Amidst the Tennessee Volunteers’ celebratory wave following their 2024 College World Series triumph and Tony Vitello’s decision to stay put despite Texas A&M’s overtures, a former star player found himself in the spotlight for an unexpected reason.
Ben Joyce, a standout pitcher for the Vols in his college days, inadvertently sparked laughter across the sports world with a social media mishap. On Monday, Joyce shared a photo of a bridge on his Instagram story, confidently identifying it as the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. However, much to his chagrin, it turned out to be a different landmark altogether.
Later in the day, Joyce admitted his error with a humorous tweet/post on X/Twitter, clarifying that the bridge in question was actually the Bay Bridge, not the Golden Gate. The mix-up provided plenty of amusement, showcasing a lighter side of the flame-throwing pitcher.
Upon further review this is not the Golden Gate Bridge. https://t.co/vuHIHeP48n
— Ben Joyce (@benjoyce08) July 1, 2024
Currently hurling for the Los Angeles Angels, Joyce has made his mark in the majors with appearances in ten games during the 2024 season, sporting a commendable 3.97 ERA with ten strikeouts across 11.1 innings pitched. Known for his blistering fastball and evolving off-speed arsenal, Joyce’s rapid ascent through the minor leagues after being drafted in the third round of the 2022 MLB Draft suggests a promising future as a key bullpen arm.
Back in Knoxville, Joyce remains a beloved figure among Vols fans, remembered for consistently reaching triple-digit velocities on the mound, often touching 103-104 MPH—a feat that solidified his place in college baseball lore as one of its hardest throwers.