Dr. Anthony Fauci is slated to throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Washington Nationals at their season-opening game against the New York Yankees, it was announced Monday.
“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 team said in a release.
A statement from the Washington Nationals regarding Opening Day. pic.twitter.com/iejxXeAA4V
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 20, 2020
Fauci is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a leading figure in the nation’s fight against the COVID-19 outbreak as a member of the White House coronavirus task force. He is also known as a Nationals fan.
July 23’s home game will be the first since the team won the 2019 World Series. It will air on ESPN beginning at 7:08 pm.
The Major League Baseball (MLB) had delayed the start of the 2020 season due to the pandemic. The franchise’s new season will consist of 60 games, which will be the shortest since 1878.