Utah Jazz: Donovan Mitchell blasts homer at Harden’s charity softball game

Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell blasted a ball out of the park at James Harden’s charity softball game on Saturday.

Earlier this morning, I shared a video of Donovan Mitchell and Royce O’Neale going up against James Harden and Chris Paul on the hardwood. It turns out that the two Utah Jazz standouts were in town to participate in James Harden’s charity softball game held on Saturday.

And Mitchell proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was (is) indeed a duel-sport athlete as he showed off his skills on the baseball field. In the top of the second inning, he blasted a three-run homer to put Team Chris Paul ahead of Team James Harden 5-1.

Check out the sweet swing and dinger in the clips below–

Most Utah fans know that Mitchell was an excellent baseball player and could have very well pursued a career in that sport as well. I think I speak for all of Jazz Nation when I say I’m glad he stuck with basketball, though.

It’s cool to see Mitchell continue to make headlines, not only as a participant in a charity softball game hosted by the league’s MVP, but also thriving in a sport outside of the one he plays professionally.

The softball game ended up being an exciting one, as the game was tied 11-11 after four innings, then had to go to a home run derby tiebreaker to settle the contest. Ultimately, Donovan Mitchell, Royce O’Neale and the rest of Team CP3 prevailed in that event 6-1 to win the game.

In all, it was a fun event, but most importantly it was for a great cause. All proceeds from the softball game went to the ‘3 The Harden Way Foundation’ which, per the official website, “provide[s] higher learning opportunities for future leaders of our nation” and is “dedicated to bridging economic and educational gaps in the Houston Metropolitan Area by providing academic financial support to high achieving students demonstrating leadership within communities facing economic hardship.”

A great cause, a great performance from Donovan Mitchell and more great exposure for the Utah Jazz. I’d say that’s one heck of a successful weekend. And yet again, I find myself asking, is there anything that Mitchell can’t do?

It’s fun to see him connecting with his colleagues that play for the Houston Rockets, but I’m looking even more forward to him challenging them on the hardwood. We’re just about two months away from getting to witness just that as Utah and Houston will do battle for the first time in the 2018-19 season on October 24th.