Yanks, Nats kneel in Black Lives Matter salute; Fauci's toss

Nationals and Yankees knelt in unison before first game of baseball season as part of an opening day ceremony Thursday night that featured references to Black Lives Matter movement, coronavirus pandemic -- including an off--mark first pitch by Dr. Anthony Fauci -- and home team’s 2019 championship.

Players from both clubs wore T-shirts saying Black Lives Matter during batting practice, and letters “BLM” were stenciled into back of mound at center of diamond.

In a poignant reference to racial reckoning happening in U.S., players and or members of both teams held a long black ribbon while standing d out along two foul lines. After y placed ribbon on ground, everyone n got on ir knees.

y all n rose for a taped performance of national anm.

That followed a series of videos: about Black Lives Matter, showing major league players such as New York’s Aaron Judge and Washington’s Howie Kendrick; about Nationals’ postseason run; about COVID-19 outbreak.

Without any spectators present to appreciate celebrations, flags ting franchise’s first title were raised beyond right field and above scoreboard, and “2019 World Champions” was written on a red mat that was wrapped around batter’s boxes during pregame introductions.

Fauci, country’s top infectious disease expert, was invited by Nationals to throw out ceremonial first pitch -- a fitting choice during current medical crisis. Wearing a mask on mound, Fauci sent his toss well wide of home plate, and ball bounced past his “catcher,” Washington reliever Sean Doolittle.

Afterward, Fauci and Doolittle tapped gloves, inste of shaking hands.

Im credits: AP