President Biden won't throw 1st pitch on Opening Day

President Joe Biden will not throw the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day at Nationals Park on Thursday, a team spokesperson told Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post.

No reason was provided as to why Biden declined the invitation, which the Nationals extended in November while the 78-year-old was still the president-elect.

"We look forward to welcoming President Biden to Nationals Park in the future," the spokesperson told Janes.

Biden last threw a ceremonial first pitch in 2009 as vice president before the Baltimore Orioles played the New York Yankees on Opening Day at Camden Yards.

William Howard Taft began the tradition of presidents throwing the first pitch in Washington in 1910. Since then, every sitting president except Donald Trump has tossed the ceremonial pitch while Washington's had a major-league team.