WASHINGTON D.C (VINnews) – Former Major League Baseball pitcher Noah Syndergaard said meeting President Trump was a “dream come true” and expressed bafflement at the negativity directed at the president, following an Oval Office event Tuesday promoting youth fitness.

Syndergaard, known as “Thor” during his standout years with the New York Mets, joined other athletes at the White House as Trump reinstated elements of the Presidential Physical Fitness Award aimed at encouraging physical activity in schools.

“I’ve always been a huge fan of President Trump and I met him for the first time today!” Syndergaard said. “I just really don’t quite understand the negativity or the pessimism he gets with the media and some of the population of this nation — because he’s just such a patriotic guy and he cares so much about everybody and just the health of this nation and the health of this world.”

The event included interactions with young athletes on the White House lawn, where participants engaged in basketball, pull-ups and other activities.

“It’s important to be healthy and to be active and get out and compete and just expose yourself to as many sports and activities as you possibly can,” Syndergaard said. “Just the interaction I had with all the kids today, getting able to throw a couple of basketballs, do some pull-ups, just get out in the sunshine and the White House lawn was just an amazing experience.”

Trump introduced Syndergaard during the ceremony, noting his imposing physique and nickname. The former right-hander pitched for several teams including the Mets, Los Angeles Angels and Philadelphia Phillies before retiring.

The gathering highlighted Trump’s push to revive annual fitness testing in American schools. Syndergaard’s comments were made in a post-event interview.