Still recovering, Bruschi joins in Red Sox's first-pitch ceremony

BOSTON -- New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi threw out a ceremonial first pitch at the Boston Red Sox's home opener Monday, nearly eight weeks after being treated for a mild stroke.

"I am feeling pretty good," Bruschi said in a statement.

He walked with a slight limp from the left-field wall along with three others who threw out first pitches -- former Boston Celtics great Bill Russell, former Boston Bruins star Bobby Orr and New England defensive end Richard Seymour. All received a loud ovation as they walked to the mound.

"I have firsthand knowledge on why the fans of New England are the best in the world," Bruschi said. "It's because of all the support they've given me -- all the letters, all the e-mails and all the flowers that have been sent.

"I want to tell them the most sincere 'thank you' because they've helped me get to where I am today."

Bruschi, wearing a white Red Sox jersey with manager Terry Francona's No. 47 on the back, threw his pitch to Francona.

"This is an extreme honor for me because this is a historic day -- the Red Sox championship solidifying the championships of the Patriots, the Celtics and the Bruins," Bruschi said.

Bruschi had the stroke 10 days after the Patriots won their third Super Bowl in four years and three days after playing in his first Pro Bowl in Hawaii. He's been working out in Foxboro but there has been no announcement of his future playing prospects.

The 31-year-old Bruschi left Massachusetts General on Feb. 18, two days after his wife, Heidi, called 911, saying her husband was experiencing "blurred vision, numbness on the right side of his body."