Pleasanton’s weather expert throws out Oakland A’s first pitch

Pleasanton’s Roberta Gonzales, known throughout the Bay Area as a weather anchor and reporter for KPIX 5 TV and KCBS Radio, threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a recent Oakland Athletics home game.

Gonzales is seasoned when it comes to opening pitches — the appearance last month was her sixth all-time.

“I’m incredibly blessed the Oakland A’s have invited me over the seasons to throw out the ceremonial first pitch,” Gonzales told the Weekly. “I believe they do so because they know I’m the biggest A’s fan on television. As an East Bay resident, I love my Athletics!”

Despite her experience, Gonzales said she still gets butterflies in her stomach each time she steps out on a major-league mound.

“Tossing out first pitch is truly one of the scariest things I ever do,” she said. “I recently had somebody ask me, if it is so frightening why do I do it every year? The answer is simple. It’s because it makes me feel alive.”

“I get butterflies as soon as I get to the baseball field and can barely swallow and I have heart palpitations. My stomach is tossing and turning and my head is swirling. Sometimes I feel as if I can’t breathe,” she added. “It is such an amazing thrill and excruciating at the same time. I’m totally out of my element tossing a ball 60 feet in front of a large crowd. But as long as the Oakland A’s keep inviting me I will continue to do it!”

Gonzales’ first pitch ushered in an afternoon slugfest at the Oakland Coliseum on June 22 between the hometown A’s and visiting Houston Astros, a game eventually won 12-9 by the first-place ‘Stros.