Washington Nationals superfan — or as he’s better known, the nation’s top infectious disease expert — Dr. Anthony Fauci will throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the team on Opening Day this Thursday.
“Dr. Fauci has been a true champion for our country during the Covid-19 pandemic and throughout his distinguished career, so it is only fitting that we honor him as we kick off the 2020 season and defend our World Series Championship title,” the Nationals said in their announcement.
Thursday’s game against the New York Yankees at Nationals Park is slated to start at 7 p.m. and will be televised nationally.
Fauci’s love for the home team is well known. He wore a Nationals mask during a Congressional committee hearing last month and described himself as an “avid Washington Nationals fan.” In April, Fauci did a coronavirus Q&A with face-of-the-franchise, Ryan Zimmerman.
According to The Washington Post, Fauci grew up a Yankees fan but started rooting for the Nats after the team arrived in 2005.
The Nationals are now back in training as they prepare for a season like no other — Major League Baseball shortened the season to 60 games, with no fans and other safety precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
And the Nats’ road back to the baseball diamond hasn’t been smooth for the reigning World Series champions. Two players tested positive for the virus during a round of intake testing, and the team canceled a day of training camp because of delayed test results.
Zimmerman, and pitcher Joe Ross also opted out of playing this season, due to concerns about the coronavirus.
Teams, meanwhile, have started to play exhibition games — and the Nats have gotten off to a rocky start. The team lost 7-2 to the Philadelphia Phillies, where ex-National Bryce Harper hit a home run.
Fauci, member of the White House’s coronavirus task force, has repeatedly expressed concerns about the Trump administration’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, most recently raising alarm bells at the White House’s plan to reopen schools. He has also called on officials to mandate that masks be worn in public places.
We’ll have to wait and see whether Fauci is sporting his classic Nationals mask when he takes the field this Thursday.
