Director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci is see with a Washington Nationals face mask when he arrives to testify during the US Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing to examine COVID-19, ‘focusing on lessons learned to prepare for the next pandemic’, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on June 23, 2020. (Photo by KEVIN DIETSCH / various sources / AFP) (Photo by KEVIN DIETSCH/AFP via Getty Images)
Top U.S. infectious disease expert and Washington Nationals fan Dr. Anthony Fauci will throw out the team's ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day this Thursday.
The Nats announced Monday that the “superfan” will do the honors.
“Dr. Fauci has been a true champion for our country during the Covid-19 pandemic and throughout his distinguished career, so it is only fitting that we honor him as we kick off the 2020 season and defend our World Series Championship title,” the Nats said in a statement.
Fauci wore a face mask with Nats logos to a congressional hearing last month.
He said in April that he wanted to see the team play again soon.
"I think you'll probably get enough buy-in from people who are dying to see a baseball game, particularly me. I’m living in Washington, we have the world champion Washington Nationals. I want to see them play again,” he said, according to NBC Sports Washington.
The Nationals will host the New York Yankees to open the season nearly four months after it originally was scheduled to begin. Spring training was halted in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Teams resumed preparing to play this month and will play without fans in the stands.
Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.
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Fans cheer for the team as they pass. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
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Washington Nationals fans give a big thank you to their home team. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
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Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo kisses the World Series trophy in front of cheering fans. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
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A sea of fans wearing red wait for the start of the parade. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
@AimeeCho4, WRC-TV
Dad and daughter duo show their support for the Nats.
@bforte22, WRC-TV
The Nationals will celebrate their World Series win on Saturday with a victory parade and rally in downtown D.C. The parade begins at 2 p.m., and crowds were definitely gathering early. (Want to share your photos? Email them to isee@nbcwashington.com or tweet them @nbcwashington.)
@Danny_Favret, WRC-TV
Danny Favret tweets: "From Harper to Sharker, gotta give him credit for that! #Nationals #NatsParade"
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A fan waves a Washington Nationals flag above the crowd's heads. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds/Getty Images)
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Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez, left, and general manager Mike Rizzo, right, pose with Sidney Walton, age 100, after showing him the World Series and NLCS trophies. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
@bforte22, WRC-TV
Fans began lining up hours before the parade began.
@Danny_Favret, WRC-TV
The "Budlight Guy" double-fists his beers while celebrating on his own bus in the Nationals' Victory Parade. A true hero!
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Red confetti rains down as the crowd erupts in cheers. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds/Getty Images)
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Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer signs autographs for some lucky fans. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
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Fans cheer as Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman holds up the World Series trophy. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
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A bird's eye view shows the full expanse of the parade. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
@AimeeCho4, WRC-TV
Two hours before the parade, fans were already staking out their spots downtown.
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Washington Nationals second baseman Howie Kendrick gives fans a thumbs up. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
@patcollins4, WRC-TV
Pat Collins is proudly donning the Nats cowboy hat he got signed by Ryan Zimmerman down in Houston.
@dckerNBC4, WRC-TV
We can't say it enough: #FightFinished.
@JulieCareyNBC
Julie Carey tweets: "I thought I was only insanely jealous of @patcollins4 Ryan Zimmerman signed hat but now I see he also picked up some cowboy boots in Texas!"
@SherreeBurruss, WRC-TV
One fan donned an old Bryce Harper jersey with a little additional message on it: "Thank you for bringing the title back to DC!! :)"
@JoeBpXp, WRC-TV
Fans gathered in wait for the start of the Nats parade.
@dckerNBC4, WRC-TV
Now that's a way to ride in style.
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We finished the fight! (Photo by Stefani Reynolds/Getty Images)
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He popped the question, and she said yes! Fans cheer for the happy couple as they look on. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds/Getty Images)
Two kids don homemade racing presidents costumes, made by their talented mom.
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A young fan shows off his vuvuzela skills. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds/Getty Images)
@NBCSports4, WRC-TV
This fan took shark-themed costuming to the next level!
@SherreeBurruss, WRC-TV
Brooke and her dad Max Scherzer jam to baby shark from the top of their party bus.
@bforte22, WRC-TV
NBC Washington's Pat Collins and DC Police Chief Peter Newsham have a vuvuzela-off.
@bforte22, WRC-TV
President Teddy Roosevelt makes a surprise appearance at the Nats parade.
@chrisgordonnews
Fans are ready at 3rd & Penn!
Jacob Wallace
Some fans found creative ways to repurpose their old Harper jerseys to celebrate current players.
Jacob Wallace
In his speech, Howie Kendrick said he nearly retired before coming to the Nationals, but "this city taught me to love baseball again."
Jacob Wallace
Players from the Falls Church Kiwanis Little League warm up prior to entering the Parade of Champions
Jacob Wallace
Dr. Tenia Pritchard, principal of Excel Academy, greets Ketcham Elementary Principal Maisha Riddlesprigger as their students get ready for the parade.
Jacob Wallace
Teddy, the good luck charm who won many of the races at Nats Park this postseason, bikes his way through the paraden
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A four-legged fan faithfully stands by during the post-parade rally.
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One fan wasn't afraid to get wild as he donned his wavy inflatable arm man costume
Jacob Wallace
Jamie, a longtime Nats fan, said his fan Leroy is good with arts and crafts and made this jacket special for him.nn
