Dr. Anthony Fauci is one of the top U.S. minds dedicated to controlling the spread of disease, not the direction of a fastball.
The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases showed why he never made it as a pitcher with his terrible first pitch before MLB's season opener between the Nationals and Yankees. In what was supposed to be an honor for his work during the COVID-19 pandemic, he instead became the butt of jokes.
Oh No Dr. Fauci pic.twitter.com/CiLQMPmCzX
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) July 23, 2020
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Fauci is a die-hard Nationals fan who has regularly donned a Washington-themed mask during the pandemic.
While his throw was off target, the ensuing humor on social media hit the mark:
Anthony Fauci, First Pitch (with tail). pic.twitter.com/PEKiLzCnN2
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 23, 2020
Fauci finally flattened the curve pic.twitter.com/I0zUwbl6OH
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) July 23, 2020
Dr Fauci’s #OpeningDay first pitch is a metaphor for 2020 pic.twitter.com/on8zSip91L
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 23, 2020
I’m not cracking any Dr. Fauci jokes because he could probably crack the Mets rotation right now
— Clem (@TheClemReport) July 23, 2020
Staying on brand, six feet from home plate https://t.co/bMmDQkKXo6
— Joe (@JoeRiveraSN) July 23, 2020
It’s all good Dr Fauci...you’ve been busy. No time for practice ⚾️
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) July 23, 2020
Dr. Fauci's fastball could use a little work.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 23, 2020