Just one day after William Howard Taft notched his first-ever presidents race victory, the pressure was on for rival Teddy Roosevelt to prove that last year’s season-ending win was no fluke.
Sunday’s Mothers Day game at Nationals Park featured pink bats for the players and the annual appearance by mascot Screech’s Mom, who looks suspiciously like the team’s “Baby Screech” mascot from 2005 through 2007.
In the fourth inning, the presidents race was announced as a “Dizzy Bat Race,” in which all five racing presidents had to spin around three times with their heads on pink bats, then carry the bat to the finish line.
Thomas Jefferson got the quick jump out of the gate, but paid for it soon after by losing his balance as he raced forward.
Abe Lincoln and William Howard Taft were close behind, but Lincoln plowed into Taft, sending both to the ground on the outfield warning track.
That left George Washington in the lead with Teddy Roosevelt trailing behind. Washington appeared to be on his way to another presidents race win, but the father of our country dropped his bat along the first base line. When he turned to pick it up, Teddy raced by.
It was the Rough Rider’s first victory of 2013, and his first ever wearing the presidents’ traditional Sunday garb.
Video courtesy of YouTube member lfahome
Sadly, the fact that the Nationals lost both games late/post race, i don’t think we’ll see Teddy or Taft win again for a long while.