Dr. Fauci creates itchy feeling with post-pandemic-pause first pitch
Posted July 24, 2020 12:10 pm.
Last Updated July 24, 2020 5:48 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Dr. Anthony Fauci proved to be more belly-itcher than pitcher.
The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases who led the United State’s response to the coronavirus did his best to flatten the curve in Washington on Thursday, spiking his attempt at the ceremonial first pitch to start the 2020 MLB season.
Known also for his contentious relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, Fauci was asked to throw out the first pitch between the host Washington Nationals and New York Yankees as they kicked off the 60-game season, shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fauci, dressed in a Nationals hat, jersey and face mask, threw from the front of the mound, and not only spiked his throw into the infield grass, but hooked it toward the first-base dugout.
“It went in the wrong direction. I joked around after and said I used to be a shortstop when I played ball as a young boy and I thought I was supposed to throw to first base,” Fauci told the Washington Post.
Jokes of Fauci’s first pitch followed all over Twitter.
“I will give Dr. Anthony Fauci some credit here, he did follow social distancing by ensuring the ball was six feet away from the mound,” tweets Dr. David Samadi.
“Juuuuust a bit outside,” writes CMUBrent, referencing the famous line by Bob Uecker from the movie Major League.
“Trump is not going to like that he threw it to the left!” says Greg Yarker.
“He throws like a Doctor,” adds Duncan Crear.
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“We are grateful to him and all the courageous frontline workers and healthcare heroes who continue to keep us safe and made our return possible,” MLB tweets about Fauci.
He joins a host of other notable and notorious first pitches, including those by rapper 50 Cent and singer Mariah Carey.
