Joe Biden, projected winner of the U.S. Presidential Election in 2020. /CFP
The Washington Nationals will invite Joe Biden, projected winner of the U.S. Presidential Election, to toss out the ceremonial first ball for the team on the opening day of the 2021 MLB season.
The Nationals will meet the New York Mets at Nationals Park on April 1 on April 1, 2021.
"We're excited to continue the long-standing tradition of sitting Presidents throwing out the first pitch at the home of the national pastime in our nation's capital," posted the Nationals on Twitter.
Biden used to play in the Little League first as a shortstop and then a center. He's a tall right-hander and the last time he pitched for opening day in 2009 (as vice president to Barack Obama), he threw a high fastball that brought Chad Moeller, catcher of the Baltimore Orioles, out of his crouch before the game against the New York Yankees at Camden Yards.
Joe Biden, Vice President of the U.S. throws the first pitch before the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland, April 6, 2009. /CFP
Biden's connection to the majors league was bigger than just making the first pitch as a celebrity. He was spotted attending the playoff games of the Philadelphia Phillies several times, including the World Series in 2009. He also visited the Yankees at spring training.
The tradition of presidents throwing out the first pitch in Washington was started by the 27th U.S. President William Taft in 1910. Since then, every POTUS followed it when Washington had a major league franchise, with only one exception: Donald Trump.
In last year's World Series between the Nationals and the Houston Astros, Trump attended Game 5 at Nationals Park. When he was being introduced, fans booed him hard.