Fauci says he hopes he gets another chance to throw out Nationals first pitch after ’embarrassing’ first try

Top infectious diseases expert Anthony Fauci said on Wednesday in an interview with JAMA that he wants another chance to throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Washington Nationals after his first try didn’t go as planned. 

JAMA Editor-in-Chief Howard Bauchner said Fauci “should get a redo” after his attempt at a first pitch last year entirely missed home plate.

“I’m hoping they give me a chance to do that, Howard,” Fauci replied. “It was quite embarrassing.”

Live Q&A: Anthony Fauci returns to JAMA’s Q&A series to discuss emerging #SARSCoV2 genetic variants w implications for vaccine efficacy, prospects for new #COVID19 vaccine approvals, + more! #JAMALive https://t.co/ChrxfmQBsz

— JAMA (@JAMA_current) February 3, 2021

Fauci said he hopes fans will be allowed back to watch the Nats in person, calling attending games “one of the sources of my relaxation.”

The head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has been at the forefront of the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic since the beginning and has been honored with everything from bobbleheads to doughnuts named after him.

As part of the new Biden administration, Fauci has helped sound the alarm about emerging variants of the virus that may be more contagious, but he has said he is more optimistic about the trajectory of the pandemic now that vaccinations are beginning to rack up.