Dr. Anthony Fauci, a huge Washington Nationals fan, had the honor of throwing the first pitch Thursday night for the Opening Day game against the New York Yankees, but it turned out to be a complete disaster. While he was at least spared a live reaction from a crowd, social media users and sports commentators more than made up for it.
Just a bit outside Dr. Fauci ?? #OpeningDay pic.twitter.com/FGATQKT6PY
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 23, 2020
He socially distanced the baseball from the catcher.
— Dylan Copeland (@DylanCopeland7) July 23, 2020
About as accurate as his predictions
— £van (@PME2717) July 23, 2020
He throws like his political agenda... to the left!
— Lincoln Thomas (@BigBodyBurb) July 23, 2020
“I’m speechless, Carl. I’m speechless.” ?? https://t.co/oGOvJB48nR
— Dave’s Twitty Life (@davestwittylife) July 24, 2020
In announcing their invitation to throw the pitch, the Nationals said they were “thrilled” Fauci accepted.
“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,” a statement read.
Fauci's pitch wasn't the only newsworthy part of the game. Every single player took a knee before the anthem as part of a nod to the Black Lives Matter movement.
Every player and coach on the Yankees & Nationals took a knee before the national anthem tonight in D.C.
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 23, 2020
(via @MarkZuckerman)pic.twitter.com/PrPKv4Gs1Z
Players from both clubs wore T-shirts saying Black Lives Matter during batting practice, and the letters “BLM” were stenciled into the back of the mound at the center of the diamond.
In a poignant reference to the racial reckoning happening in the U.S., players and other members of both teams held a long black ribbon while standing spaced out along the two foul lines. After they placed the ribbon on the ground, everyone then got on their knees.
They all then rose for a taped performance of the national anthem.
That followed a series of videos: about Black Lives Matter, showing major league players such as New York’s Aaron Judge and Washington’s Howie Kendrick; about the Nationals’ postseason run; about the COVID-19 outbreak. (FoxNews.com)