Senior Circuit
Baseball as Patriotism and Pride
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Source: www.baseballhalloffame.org
illiam Howard Taft was never scouted by the major leagues. But President Taft’s toss to Walter Johnson in 1910 made baseball history nonetheless, launching a new presidential tradition: the Opening Day first pitch. The president’s annual appearance at the start of each season symbolically renews the bonds that unite the country, its leaders, and the game - a ceremonial springtime rebirth as America’s National Pastime. For presidents, baseball offers a welcome connection to a wholesome, all-American image. Baseball and the American presidency have had a long history together. Since baseball’s inception in the mid-19th century, Presidents have been involved with the National Pastime in many ways, by participating, watching or supporting. As far back as 1860, associations between Presidents and baseball appeared in print and illustration. Since 1910, Presidents have ceremoniously rung in the new baseball year by throwing out the first pitch on Opening Day, providing official sanction to the beginning of the season. In addition, for more than a century, U.S. Presidents have also taken time from their busy scheduled to attend other games, from amateur sandlot contests near the White House to All-Star and World Series games. 1937—FDR is the first President to attend the mid-season All-Star Game, which takes place at Griffith Stadium in Washington. Baseball and the 1930s—Future President Ronald Reagan is the first and only President to make a career of baseball broadcasting. He does radio Presidents in 19th Century America re-creations for station WHO in Des Moines, Iowa. George Washington and John Adams played ball and bat games as 1945—President Harry Truman attends his first Opening Day and kids, probably rounders and other games derived from it. Washington the first of his record 16 major league games while in office. and his men even played ball-type games during the Revolutionary War. Abraham Lincoln has also been connected to baseball, both pic1948—As first baseman and captain of the Yale varsity baseball team, torially and through myths and legend. An 1860 Currier and Ives litho George H.W. Bush leads his squad into the NCAA finals against shows President Lincoln and his three opponents in the 1860 presithe University of Southern California. dential election: John Bell, Stephen Douglas, and John Breckinridge 1948—Harry Truman becomes the first President to attend a night debating the rules of baseball. By 1860, the game’s terminology was game, an 8-1 Yankees victory over the Senators in Washington. so much a part of everyday language that the candidates’ platforms 1950—President Truman, who is ambidextrous, throws out two were explained with baseball metaphors. Lincoln was known to have Opening Day pitches in Washington, one with each hand. played in baseball games while at the White House. One tall tale even states that Lincoln was busy playing baseball in Springfield, Illinois, 1952—Truman is the first President to attend a baseball game on when he received word that he had won the Republican nomination July Fourth. for President in 1860. 1962—President John F. Kennedy christens the new D.C. Stadium in Washington on Opening Day. The Stadium is renamed Robert F. A Presidential Timeline Kennedy Memorial Stadium after the assassination of his younger 1866—Andrew Johnson is the first President to attend an intercity brother in 1968. baseball game. He also hosted three amateur teams at the White 1965—Lyndon Johnson is the first President to attend an indoor House during his tenure, another first. major league game when he is present at an exhibition game between 1883—On April 13, Chester Arthur is the first President to receive the Yankees and Astros at the Astrodome on April 9. a major league team (Cleveland Blues) at the White House, telling 1970—Richard Nixon tosses out the first pitch in Cincinnati at the them, “Good ballplayers make good citizens.” first All-Star Game played at night. 1883—On May 1, former President Ulysses S. Grant watches the 1979—President Jimmy Carter’s presence at Game Seven of the first major league game at New York City’s Polo Grounds. With at1979 World Series in Baltimore between the Orioles and the Pittstendance estimated at 15,000, it is the largest crowd in New York burgh Pirates marks his only appearance at a major league game baseball history to that point. during his term in office. 1892—Benjamin Harrison becomes the first President to attend a (If this is the only game he attended, who threw out the major league game when Cincinnati beats Washington on June 6. opening day game balls during his presidency?) 1910—William Howard Taft is the first President to inaugurate the 1992—President Bush attends the first game played in Oriole Park baseball season by throwing out the Opening Day pitch in Washington. at Camden Yards in Baltimore and throws out the first pitch. 1915—Woodrow Wilson attends Game two of the World Series 1994—President Clinton tosses out the first pitch at Cleveland’s between Boston and Philadelphia, becoming the first President to new Jacobs Field on Opening Day. attend the Fall Classic. 2001—President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush host 1931—Herbert Hoover makes an appearance at the World Series a series of tee ball games for children on the South Lawn of the White and is heartily booed. The Depression-era fans chant, “We want beer!” House. in reference to Prohibition. 2001—President George W. Bush throws out the first pitch at Game 1933—FDR throws out the first of his record eight Opening Day Three of the 2001 World Series at Yankee Stadium, weeks after the tosses in Washington. September 11 attacks.
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