Presidential Pastime

On May 1, former President Ulysses S. Grant watched the first big league game at New York City’s Polo Grounds. With attendance estimated at 15,000, it was the largest crowd in New York baseball history to that point.

Opening Day at the Polo Grounds, 1888.

On April 19, 1909, Major Archie Butt, a military aide, convinced Taft to attend a Washington Senators game. Butt thought that attending the game would help the President get his mind off business and relax. Taft loved it, spending the day dodging foul balls and sharing peanuts with his Vice President in the presidential box.

Baseball signed by William Taft and given to Walter Johnson.

Taft’s love for the game continued to grow, and he would become one of its biggest promoters. Not only did the President “believe in baseball,” but as the 1911 Spalding’s Official Base Ball Guide stated, Taft told “his friends that it is a pastime which is worth any man’s while, and advises them to banish the blues by going to a ball game…”

President Taft speaking with player-manager Clark Griffith.

Even before he assumed the presidency, avid sports fan Woodrow Wilson hinted to the Sporting News that he would be a frequent spectator at Washington Senators games. He added though, that he would pay for entrance to the game instead of taking advantage of his presidential season pass.

Woodrow Wilson at a 1913 Washington Senators game

Wilson attended Game 2 of the 1915 World Series between Boston and Philadelphia, becoming the first President to attend the Fall Classic. The Red Sox defeated the Phillies 2-1.

Wilson's pitch went high and wide. With the roaring approval of the crowd, the umpire presented the ball to Wilson, who in turn kept the ball safe in the pocket of his overcoat.

Although Wilson was a fan of the game, baseball suffered during his presidency, largely due to the World War I military draft. Playing baseball was declared a nonessential job, and therefore nonexempt from the draft. As a result, hundreds of players left to work on farms and factories or fight overseas, lessening the quality of play.

Furthermore, in 1918 the government called for a shortened baseball season. The season ended on Labor Day and was immediately followed by an accelerated World Series. Two months after the season ended, on November 11, 1918, World War I ended and the 1919 baseball season was saved.

The last baseball hit in that last game before World War I on Labor Day, 1918

Like many of his predecessors, President Harding was an avid baseball fan. Growing up in Ohio, Harding played youth league with Bob Allen, a future major league shortstop. The future President also managed, and at one point co-owned, the Little Rock baseball club of the Southern Association.

Harding tossing out a first pitch.

On April 24, 1923, Harding showed up unannounced at the New York Yankees’ new stadium to root for the Washington Senators. As it turns out, the president was able to witness the first shutout in Yankee Stadium, pitched by the Yankees’ Sam Jones. The President died in office four months later.

Harding shaking hands with Babe Ruth

After Harding died in office in 1923, his Vice President, Calvin Coolidge, assumed the presidency. Though Coolidge received the Republican nomination in 1924, members of the party were worried his taciturn personality would turn voters off. So, Silent Cal’s handlers decided to make him a baseball fan, hoping a few hours in Griffith Stadium’s presidential box would win some votes.

Baseball signed by Calvin Coolidge and the 1924 Washington Senators.

When the Washington Senators clinched the World Series in 1924, the President addressed the team, as well as 100,000 fans, on the White House lawn, congratulating them on their win.

Coolidge & the Washington Senators at the White House. Coolidge is in the second row wearing a black armband.

Throughout his presidency, Coolidge would throw out six first pitches, two of which were World Series games. He would also be the first president to attend a World Series opener.

President Hoover took his role of “First Fan” seriously, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the Washington Senators' Opening Day each of his four years in office.

President Hoover throwing out the first ball at Opening Day in Griffith Stadium on April 14, 1931.

Hoover was also present at Shibe Park in Philadelphia for the first game of the 1930 World Series. Ignoring the chilly weather, Hoover watched the game in a plain brown business suit sans topcoat.

Herbert Hoover at the 1930 World Series.

The heckling, however, couldn’t diminish Hoover’s appreciation for the game. He continued to watch games on television, and even threw out the first pitch at an Old Timers Game at Yankee Stadium when he was 86.

Connie Mack, Herbert Hoover, and Cy Young at Yankee Stadium in 1954.

