The Nationals nearly pulled off the comeback win Wednesday night against Roy Halladay and the Philadelphia Phillies, but as Teddy Roosevelt has learned time and time again, close isn’t quite enough.
With the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus in town, the Nationals had announced that the famous clowns would be at Nationals Park to participate in the fourth-inning presidents race, but what transpired Wednesday night was more Fellini than Bozo.
The strange affair saw presidents getting picked off one-by-one as they attempted to traverse a bizarre obstacle course that included a first-ever appearance by a fifth president.
As the presidents entered the field, PA announcer Jerome Hruska introduced the “American presidential gladitorial race.” After navigating around a circus clown positioned in the outfield, the presidents ran into a super-sized John F. Kennedy, who knocked George Washington to the ground. A Nat Pack member then took out Abe, leaving Teddy and Tom to break through two giant paper doors. Alas, Teddy picked door #2, where he was tackled by members of the grounds crew.
It remains to be seen whether Kennedy will make repeat appearances at Nationals Park. JFK, of course, is not on Mt. Rushmore, and Wednesday night he did not wear a uniform or compete in the race.
Video courtesy of YouTube member lfahome
LET TEDDY WIN 
It is not funny to lampoon a president who was slain during recent history. I remember the event very well.
This was in very, very bad taste.
@Nat Be Thy Name:
So, 47+ years is “recent history”? Boy, I’m glad the Nats weren’t doing the GEICO Presidents Race in 1912. You sure would be a real stick in the mud.
It’s not like Lincoln was racing against Garfield, McKinley and Kennedy, was it?
Totally right that Tom won–it was his birthday!
And btw Lincoln passed away 146 years ago tomorrow April 15. At what point did it become okay that a fallen President become big headed muppet? I guess more than 47 years but less than 146. What’s with some people about JFK anyway? Give it a rest.
@Barb, oh and I’m glad Tom won on his bday. 🙂
I want to see the REAL Bill Clinton do the race. That would be incredible. Bushes are sad, not funny, and Jimmy Carter’s just too old for running around a ballpark.
And Obama would wear that ChiSox cap so he’s out too.
I think the fifth president introduced should have been FDR in a wheelchair. But you know people would have complained about that also.
It seems to me it was pretty thoughtless to have JFK be thuggish the very next day after a fan was ejected for punching.
Actually, it was the day before.
Oh, sorry for spreading careless misinformation.