Video: Shark attacks Teddy, secret service no help as presidents race Olympic tributes continue

Presidents Race Olympics Relay Terrance ScottPresidents Race Olympics Relay Race BatonsPresidents Race Olympics Relay Teddy LostNationals Racing Presidents Olympic Swimming 400 individual medleyNationals Racing Presidents Olympic Swimming 400 IMNationals Racing Presidents Olympic Swimming 400 IMPresidents Race Olympics Swimming Shark Attacks TeddyNationals Presidents Race Shark Attacks TeddyThe Nationals racing presidents continued their week of Olympic tributes with Friday’s doubleheader at Nationals Park, mixing the predictable with the absurd, and extending Teddy Roosevelt’s winless streak to 496 races.

The newly dismantled Miami Marlins arrived in town early for an afternoon makeup game, and the lightly-attended affair included a presidents race first: members of the Nat Pack and the “Secret Service” who escort the presidents around the ball park participated in an Olympic presidents race 4-man relay.

Secret Service member Scott took the first leg vs. Nat Packer Terrance before handing things off to Abe Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson, respectively. Lincoln extended the lead, and by the time Nat Packer Jason got the baton to George Washington for the anchor leg, he was way behind, but Teddy’s baton transition was weak and he faded in the home stretch, handing George the win.

By the time game 2 began, 32,334 fans had arrived, and the day of presidents race firsts continued as the evening crowd was treated to a 4th-inning spectacle that was worthy of a Fellini movie.

In the first-ever presidents race swim meet, the giant-headed Rushmores entered the stadium wearing goggles and swim caps, and advanced around the warning track making swimming motions with their arms in the styles of the 400 Meter Individual Medley– first the butterfly, then the backstroke, the breast stroke, and freestyle.

Teddy, of course, tried to “swim” while carrying an inner tube.

As if the surreal image of Thomas Jefferson leading the pack of “swimmers” down the first base line wasn’t enough for the Nationals Park crowd, a person in a shark costume then appeared out of the Nationals’ bullpen.

With the shark chasing the field, what happened next was inevitable, and Teddy’s humiliation was complete.

“And that is the most mutant looking shark I’ve ever seen in my life,” said color commentator F.P. Santangelo on the MASN broadcast. “That is an outfield shark, folks.”

Video below:

Video: The Post Profiles some seriously insane Nats fan

When The Washington Post asked me to stay mic’d up during yesterday’s game, I wasn’t sure what to expect.

Here it is. The Post released the companion video to presidential speechwriter Paul Orzulak’s must-read opinion piece on the Let Teddy Win movement, and well, the video speaks for itself.

I am amazed by how quickly producer Brad Horn pieced this together.

Video: Racing presidents perform rhythmic gymnastics in Olympic tribute

Nationals racing presidents Olympic rhythmic gymnastics Teddy gets airNationals racing presidents Olympic rhythmic gymnasticsNationals racing presidents Olympic rhythmic gymnastics George Washington posesIf you’ve ever wondered what rhythmic gymnastics would look like if Olympic athletes had to wear 10 foot high, 45 pound costumes, the answer arrived with gusto Thursday night at Nationals Park.

After race walking and fencing through the first two matches of the series, the Rushmore Four continued to push the envelope with their week of Olympic tributes, entering the field carrying ribbons and performing a presidential rendition of rhythmic gymnastics.

“Good form and execution by George,” intoned Nationals P.A. announcer Jerome Hruska. “Wonderful control of the apparatus by Teddy.”

The presidents then paused in front of the visitors bullpen for invidual displays. “That’s a 10 for George,” Hruska continued as Washington twirled from the ground. Teddy received “a slight deduction,” but the reasons weren’t clear.

The presidents then took off towards the finish line, but Teddy, Abe, and Tom got tangled up in ribbons, and George Washington leapt to victory.

