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Thursday, November 12, 2026Nov 12

Marlins’ Ziegler adds to collection of saves, autographs

Former NBA player Shaquille O'Neal throws out a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves, Friday, May 11, 2018, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Former NBA player Shaquille O'Neal throws out a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves, Friday, May 11, 2018, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Former NBA player Shaquille O'Neal throws out a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves, Friday, May 11, 2018, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

MIAMI (AP) – Marlins closer Brad Ziegler collects autographed baseballs as well as saves.

His latest acquisition in the former category is a ball signed by Shaquille O’Neal, who threw the ceremonial first pitch to Ziegler at the Marlins-Braves game Friday.

Ziegler likes to take part in such festivities. This season Ziegler has also caught ceremonial tosses from football stars Antonio Brown and Mark Walton.

In the past he has been a pregame backstop for NFLers Larry Fitzgerald and Calais Campbell, entertainer MC Hammer and several Olympic medalists. As a memorabilia collector, he always tries to snag an autograph too.

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