Robert Redford to toss Cubs first pitch

CHICAGO, March 26 (UPI) -- The Chicago Cubs announced veteran actor Robert Redford will do the first-pitch honors on Opening Day at Wrigley Field next week.

Redford, who played Roy Hobbs in the baseball film "The Natural," will be on the mound April 1 when the Cubs open their season with a day game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Chicago Tribune said Saturday Redford actually has some decent baseball cred for a Hollywood heartthrob. He played high school ball with Don Drysdale and pitched for the University of Colorado on a baseball scholarship.

Redford will be in the Windy City to promote his new film "The Conspirator," which was financed by a company controlled by Joe Ricketts, the owner of the Cubs.

Also on the agenda for Opening Day at Wrigley will be the national anthem sung by Wayne Messmer and the traditional "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" led by Ron Santo Jr., son of late Cubs legend Ron Santo.