The George W. Bush Library and Museum exhibit, located in Dallas, takes visitors on a chronological tour of the presidents and their historical connection to baseball. This special exhibit includes artifacts (over 125) from other presidential libraries and museums and the National Baseball Museum in Cooperstown, New York as it relates to America’s favorite pastime.
At various times baseball has always seemed to reflect those events in America’s history as it relates to social, economic, and racial overtones. In moments good or bad, concerning events that may be painful or joy filled, baseball has always been there for the people. The game has united us, given us hope and helped to salve the wounds of discomfort. The game has changed as fans have changed. Always for the better it seems. But most importantly, baseball has given us hope and provided a portal for a better understanding of tomorrow.
Below are some of the more interesting roles that American presidents had in the historical development and growth of the game that can be discovered at the exhibit.
George Washington (1789-1807). Our first president was also our first Commander and Chief. In the winter of 1776-1777 at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania to keep his men from freezing and thinking about their hunger, he played catch with them.
Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865). Played catch with his two youngest sons and built a baseball field behind the White House. He would lose his 11-year-old son Willie in 1862 from typhoid fever, which always seemed to plague the capitol. His youngest son, Tad, and the President would continue to “play ball” until Lincoln’s death in the spring of 1865. Tad died in 1871. Mary Todd Lincoln would later be committed to a sanatorium by the oldest son, Robert.
Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893). First president to attend a professional baseball game—the Washington Senators vs. Philadelphia Athletics. He served as a Union Brigadier General during the Civil War. He was the grandson of our 9th president William Henry Harrison, who was elected in 1840, but died in office after serving only 32 days.
Grover Cleveland (1885-1889). This president didn’t like baseball very much. Refused to attend any games saying the American people did not want him wasting his time watching baseball. Cleveland fathered a child out of wedlock, so the American people voted for Harrison against him for reelection in 1884. Cleveland apologized and took financial responsibility for the child. He was elected again in 1893, serving until 1897. I was surprised he didn’t like baseball. Even more surprising is the fact that a President would admit a wrong, apologize, then do the right thing.
Howard Taft (1909-1913). Threw out the “First Pitch” in 1910, starting a tradition. Also Taft was a big man weighing over three hundred pounds. Once at a game, the small wooden chair became uncomfortable for his bulk, so he stood to stretch. This was done in the middle of the 7th inning. Thus the “7th inning stretch.” There is some disagreement among baseball historians about this being the first time there was a “stretch,” but the Bush Library states it as a fact. Taft would be defeated in the 1912 election by Woodrow Wilson. Taft would later become a justice on the US Supreme Court. He is buried in Arlington Cemetery.
Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921). Never attended a baseball game saying he didn’t feel right watching entertainment while American boys were dying in combat. After Wilson’s return from Europe after the war, he had a massive stroke. His wife was his caregiver. She wouldn’t allow anyone to have access to the president. Historians feel like she probably ran the country. It’s not surprising that Wilson didn’t like baseball. At that time it was considered the common man’s game. Wilson had been the President of Princeton University and Governor of New Jersey.