Roosevelt, was an ardent fan who, as journalist Harold C. Burr put it, “enjoyed himself at a baseball game as much as a kid on Christmas morning.”

“Once in his right field box the present president believes again that there is Santa Claus. He gets right into the spirit of the game, munches peanuts, applauds good plays and chuckles over bad ones.”

President Roosevelt winds up for the ceremonial first pitch of the season at Griffith Stadium, April 19, 1937.

In 1937, on the night of the big league trading deadline, Washington Senators owner Clark Griffith jokingly stated that he "signed" Roosevelt to make the first pitch at the All-Star Game.
The New York Times remarked that FDR's pitch showed "marked lack of control, but considerable speed."

FDR would throw out a record eight Opening Day pitches throughout his presidency. Most were solid tosses, but unfortunately his 1940 Opening Day pitch ended up hitting a Washington Post camera.

Baseball autographed by President Roosevelt after throwing it out to open the 1940 season.

Roosevelt threw out his last Opening Day pitch on April 14, 1941. By the end of the year, the United States would enter World War II.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt throwing out the first pitch of the 1941 season at Griffith Stadium.

Six days after World War II officially ended, on September 8, 1945, President Harry Truman brought peace to the nation by throwing out the first pitch at Griffith Stadium. Truman’s appearance at the Stadium signaled a return to normalcy, both on and off the field. The President pitched two left-handed tosses that day, becoming the first southpaw to toss a pitch from the presidential box.

President Truman tossing at the first pitch of 1950.

During his seven and a half years in the White House, President Truman attended 16 baseball games, setting a record that he still holds today.

President Truman throwing out a pitch in 1947.

Truman’s interest in baseball did not stop once he left the White House. In April 1956, the former president sent Ford Frick, the Commissioner of Baseball, this telegram expressing his belief that baseball was more than just a sport.

Throughout his presidency, Eisenhower attended 13 games. He tossed out first pitches at seven of those games.

Eisenhower throwing out the first pitch of 1955 as Clark Griffith, Chuck Dressen, and Paul Richards look on.

The following year, on April 9, 1962, the President helped the Washington Senators open their brand new $23-million ballpark. The ballpark would be renamed for his younger brother, Robert, in 1969.

An image from the 1962 All-Star Game, hosted at RFK Stadium.

On April 9, 1965, President Johnson and the First Lady traveled to Houston to watch the first big league game at the Astrodome, the first indoor ballpark. The exhibition game between the Astros and New York Yankees marked the first dedication of a new stadium by a president.

Souvenir program from the 1965 exhibition series at the Astrodome. During the series, New York Yankee and Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle hit the Astrodome's first ever home run.

On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated and the baseball season was delayed in deference. Due to the delay, President Johnson missed the Senators' late home opener, and Hurbert Humphrey attended in his place.

Baseball autographed & thrown out by Johnson on April 13, 1964.

Though he managed to throw out the Opening Day pitch in 1964, 1965, and 1967, Johnson had little time for baseball during his presidency. The President was dealing with both the Vietnam War and civil unrest across the nation.

Johnson throwing out the first pitch at Opening Day, 1965.

Three years before being elected president, Richard Nixon was offered a different kind of job. With the retirement of Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in 1965, the owners offered the position, complete with a $100,000 salary and big expense account, to Nixon. Though flattered, Nixon declined even though he knew his wife would “kill [him] for turning [them] down.”

Then-Vice President Nixon throwing out the first pitch at Opening Day in 1959.

In 1972, prompted by a reporter, Nixon compiled his All-Time Baseball Team.

In addition to naming his All-Star Teams, Nixon also named the top players in categories such as batting, pitching and base running.

Though Nixon's 1972 selections drew both criticism and praise, the choices he made reflected a deep understanding and passion for the game.

After fighting in World War II, Ford returned to his hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and began practicing law. For entertainment, he attended games played by the Grand Rapids Chicks of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. He even took his future wife, Betty, to a few games when they were courting.

A 1947 Grand Rapids Chicks Yearbook.

During his first year in the White House, Ford signed a bill allowing girls to play Little League baseball. Prior to 1974, the Little League charter specified that it was only for boys.

Baseball containing the signature of multiple presidents. It is one of dozens of signed presidential baseballs preserved by the Hall.

