WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump decided not to take the mound after all.
The president tweeted Sunday that he is canceling his scheduled date to throw out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium next month, citing that his “strong focus” on the coronavirus, vaccines and the economy take precedence.
“Because of my strong focus on the China virus, including scheduled meetings on vaccines, our economy and much else, I won’t be able to be in New York to throw out the opening pitch for the @Yankees on August 15th,” Trump tweeted. “We will make it later in the season!”
The president announced during a briefing on Thursday that he would travel to Yankee Stadium on Aug. 15 to throw out the ceremonial first pitch when New York faces the Boston Red Sox, NorthJersey.com reported.
Thursday was opening day for major league baseball, coming nearly four months after it was originally scheduled to be played. The coronavirus had pushed the games back, and MLB began a truncated 60-game series on Thursday.
“(Yankees team president) Randy Levine’s a great friend of mine from the Yankees,” Trump said Thursday. “He asked me to throw out the first pitch ... It’s going to be interesting.”
After the White House briefing, Trump had a photo opportunity, playing catch on the South Lawn with Mariano Rivera, the former Yankees closer who became the first player to be elected to the Hall of Fame with a unanimous vote. Rivera has been a vocal supporter of the president, and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Trump last September.
“I’ve never seen a pitcher throw the ball where so many bats were broken as Mariano,” Trump said Thursday. “He’s got the all-time record.”
A group of Little Leaguers also participated, Politico reported.