When President George W. Bush threw out the first pitch at the 2001
World Series, the moment not only continued a Presidential tradition,
but it symbolized America's desire to continue life undeterred after the
attacks of September 11, 2001.
President George W. Bush's love of baseball began during his childhood
in Midland, Texas, where he played Little League Baseball and dreamed of
following in the footsteps of baseball great, Willie Mays. President
Bush's love of the game continued. Before serving as President of the
United States and Governor of Texas, President Bush was a managing
partner for the Major League Baseball Team, the Texas Rangers. President
Bush's life-long affection for the game led him to open the South Lawn
of the White House to t-ball players in the Spring of 2001. The White
House t-ball tradition is continuing this spring as children learn the
great lessons of team sports: following the rules, respecting other
players, and supporting teammates.
From throwing to catching and fielding to batting, America's Presidents
have long enjoyed playing or watching a good game of baseball.
A
soldier's diary reveals that George Washington and his men played an
early version of baseball called "rounders" on the fields of Valley
Forge. History records that John Adams played bat and ball and
Andrew Jackson played a similar game of baseball called one old cat.
Abraham Lincoln's love of the game was so well known that an 1860
political cartoon showed Lincoln and his opponents on a baseball
diamond.
Andrew Johnson, Lincoln's successor, was so thrilled to be invited to
see the first game played among teams from different states, that he
gave his White House staff time off from work to go to the game. Johnson
set up chairs for his staff along the first base line of the White Lot,
an area located between the South Lawn of the White House and an
incomplete Washington Monument that stood only 152 feet tall. Today, the
area is called the Ellipse, and energetic federal staffers play
softball games on the grounds each spring in the shadows of the
towering, 555-foot Washington Monument.
Ulysses S. Grant was President when the National League was formed in
1876, but Benjamin Harrison became the first President to attend a major
league game when he saw Cincinnati beat Washington 7-4 on June 6, 1892.
The
20th Century ushered in a Presidential and baseball tradition: throwing
out the first ball. William Howard Taft was the first President to do
the honors when he threw a ball from his seat in the stands to the
Washington Senator's opening day pitcher, Walter Johnson, on April 14,
1910. Nearly all Presidents since Taft have followed this pitching
tradition.
Woodrow Wilson turned a few heads when he brought Edith Gault to the
World Series. The event was the first public appearance of the couple
since announcing their engagement. The following spring, Wilson threw
out the first pitch on opening day with Mrs. Wilson at his side.
Franklin
Roosevelt made a significant decision when he encouraged Major League
Baseball to continue playing ball during World War II. Roosevelt knew
that continuing this popular past-time during wartime would boost the
spirits of the American people.
Ronald Reagan so loved the game that he worked as a radio announcer for
the Chicago Cubs. His success gave him the opportunity to go into
acting, where he once played the part of a pitcher in the movie, The
Winning Team.
From George Washington to George W. Bush, Presidents over the years have
shown their love of the game and baseball has loved their
highest-ranking fan.
Fun Baseball Facts:
How does Barry Bonds hit the ball so far? It's science! When the bat
hits the ball, the bat exchanges momentum with the ball and the ball
takes off. The faster the bat is swung, the harder it hits the ball and
the harder the bat hits the ball, the faster and further the ball goes.
So if you want to hit like Barry, pump up those arm muscles and take
some practice swings!
There are exactly 108 stitches on a baseball.
In 1974, girls started playing on Little League teams.
A major league pitcher can throw a baseball up to 95 miles an hour:
which takes less than 1/2 second for the ball to cross the plate.