President Trump said Sunday that he will not launch the opening pitch at Yankee Stadium as scheduled next month, citing his busy schedule.
“Due to my strong focus on the China Virus, including scheduled meetings on Vaccines, our economy, and much more, I will not be able to be in New York to launch the opening launch of @Yankees on August 15th. We will do it later in the season! Trump tweeted.
The cancellation comes after Trump announced from the White House briefing room last week that he would launch the opening pitch when the Boston Red Sox play the Yankees.
Trump told reporters about the honor shortly before White House coronavirus task force member Anthony Fauci launched the opening pitch Thursday for a Yankees game against the Nationals in DC.
Yankees legend Mariano Rivera was in the White House when Trump announced his plans to throw the field next month.
Fauci, who is hailed by Trump critics for his willingness to criticize the U.S. coronavirus response, greatly missed the dish and detractors cheerfully shared the footage.
Trump has yet to deliver an opening speech as president. But a video clip posted by Rivera’s White House visit shows the president catching and throwing a ball with the Baseball Hall of Fame member.
On Thursday, Trump said that his friend Randy Levine, president of the New York Yankees, invited him to throw the field on August 15.
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