Barack Obama’s favorite game is hoops, not baseball, and his aides say that he’s eschewing throwing out the first pitch Friday at the Washington Nationals home opener. But the First Fan did open the White House doors to the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday, lauding the 2013 World Series champs for their role in helping heal their city after last April’s Boston Marathon bombing.
“Sometimes, sports seems like it’s trivial— just an entertainment,” the president said. “And then, every once in a while, you’re reminded that sports represents something else and it has the power to bring people together like almost nothing can. And all of you should be very proud of what you accomplished. I know your fans are. And I’m grateful to you as well.”
U.S. presidents have a long and rich association with the game. So here, to cap off MLB’s Opening Week, is RealClearPolitics’ first annual Presidents and Baseball Quiz. Grade yourself—it’s an honor system—but it’s not an open-book test. In other words, no peeking at Google.
1. What baseball executive said, “Baseball is America. If you want to be associated with what’s truly American—and you’re a politician—you better get close to baseball.”
2. Who was the first president to attend an Opening Day?
3. The only president in the last century not to throw out a ball on Opening Day.
4. The first president ever booed at a major league game?
5. This president dreamed of growing up to be Honus Wagner.
6. This one wanted to be Willie Mays.
7. The sole president in history with no connection to baseball or its athletic forerunners.
8. Only time a president and vice president attended a game together while in office.
9. This chief executive said, “Good ballplayers make good citizens.”
10. This president weathered impeachment by inviting supporters to the White House to watch baseball as he talked nostalgically about playing the game as a boy.
11. First president to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at the World Series.
12. This man was the first (and only) president to publicly disdain the game of baseball.
13. He was the first southpaw to throw out a first pitch.
14. This president tossed out two pitches—one left-handed and the other right-handed.
15. This president regularly hunted during the off-season with Ty Cobb.
16. This one previously owned a minor league team, was the first to invite Babe Ruth to the White House, wagered on games — and lived and died with the Washington Senators.
17. He was the only president ever to play in an old-timers game.
18. This future president walked up to a future Hall of Famer and said, “They say you’re too old to be a ballplayer and I’m too young to be president. Maybe we’ll fool them.”
19. This baseball player was named after a president—and portrayed in a movie by a future president.
20. Which U.S. president was the best baseball player?
CLICK HERE FOR THE ANSWERS
Presidents and Baseball: An RCP Quiz
No comments:
Post a Comment