President George W. Bush's love of baseball began during his childhood in Midland, Texas, where he played Little League Baseball and dreamed of following in the footsteps of baseball great, Willie Mays. President Bush's love of the game continued. Before serving as President of the United States and Governor of Texas, President Bush was a managing partner for the Major League Baseball Team, the Texas Rangers. President Bush's life-long affection for the game led him to open the South Lawn of the White House to t-ball players in the Spring of 2001. The White House t-ball tradition is continuing this spring as children learn the great lessons of team sports: following the rules, respecting other players, and supporting teammates. From throwing to catching and fielding to batting, America's Presidents have long enjoyed
playing or watching a good game of baseball. Andrew Johnson, Lincoln's successor, was so thrilled to be invited to see the first game played among teams from different states, that he gave his White House staff time off from work to go to the game. Johnson set up chairs for his staff along the first base line of the White Lot, an area located between the South Lawn of the White House and an incomplete Washington Monument that stood only 152 feet tall. Today, the area is called the Ellipse, and energetic federal staffers play softball games on the grounds each spring in the shadows of the towering, 555-foot Washington Monument. Ulysses S. Grant was President when the National League was formed in 1876, but Benjamin Harrison became the first President to attend a major league game when he saw Cincinnati beat Washington 7-4 on June 6, 1892.
Ronald Reagan so loved the game that he worked as a radio announcer for the Chicago Cubs. His success gave him the opportunity to go into acting, where he once played the part of a pitcher in the movie, The Winning Team. From George Washington to George W. Bush, Presidents over the years have shown their love of the game and baseball has loved their highest-ranking fan. |
![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() Radio ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Ask the White House ![]() ![]() |