The Washington Nationals on Friday announced that local chef and vocal President Trump critic José Andrés will throw out the first pitch if there is a Game 5 of the World Series.
The president could be in attendance to see Andrés throw the first pitch. Trump told reporters Thursday that he plans to attend Game 5 if it is needed, joking that he would need “a lot of heavy armor” if he was to throw out the first pitch.
{mosads}The team lauded the chef for his organization, World Central Kitchen, which Andrés has mobilized to feed large groups of people including those affected by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and furloughed workers in Washington, D.C.
In a tweet, Andrés said he was humbled by the honor, but hopes he does not get the chance to throw the pitch because he would like to see the Nationals wrap the series up by winning Game 3 and Game 4 on Friday and Saturday, respectively. The Nationals currently lead the series against the Houston Astros 2–0.
Trump has feuded with Andrés for years after the chef canceled his planned restaurant in the president’s D.C. hotel in 2016 following Trump’s controversial speech announcing his presidential candidacy.
In 2017, the Trump Organization settled a legal battle with Andrés over the canceled restaurant.
The Nationals also announced that Chad Cordero and Brian Schneider of the 2005 Nationals team and a scholar-athlete from the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy are scheduled to throw out the first pitches during the third and fourth games of the series.
Updated at 9:44 a.m.