The only Opening Day festivities that President Ford took a part of was in 1976 in Arlington, Texas. Ford threw two baseballs to Texas Rangers catcher Jim Sundberg.

Ford holding a Rangers flag after throwing out the first pitch at the Texas Rangers' 1976 Opening Day.

In 1975, Ford wrote to Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, applauding MLB for their Drug Education and Prevention Program. The program still exists today under a new name, the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

During his time in office, Jimmy Carter only attended one baseball game, the last game of the 1979 World Series (played by the Baltimore Orioles & Pittsburgh Pirates). He was the only President since William Taft to not throw out an Opening Day first pitch.

Carter wasn’t a baseball fan, but loved softball and always took it seriously when he played. Secret Service men were often his teammates, and “were terrified that if they messed up they might end up stationed in Ohio.”

Softball glove used by President Carter during softball games at the annual Peanut Festival.

Ronald Reagan was the first and only President to work as a baseball broadcaster. He did radio re-creations for station WHO in Des Moines, Iowa.

Reagan didn’t attend a baseball game as President until 1983, when he traveled to Baltimore for Game 1 of the 1983 World Series.

Lifetime pass that was presented to Ronald Reagan when he became president.

The same year Reagan designated May as "National Amateur Baseball Month" to recognize the good sportsmanship, competitiveness and teamwork so necessary in developing good citizenship which the game of baseball affords.

Pen used by Reagan to sign the proclamation

The following year, in 1984, Reagan returned to Baltimore to throw out the Opening Day first pitch. After tossing out the pitch, which hit the low inside corner, he watched the entire game from the dugout (the first and only President to do so).

Baseball containing the signature of multiple presidents. It is one of dozens of signed presidential baseballs preserved by the Hall.

Throughout his presidency, Bush attended ten ballgames, throwing out the first pitch at eight of them.

Baseball containing the signature of multiple presidents. It is one of dozens of signed presidential baseballs preserved by the Hall.

On April 5, 1993 Bill Clinton walked out to the pitcher's mound in Baltimore and tossed out his first Presidential pitch. Though the toss was a high, soft arc, Clinton was relieved that it didn't bounce. Afterward, he joined Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson and Jon Miller in the broadcasters' booth and called the top of the first inning.

Baseball containing the signature of multiple presidents. It is one of dozens of signed presidential baseballs preserved by the Hall.

Though a St. Louis Cardinals fan, Clinton was convinced to also root for the Chicago Cubs by his wife, Hilary Rodham Clinton, who was a lifelong Cubs fan. He attended a Cubs game in 1999 and watched as they topped the Milwaukee Brewers 5-4.

Baseball signed by the Clintons and presented to the Hall by Mrs. Clinton during her tour of upstate New York in summer of 1999.

April 6, 2001 was a day of firsts. Not only was it President Bush's first presidential first pitch, but his pitch was also the first pitch of the first game at the Milwaukee Brewers' Miller Park. He shared the ceremonial duties with his friend, Commissioner Bud Selig.

Baseball containing the signature of multiple presidents. It is one of dozens of signed presidential baseballs preserved by the Hall.

Two months later, in June, Bush launched Tee Ball on the South Lawn to encourage fitness among the youth and promote the national pastime to people of all ages. A game was held annually on the South Lawn during Bush's two terms as president.

Five months later, the nation was rocked by the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001. Elected officials urged the public to get back to everyday life in the days following the attacks. Baseball obliged, and the New York Yankees, a team playing in the epicenter of the country's distress, managed to make it to the World Series.

President Bush would throw out the first pitch at six of the nine games he attended while in office.
Each of these six pitches were tossed out in six different cities.

Bobblehead representing President Bush distributed during the "Bobblection" held in various minor league parks in August 2004.

In May 2014, Obama became the first sitting president to visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum. The President, accompanied by Hall of Famer Andre Dawson, was led on a tour by Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson. Obama visited Cooperstown as an effort to promote American tourism.

In March 2016, President Obama attended a landmark exhibition game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cuban National Team in Havana, Cuba. The game was part of ongoing efforts to set aside more than 50 years of Cold War hostility. The historic game was the first visit to Cuba by a major league team and visit by a President since 1999 and 1928, respectively.

Artifacts collected by the Hall from the exhibition game.