The President throws out the First Pitch in Cincinnati

[Mattingly]

First off, let's stick to baseball. Regardless of how you feel about him, it's strictly about the continuation of a baseball tradition. OK? He's also the only Little Leaguer who's ever become President. I'm not sure if any other past US Presidents were team owners (he was a minority owner of the Texas Rangers).

Thanks.


President George W. Bush throws the first pitch on
Opening Day in Cincinnati. (Charles Dharapak/AP)

President Bush tosses Opening pitch
Commander in Chief spends time with both clubs Monday

CINCINNATI -- President George W. Bush became the first sitting president to throw out a ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day in Cincinnati, when he tossed to Reds catcher Jason LaRue prior to Monday's game at Great American Ball Park.

Bush is just the second sitting president to participate in a pregame ceremony in Cincinnati. President Richard M. Nixon threw out the first pitch prior to the 1970 All-Star Game at Riverfront Stadium.

Cincinnati native William Howard Taft is the only other sitting president to attend a game in Cincinnati. Taft was also the first sitting president to participate in Opening Day ceremonies, when he did so on April 14, 1910, in Washington, D.C.

Bush is the fifth sitting president to attend a Cubs game. Taft was the first, attending Cubs-Pirates games in Pittsburgh on May 29, 1909, and the aforementioned game in 1910. Herbert Hoover attended the Oct. 14, 1929, Cubs-Athletics World Series game in Philadelphia. Ronald Reagan was at Wrigley Field on Sept. 30, 1988, for the Cubs-Pirates game. Reagan tossed out two first pitches and broadcasted an inning and a half with Harry Caray. President Bill Clinton attended the Cubs-Brewers game at Wrigley on June 30, 1999.

President George W. Bush is presented with a
bat by Reds center fielder Ken Griffey Jr.
(Charles Dharapak/AP)

Opening Day a special event in Cincy
President Bush highlights celebration of new season

CINCINNATI -- More than 50 fans were waiting outside when Game Day Sports Cafe, located just a few blocks from Great American Ball Park, opened its doors Monday morning at 5 ET.

Damp and drizzly conditions didn't discourage thousands of fans from lining the streets of downtown Cincinnati for the 87th Findlay Market Opening Day Parade.

Tickets for Opening Day sold out in a matter of minutes, with some fans camping outside Great American Ball Park for several days to secure their place in line.

And, President George W. Bush agreed to throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to Monday's game.

Opening Day is truly a holiday in Cincinnati.

Reds manager Jerry Narron was aware that Opening Day in the Queen City was different than in most Major League towns, but he didn't get to see that for himself until 2003, his first season as Reds bench coach.

[Chisox73]

Opening Day is always special to begin with,but when the President gets to throw out the Ceremomnial 1st pitch to start the season,whether it be Cincinnati,Baltimore,Washington,wherever,it makes Opening Day that much better.

It's basically one of the few times where everyone,regardless of politics,can cheer as one as a new season gets underway.

[ndistops]

I had always assumed that since there is a team in Washington now, that the President would always be in DC for Opening Day, but it was great to see Dubya at my Cubs' game.

[Mattingly]

ChiSox73:

Thanks for that reply. I'm hoping to keep things on topic here.

I had always assumed that since there is a team in Washington now, that the President would always be in DC for Opening Day, but it was great to see Dubya at my Cubs' game.

Bad news. Guess who else came along?


Bud Selig (left) and Reds majority owner
Bob Castellini take in Opening Day.
(Tom Uhlman/AP)

Selig attends Reds-Cubs Opener
Commissioner expects extraordinary 2006 season

[Chisox73]

I had always assumed that since there is a team in Washington now, that the President would always be in DC for Opening Day, but it was great to see Dubya at my Cubs' game.

That is a tradition that I would like to see come back.The President in DC for Opening Day.:gt

[Mattingly]

Any great links for US Presidents throwing out the 1st Pitch on Opening Day?

What did they do in Toronto and Montreal when Les Expos were there?

[Williamsburg2599]

When I saw the title of this post, I thought "theres trouble." but so far so good,no political rants. Keep it up y'all.

[DodgerBlue81]

That is a tradition that I would like to see come back.The President in DC for Opening Day.:gt

Yeah, even when there's a dumb and incompetent president in office, it's a nice tradition that should continue.

[Chisox73]

Any great links for US Presidents throwing out the 1st Pitch on Opening Day?

What did they do in Toronto and Montreal when Les Expos were there?

Here's a link to Presidents and Opening Day.

[DodgerBlue81]

When I saw the title of this post, I thought "theres trouble." but so far so good,no political rants. Keep it up y'all.

Oops, I guess I ruined it; but what I said wasn't too bad.

[Brian McKenna]

warren harding owned parts of two ohio minor league clubs

[efin98]

Yeah, even when there's a dumb and incompetent president in office, it's a nice tradition that should continue.

That's one of the few things that many of the Presidents, both good, bad, or mediocre can all share in.

It's too bad it doesn't happen every year, seems to me like it should be a yearly tradition(whether in D.C. or rotating around).

[efin98]

Oops, I guess I ruined it; but what I said wasn't too bad.

At least weren't specific, you could have meant Harding, Hoover, or any other hated Prez

[Bob Hannah]

That is a tradition that I would like to see come back.The President in DC for Opening Day.:gt

President Bush was in D.C. last year for the opener and did indeed throw out the first pitch there.

I can't get any of the pictures of him to save properly but can provide a link to coverage by The Washington Post of last year's opener. The link has a thumbnail and a smaller detail photo of President Bush throwing out the first pitch. Click on either of those two for the enlargement.

No word on whether the president will open Washington's season with a first pitch. Such decisions usually aren't announced until closer to the event. This link provides an article regarding the revival of a tradition.

Note: Walter Johnson the Senators had a collection of autographed baseballs signed by I believe four different presidents. At some point the balls disappeared, being stolen. They were later recovered. I forget all the details but will post on it if I do find more info.

[redlegsfan21]

Those cursive presidents, STOP COMING TO REDS GAMES

I say that because the Reds haven't won a game since 1892 when the president attends the game.