At Army-Navy game, Trump touts new pro sports option

President Donald Trump used his appearance at the annual Army-Navy football game to pitch to the players an administration policy change that clears the way for athletes at the nation's military academies to play professional sports after they graduate and delay their active-duty service.

To cheers in each locker room before the 120th playing of the game, he said he was giving those athletes with pro potential the chance ``to make a fortune and after you're all finished with your professional career, you'll go and you'll serve and everybody's thrilled.''

Turning to Army's coach, Jeff Monken, the president joked, ``It probably gives the coach no reason to ever lose another game.''

President Donald Trump waits for the coin toss before the start of the Army-Navy college football game in Philadelphia, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019. (AP PhotoJacquelyn Martin)

A memo signed in November by Defense Secretary Mark Esper spelled out the new guidelines. It said the athletes must get approval from the Pentagon chief and it requires them to eventually fulfill their military obligation or repay the costs of their education. The Obama administration put a policy in place allowing some athletes to go to the pros and defer their military service.

In the Navy locker room, he congratulated the favored Midshipmen on ``a hell of a season,'' but added, ``You know, it's only a great season, you know it has to happen today, otherwise you wouldn't call it a great season. So you better go out there and play hard.''

With impeachment looming in Washington, Trump made the day trip to Philadelphia for the second year in a row for the storied game. Trump, who also went in 2016 as president-elect, is the 10th commander in chief to attend the contest.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Army player Cole Christiansen in Philadelphia, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, before the Army-Navy college football game. (AP PhotoJacquelyn Martin)

In 2016, Army snapped Navy’s 14-game winning streak and has won three years in a row. But the Midshipmen entered Saturday’s game as a significant favorite. At 9-2, they ranked 23rd in the nation while Army’s Black Knights had a 5-7 record.

Trump was accompanied by Esper and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley. The president was on the field for the coin toss and planned to switch sides at halftime.

The crowd cheered as Trump walked off the field after the national anthem. He put on a Keep America Great hat.

President Donald Trump greets the Navy football team in Philadelphia, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, before the Army-Navy college football game. (AP PhotoJacquelyn Martin)

Trump has closely linked himself to the military, promoting increases in defense spending and overseas triumphs such as the October killing of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in Syria.

The game comes amid a renewed push by the White House to deliver moments that depict Trump governing — such as his visit to NATO in London last week and his successful lobbying for a new U.S.-Canada-Mexico trade deal — that it believes stands in stark contrast to the Democrats’ impeachment effort.

In the coming week, Trump is expected to become the third president impeached after the House votes on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

President Donald Trump stands for the Pledge of Allegiance before the start of the Army-Navy college football game in Philadelphia, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019. (AP PhotoJacquelyn Martin)

Trump also has drawn the ire of many in the Pentagon. He has clashed with military leadership on a number of fronts, including on pushes to withdraw some U.S. forces from the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula as well as his at times lackluster support for military alliances such as NATO. His first defense secretary, James Mattis, resigned last year over Trump’s decision to pull troops out from Syria.

Last month, Navy Secretary Richard Spencer was fired amid tensions between the Pentagon and the White House after Trump intervened to reverse sentences against three service members accused of committing war crimes.

Trump ignored Pentagon leaders who had told him such a move could damage the integrity of the military judicial system, the ability of military commanders to ensure good order and discipline, and the confidence of U.S. allies and partners who host U.S. troops.

President Donald Trump holds his hand over his heart for the Pledge of Allegiance before the start of the Army-Navy college football game in Philadelphia, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019. (AP PhotoJacquelyn Martin)

Among the other presidents to attend the Army-Navy game are Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Gerald Ford and John F. Kennedy.

SEATTLE (AP) — Mitch Haniger hit a grand slam in the sixth inning, two batters after Arizona ace Zac Gallen left because of tightness in his right hamstring, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Diamondbacks 6-1 on Friday night.

Gallen (3-2) walked Josh Rojas to lead off the sixth, then was pulled in the middle of Julio Rodríguez’s subsequent at-bat.

“Just a right hamstring spasm and I think we really dodged a bullet,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “Credit him, it’s hard to pull back in those situations and understand what you body is feeling and call out your catcher. I think he’s hopefully going to be fine.”

Rodríguez went on to single off Scott McGough, and Cal Raleigh walked to load the bases for Haniger, who hammered a 389-foot shot to left-center on a full-count fastball.

“Honestly, just trying to get a ball in the air in the outfield, ” Haniger said. “Trying to hit a sac fly really, but obviously put a good swing on it and hit it hard as you can. 3-2, selling out for a fastball with nowhere to put me.”

Josh Rojas and Mitch Garver also homered for Seattle, and Emerson Hancock (3-2) threw six strong innings. Rojas homered on Gallen’s first pitch of the game, and Garver made it a 2-0 in the second.

Arizona’s Kevin Newman homered in the sixth, one of two hits allowed by Hancock. Trent Thornton and Cody Bolton combined for three scoreless innings in relief.

“Another outstanding starting pitching performance tonight,” manager Scott Servais said. “We are on a roll with our starters, really our whole pitching staff. They’ve just been outstanding here over the past couple of weeks.”

Mariners starters have gone 14 consecutive starts without allowing two or more earned runs, a franchise record.

“It’s special, I think everyone knows that,” Hancock said. “But I think for us, ... we’re always trying to get better. We really are. We’re trying to work, we want to just keep pushing, and each guy that goes out there, I feel like we have confidence he gives the team a good chance to win."

Gallen allowed three hits and three earned runs.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Diamondbacks: P Paul Sewald (oblique) was set to throw a bullpen Saturday and will most likely make another minor-league rehab appearance before making his return from the Injured List.

Mariners: Bryan Woo (elbow) will make his second rehab start Saturday at Triple-A Tacoma and will likely make one more before returning to the active roster … RHP Matt Brash (elbow) is throwing at 100% and was being examined Friday in Seattle to determine if he’ll go on a rehab assignment soon.

UP NEXT

Mariners right-hander George Kirby (2-2, 5.33 ERA) was scheduled to pitch Saturday against Diamondbacks right-hander Slade Cecconi (1-0, 3.00 ERA).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Seattle Mariners' Josh Rojas follows through on a solo home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, April 26, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Mariners' Josh Rojas (4) is greeted by Julio Rodríguez after Rojas hit a solo home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, April 26, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Eugenio Suárez, left, winks at Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, right, as he receives an ovation on deck during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, April 26, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen throws to a Seattle Mariners batter during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, April 26, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodríguez catches a fly ball from Arizona Diamondbacks' Gabriel Moreno during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 26, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Mariners catcher Seby Zavala, left, pours water into the mouth of Mitch Garver after Garver's solo home run during the second inning of the team's baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, April 26, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen leaves with a trainer as manager Torey Lovullo, right, stands on the mound during the sixth inning of the team's baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, April 26, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo, left, talks with starting pitcher Zac Gallen, who leaves the game with an injury, while catcher Gabriel Moreno, right, watches during the sixth inning of the team's baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, April 26, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodríguez (44) greets Mitch Haniger, who hit a grand slam against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 26, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)