Jayson Tatum and Matthew Tkachuk throw out first pitch, recreate viral photo at Cardinals’ game

Former prep classmates Jayson Tatum and Matthew Tkachuk were back in St. Louis on Sunday

This spring two former classmates at Chaminade Prep High School in St. Louis closed in on glory in their respective sports, and as they did so a photo of the two of them together quickly went viral on social media. While Matthew Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers were closing in on the Stanley Cup, Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics were tracking down an NBA title of their own.

That made this photo of the two a very popular image this spring:

Matthew Tkachuk: Stanley Cup Champion
Jayson Tatum: NBA Champion

Two kids from St. Louis pic.twitter.com/aT0gHfDWgP

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 25, 2024

The two were back together in St. Louis on Sunday, invited to throw out the first pitch ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals’ game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Of course, they brought some hardware with them for the occasion:

St. Louis's own! Matthew Tkachuk and Jayson Tatum enjoy a warm welcome home and throw the ceremonial first pitches together. #STLCards pic.twitter.com/ahLri7ynKa

— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) August 18, 2024

Tatum and Tkachuck even recreated that photograph from their prep days while at the ballpark:

How it started ➡️ How it's going.

Jayson Tatum and Matthew Tkachuk reunited with childhood classmate Jacob B. to recreate their famous bus photo at the ballpark today!#ForTheLou pic.twitter.com/Y0ty2mIdf0

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) August 18, 2024

Even better? The student sitting behind them in that photograph joined the duo for a day at the stadium, and got into the recreation of the photograph as well:

Meet Jacob — classmate of Jayson Tatum and Matthew Tkachuk who is pictured in this viral photo.

He joined Tatum and Tkachuk at the ballpark today as the two threw out the first pitch as champions. #ForTheLou pic.twitter.com/tYmy8Su9h2

— Tamar Sher (@tamar_sher) August 18, 2024

It just goes to show you: Be nice to everyone you meet in school.

It might get you invited to a baseball game someday.