Nationals Principal Owner Mark Lernergetty images
President Trump is expected to attend Game 5 of the World Series tonight at Nationals Park, and Nationals Principal Owner Mark Lerner said Trump "has every right to come" if he wants to. Lerner: "He's the president of the United States whether you like him or not. It's a special event. He should be at it." Lerner said that the team decided that Trump "will not throw out the first pitch at Game 5." Instead, the Nationals "tabbed local chef and philanthropist Jose Andres, a vocal Trump critic." Lerner said that Trump will "sit among league officials as opposed to Nationals executives." MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred "insisted the league spoke with Trump regarding a ceremonial first pitch, and that Trump declined in order to ease the flow of fans entering the park." Manfred said that Trump will "arrive after Game 5 begins" (WASHINGTON POST, 10/26). Tonight will mark Trump's "first time attending a major league game as president" (AP, 10/27).
Sources said that attending Game 5 was "Trump's idea." His staff connected with MLB, which then "coordinated with the Nationals." Manfred yesterday afternoon at Trump National Golf Club "played golf with Trump" and U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and David Perdue (R-Ga.). The Nationals are "accustomed to high-profile visitors," but a visit from the president "requires far more planning." The past few days have "included coordination among the Nationals, league officials and the White House advance staff to plan" for Trump's visit. The Nationals have "already announced that they will open the gates" today at 4:00pm ET, an "hour earlier than usual, for a first pitch scheduled for a little after" 8:00pm (WASHINGTON POST, 10/27).
When President George W. Bush threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 3 of the World Series in '01, soon after the 9/11 attacks, his appearance provided an "emotional moment for baseball and the country." However, a Trump appearance tonight "will do just the opposite." Trump's presence "likely will be more discussed than the game, even if he were to stay for only a couple of hours or three innings, whichever comes first" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 10/27).