“George gets the gold,” added Nationals broadcaster Bob Carpenter
on the MASN broadcast. “My greatest challenge as the Nationals TV announcer doing play by play is making sense of the presidents race,” he added. “Baseball is a simple game compared to that.”

Video courtesy of YouTube member lfahome

Racing presidents take up swords in Olympic fencing tribute

Racing presidents Olympic fencing with swords Teddy v Abe LincolnRacing presidents Olympic fencing with swords Teddy v GeorgeRacing presidents Olympic fencing with swords Teddy v TomThe Nationals racing presidents continued their week of Olympic tributes on Wednesday night at Nationals Park with a rare non-race event — fencing.

Teddy Roosevelt emerged from the centerfield gate bearing a foil, a flexible sword used in Olympic competitions. With Abe Lincoln waiting to confront Teddy on the warning track, the two crossed swords, but Teddy knocked Lincoln’s foil into the air, and ran past.

George Washington was next, and Roosevelt quickly dispatched him with a thrust move that sent the Founding Father to the ground.

Teddy took off, but Thomas Jefferson was waiting for him at the finish line, standing motionless and blocking his path with a sabre. Roosevelt advanced and swung at Jefferson, but Teddy’s foil shattered against Tom’s much stiffer sword.

Jefferson lunged at the defenseless Bull Moose to score the victory. Teddy collapsed to the ground, and Jefferson walked across the finish line.

Here’s the finish line video, followed by the call by Bob Carpenter on MASN, with some good close-ups of Lincoln’s parry.

Finish lideo courtesy of YouTube member lfahome

Nationals Racing presidents kick off a week of Olympic races

Nationals racing presidents Olympic race walkingNationals racing presidents Olympic race walking Teddy Roosevelt LosesThe Washington Nationals racing presidents opened a six game home stand at Nationals Park promising to dedicate all races this week to events of the Olympic Games.

The festivities kicked off Tuesday night with a “race walk” at Nationals Park set to Olympic music (yes, race walking is in fact an Olympic event).

George Washington led a tight pack into the right field corner, but the pace picked up in the home stretch, and Thomas Jefferson broke into a moderate sprint.

George and Abe gave chase, leaving Teddy Roosevelt as the only president to stick to the rules.

Video courtesy of YouTube member lfahome

Video: Abe Lincoln shoves his way to presidents race victory

Washington Nationals Presidents Race Thomas Jefferson tackled Teddy RoosveltWashington Nationals Presidents Race Abe Lincoln CheatsAbraham Lincoln returned to form Sunday at Nationals Park — cheating form, that is.

In a race more fitting for a roller derby, “Honest” Abe took out George Washington with an anabashed body check along the outfield wall, clearing a path to victory after Thomas Jefferson had taken out Teddy Roosevelt in similar fashion. As has become the custom, corrupt race judge Screech turned a cheek and failed to disqualify Lincoln.

Abe’s third victory in the last four races helped Lincoln keep pace with season leader Washington as the team hits the road for the week. Video courtesy of YouTube member lfahome

Video: Teddy Roosevelt surprises kids at Big Train camp, loses

Teddy Roosevelt at Go Big Train Baseball CampWashington Nationals racing president Teddy Roosevelt livened up a hot Friday for a bunch of campers today by making a surprise appearance at the Bethesda Big Train Summer Baseball Camp.

The highlight of the visit was a race between the most notorious of the racing Rushmores and a couple of dozen campers barely taller than Teddy’s chest.

The great Bull Moose jumped out to a quick lead, but sadly could not keep up with the little ones, who seemed determined to keep his winless streak intact.

Thanks to Cheryl Nichols for the photo.

Video: BethesdaBigTrain

Video: “Free Apple Pie” pulls Teddy Roosevelt off course

Racing president Teddy Roosevelt distracted by Mets Apple PieWashington Nationals Racing president Teddy Roosevelt distracted by Mets Apple PieOver 36,000 loyal fans battled the heat to pack Nationals Park Thursday as the Nats hosted a rare weekday afternoon game vs. the New York Mets.

