Simmons, who collected a Best Supporting Actor honour in February (15) for his turn as a tough jazz orchestra leader in Whiplash, was on the mound for the Tigers and admitted he was more nervous about throwing the ceremonial first pitch at Detroit's Comerica Park than he was when his name was called at the Academy Awards.

Taking to the broadcast booth for the game, he said, "Honestly, I was more nervous than I was walking up on the stage at the Dolby Theatre. I short-armed it (pitch), but caught the corner."

A longtime Tigers fan, Simmons added, "I live in L.A. now, and I catch you guys about 150 games a year, definitely over 100. If you're not sitting around the home at four o'clock, you can always put it on the DVR (record it on the cable box) and watch it anytime. Everyone knows not to ever give me the scores because I'll be watching it."

Simmons gave the home team a big boost - the Tigers beat the Twins 4-0.

He wasn't the only movie star who enjoyed opening day at the ball park on Monday - Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis took in the Los Angeles Dodgers home game and posted a selfie of themselves at Dodger Stadium online.