Presidents & Baseball

Gallery

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This misdated black and white photograph is of President William Howard Taft throwing out the Opening Day first pitch on April 14, 1910, at National Park in Washington, D.C. The Washington Senators went on to defeat the Philadelphia Athletics, 3-0.
Library of Congress
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Members of the 1916 New York Yankees outside the West Wing.
Library of Congress
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President Woodrow Wilson throws the Opening Day first pitch on April 20, 1916, at National Park, Washington, D.C. The Washington Senators went on to defeat the New York Yankees, 12-4.
Library of Congress
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During the 1920 presidential election, the major news story was Babe Ruth's successful first season with the New York Yankees.
Clifford Berryman, 1920 / National Archives and Records Administration
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President Warren G. Harding attends a game at Yankee Stadium, New York City, on April 24, 1923. The New York Yankees defeated the Washington Senators, 4-0.
Library of Congress
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President Calvin Coolidge throws the ceremonial first pitch at game three of the 1925 World Series at Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C. The Senators defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates, 4-3, but lost the championship series 4-3.
Library of Congress
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Members of the 1925 Washington Senators with President Calvin Coolidge at the White House on September 28, 1925. The Senators had won the American League pennant and were preparing to face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Series. The previous year, the Senators had won the 1924 World Series over the New York Giants. The visit marked the first time a reigning champion professional sports team visited the White House.
Library of Congress
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President Harry S. Truman prepares to throw the Opening Day first pitch at Griffith Stadium on April 19, 1948. Clark Griffith, President of the Washington Senators, stands next to President Truman. The visiting New York Yankees went on to defeat the Washington Senators, 12-4.
Harry S. Truman Presidential Library
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Retired New York Yankee Joe DiMaggio, boxer Rocky Marciano, and other professional athletes visit President Dwight Eisenhower at the White House on June 5, 1953.
National Archives and Records Administration
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President John F. Kennedy throws out the Opening Day first pitch of the baseball season on April 10, 1961, at Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C. The visiting Chicago White Sox went on to defeat the Washington Senators, 4-3.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum / NARA
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President Richard Nixon throws out the Opening Day first pitch of the baseball season on April 7, 1969, at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. The visiting New York Yankees went on to defeat the Washington Senators, 4-3.
Richard Nixon Presidential Library/NARA
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President Gerald Ford prepares to throw the ceremonial first pitch from the Field Box at the Major League Baseball All-Stars Game on July 13, 1976, at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Philadelphia. The National League All-Stars defeated the American League All-Stars, 7-1.
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library/NARA
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Baseball legend Willie Mays greets Queen Elizabeth II at the White House State Dinner held in her honor by President Gerald Ford and First Lady Betty Ford on July 7, 1976.
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
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President Ronald Reagan throws out the first pitch at a baseball game at Wrigley Field in Chicago on September 30, 1988. The visiting Pittsburgh Pirates went on to defeat the Chicago Cubs, 10-9.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
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President George H. W. Bush with grandson, George P. Bush, throws the Opening Day first pitch on April 6, 1992, at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. The Baltimore Orioles went on to defeat the Cleveland Indians, 2-0.
George Bush Presidential Library and Museum
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President William J. Clinton throws the Opening Day first pitch on April 2, 1996, at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. The Baltimore Orioles went on to defeat the Kansas City Royals, 4-2.
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President George W. Bush and Cal Ripken, Jr., enjoy the White House Tee Ball season opener on the South Lawn on May 5, 2002.
George W. Bush Presidential Library
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President Barack Obama throws out the Opening Day first pitch at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on April 5, 2010. The visiting Philadelphia Phillies went on to defeat the Washington Nationals, 11-1.
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

About this Gallery

On April 5, 2010, President Barack Obama threw out the ceremonial Opening Day first pitch at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., continuing a tradition that started over 100 years ago. President William Howard Taft began the custom on April 14, 1910, at National Park, Washington, D.C.