Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark‘s off-court life has been in the spotlight this summer, and the attention only grew after her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, shared an exciting announcement involving his family and Major League Baseball.
While Clark and the Fever made headlines by capturing their first Commissioner’s Cup title, it was Connor‘s news that brought an extra dose of celebration to the household.
The story began with Clark‘s playful confession about her newfound baseball allegiance: “I’m a bit of a bandwagon Phillies fan now.”
The comment was a lighthearted nod to Connor McCaffery‘s longtime devotion to the Philadelphia Phillies-a passion that has gradually become a shared experience in their relationship.
Clark even tried her hand at play-by-play commentary for the Phillies during her rookie WNBA campaign, admitting the gig was far from easy.
“I messed up a few times,” Clark recalled. “That’s a hard gig. And also, I was out of breath and exhausted, so shoutout to all the commentators out there. I did it for like two minutes, and I needed a break.”
But the latest development from the McCaffery family goes beyond fandom.
On social media, Connor McCaffery revealed that his father, Fran McCaffery, newly appointed head coach of the Penn Quakers men’s basketball team, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Phillies ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park.
The announcement marks a proud moment for the McCafferys, bridging college basketball legacy and MLB tradition.
A Homecoming for Fran McCaffery at Penn
The invitation for Fran McCaffery to throw out the first pitch is more than a symbolic gesture.
After nearly 15 years at the helm of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Fran recently returned to his alma mater to lead Penn‘s men’s basketball program, a move that surprised many in college basketball circles.
Though some speculated retirement was on the cards after his Iowa tenure ended, McCaffery was quick to dispel those rumors.
“Not at all. Never. And I made that known to everybody in the profession,” McCaffery told CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein when asked if he ever considered stepping away from coaching.
The coach emphasized the unique opportunity to return to Penn, where he starred as a guard from 1979 to 1982 and earned a degree in finance.
“I take great pride in coming back to my alma mater and trying to do something special,” McCaffery said. “Because I believe in what this place stands for. So, I am thankful every day that I get to come here and work with this group.”
For the McCaffery family, the upcoming ceremonial pitch is both a celebration and a homecoming.
Fran‘s journey from standout player known as ‘White Magic’ at Penn to established coach has come full circle, now placing him on the mound in the heart of Philadelphia-a city steeped in his personal and professional history.
As the Fever’s Caitlin Clark enjoys success on the basketball court, the McCaffery family’s next chapter begins at Penn, marked by gratitude, tradition, and a ceremonial toss that links generations.
For Clark and Connor, it is another reminder of how family, sport, and legacy often intersect in unexpected ways.
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