[OTP-May] Politico: Congressional baseball game, May 1, 1926

On this day in 1926, Democratic and Republican members of Congress adjourned to the old Griffith Stadium for their annual baseball game — a tradition dating back to 1909. Ticket sales supported the Congressional Wives’ Club.
In advance of the contest, The Washington Post wrote: “Public encouragement and applause may work wonders in developing Walter Johnsons and Babe Ruths from the raw material of Congress. To many Americans the baseball bat is mightier than the tongue; and in any event the exercise of another set of muscles will be beneficial to the habitués of the cloakrooms.”

More than 4,000 fans watched the pre-game ceremonies. An elephant and a donkey led parallel parades staged by each party. A comedian served as master of ceremonies. The Army and Navy bands played. House Speaker Nicholas Longworth (R-Ohio) occupied the presidential box, flanked by an entourage of social and political leaders.

[OTP - March] Scott wants money for spring training teams

While working at the Detroit Tigers’ spring facility in Lakeland, Gov. Rick Scott announced today he will ask the Florida Legislature to set aside $5 million a year for projects specifically aimed at improving the Major League Baseball training facilities in the state.

“It’s my job as governor to make sure Florida remains the number one destination for spring training and that is why we will work to provide $5 million annually to only be used for spring training facilities,” Scott said in a statement that was released while Scott was participating in one of his “work days” with the Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland.

OTP - Feb 2013: Baseball team flunks history with Taft mascot pick

The Washington Nationals might have bitten off more than they can chew by naming William Howard Taft as their next racing mascot. If you aren’t familiar with the controversy, the baseball team features four mascots dressed as U.S. presidents that race around the Nationals’ stadium during home games to entertain fans.

“Teddy has handpicked the next president for the Presidents’ Race,” Nationals COO Andy Feffer told the newspaper on Friday, a day before the Taft mascot was rolled out. “There was a great amount of banter and discussion back and forth, but Teddy won out with his recommendation.”

On Saturday, the sanitized Taft mascot made its debut at a fan event, looking at least 100 pounds lighter than its real-life counterpart.

The reaction in the media, so far, is that even sportswriters who aren’t historians know the two men hated each other.

The Post’s Dan Steinberg asked a local historian how bad the blood was between TR and Taft.

Allan Lichtman, distinguished professor of history at American University, told Steinberg that each man considered the other a backstabber, and they had no qualms taking down each other in a presidential election.

“The rivalry was as bitter as it gets in politics,” said Lichtman. “There’s nothing like the feeling of betrayal, and both men felt betrayed by the other.”

OT: NHL is finally back thread

Now that the season has finally started it’s time to break from the NFL thread.

OTP - Jan 2013: Jewish Journal:E1: An error in baseball and Mideast politics