Tigers vs. Athletics: MC Hammer to throw out first pitch before Game 5

The one and only MC Hammer will throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to Game 5 of the American League Division Series between the Detroit Tigers and Oakland Athletics, according to MLive's Chris Iott.

MC Hammer, whose real-life name is Stanley Kirk Burrell, is a native of Oakland, Calif, and has a history with the A's that dates back to the early-1970s. Back then, Hammer sold baseballs and performed beatbox dancing routines to earn money to buy tickets to games. That caught the attention of former A's owner Charlie Finley, who hired Hammer as a clubhouse attendant and batboy, a position that Burrell held until 1980.

Hammer even owes his the creation of his stage name to his days with the A's, as Reggie Jackson reportedly gave him the nickname because he looked like a little Hank Aaron. Hammer's first career choice was to be a professional baseball player. But, after a tryout for the San Francisco Giants did not materialize, he joined the Navy before eventually starting his own record label with money borrowed from former A's players Mike Davis and Dwayne Murphy.

The actual first pitch of the fifth and deciding game is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET.