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President Donald Trump cancels planned first pitch at Yankee Stadium

President Donald Trump cancels planned first pitch at Yankee Stadium
Posted at 7:50 AM, Jul 27, 2020
and last updated 2020-07-27 08:50:13-04

NEW YORK — President Donald Trump has canceled an Aug. 15 appearance at a New York Yankees game where he was slated to throw a ceremonial first pitch.

Trump said he planned to reschedule the event for later in the season.

"Because of my strong focus on the China Virus, including scheduled meetings on Vaccines, our economy and much else, I won't be able to be in New York to throw out the opening pitch for the @Yankees on August 15th," he tweeted.

Infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci threw out the ceremonial first pitch in the first game of the season between the world champion-Nationals and the Yankees in Washington on Thursday.

Trump celebrated baseball's Opening Day last Thursday with former Yankee closer and Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera, who made an appearance at a White House press briefing.

The return of sports is "a tremendous thing psychologically for our country," Rivera said.

Later on Thursday, Trump and Rivera joined Little League players on the White House lawn for a catch.

This story was originally published by Aliza Chasan on WPIX in New York City.