drop from the qualifying round. Mench was last up and proved why he was a fan favorite during his time with the Rangers, hitting a derby-high three out-of-the-park home runs.
Mench cruised to victory with a final tally of 2,800 points.
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