President Biden will not throw the ceremonial first pitch on Thursday’s opening day at Nationals Park, a team spokesperson confirmed.
“We look forward to welcoming President Biden to Nationals Park in the future,” a team spokesperson told The Washington Post, which first reported the news. A reason for why Biden will not throw the first pitch wasn’t provided.
A team spokesperson told the Washington Times a decision on who will throw Thursday’s first pitch will be released at a later time.
The tradition of presidents throwing out the first pitch began with President William Howard Taft in 1910, appearing at opening day for the Washington Senators at Griffith Stadium. Apart from President Donald Trump, every president has thrown out a first pitch during their term in office while Washington has had a professional baseball team.
In July 2020, Trump unexpectedly announced he would throw a first pitch at Yankee Stadium that August. Trump later canceled that first pitch.
Biden last threw a first pitch in April 2009 at a Baltimore Orioles game, when he was vice president. The Nationals had invited Biden to throw Thursday’s ceremonial first pitch in November, shortly after the election was called in Biden’s favor.
• Andy Kostka can be reached at akostka@washingtontimes.com.
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