Unfortunately, the stifling heat had little apparent effect on Teddy Roosevelt’s appetite.

The Bull Moose held a big lead as he rounded the outfield corner, but a fan in a Mets shirt held up a sign near the finish line that proved his undoing.

The promise of “Free Apple Pie” was enough to pull Teddy off course, and Thomas Jefferson raced past for the victory.

Video courtesy of YouTube member lfahome

Presidents race on tandem bikes, George & Tom take the tape

Nationals Presidents race on tandem bikesNationals Presidents race on tandem bikes for 2Abe Lincoln has a reputation for pushing and shoving his way to the finish line, but pair him with Teddy Roosevelt for a night, and the Great Emancipator becomes a pussycat. Whether it’s a relay race or a shared bike ride, Lincoln has never one when teamed with Teddy. Coincidence? Hardly.

The team kicked off the second half of its home season Tuesday with a thrilling 10-inning victory over the New York Mets, and while the presidents livened things up by trotting out the tandem bikes, the result was more of the same. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson cruised to victory, and Teddy picked up loss #485.

Video by YouTube member lfahome

Full Video: Teddy Roosevelt clobbering Milwaukee sausage in the All Star Game Great Mascot Race

Here it is. The full video from Kaufman Stadium in Kansas City where Teddy Roosevelt clobbered Milwaukee’s Bratwurst as part of the MLB Great Mascot Race at the All Star Game Home Run Derby.

After years of beating up on fake racing sausages, Teddy obviously decided a shot at the real thing was worth taking the loss.

Enjoy.

Video: Teddy Roosevelt races at All Star Game Home Run Derby, clobbers Milwaukee sausage

Teddy Roosevelt race at the All Star Game HR DerbyTeddy Roosevelt race at the All Star Game HR DerbyTeddy Roosevelt race at the All Star Game HR DerbyTeddy Roosevelt race at the All Star Game HR Derby
Great Mascot Race at the All Star Game - Teddy Roosevelt Milwaukee Sausage and RelishMajor League baseball hosted an all star “Great Mascott Race” at Monday night’s Home Run Derby in Kansas City.

Among the racing mascots who passed the baton in the relay race were Nolan Ryan (Rangers Legends of Texas Race) vs. Bob the Shark (Marlins Great Sea Race), Onion (Indians Hot Dog Derby) vs. Aquafina (Rays Bottle Race), and Randy Johnson (Arizona Legends Race) vs. Relish (Royals Hot Dog Derby).

Finally, running anchor for their respective teams, were the Washington Nationals’ own racing president Teddy Roosevelt (wearing his road grays) vs. Bratwurst of the famous Milwaukee Racing Sausages.

After being handed a big lead by teammate Randy Johnson, Teddy Roosevelt had his rival sausage beaten on the anchor leg, but stopped just short of the finish line and turned to face a more tempting target.

Teddy flattened the advancing Bratwurst, drawing cheers from the 38,000 screaming fans at Kaufman Stadium, but alas, as Teddy stood over his victim in triumph, Relish knocked down Teddy.

Bratwurst got up, stumbled over the finish line, and was declared the winner.

Thanks to @gordonmack for the quick video, and to espnW’s intrepid Amanda Rykoff for sending these terrific photos instead of sleeping.

Any other videos out there? Let me know.

UPDATE: Full video from Kaufman Stadium


Video: In 103° heat, grounds crew distracts Teddy with popsicles

Presidents Race Grounds Crew with PopsiclesWashington Nationals Presidents Race Teddy Distracted by popsiclesWashington Nationals Presidents Race Teddy Distracted by popsiclesWashington Nationals Presidents Race Hawaiian ShirtsBeing a racing president could not have been the most enjoyable job Saturday at Nationals Park, with the official afternoon game time temperature  at 103°, and the grounds crew reporting that the turf itself hit 140°.

With a heat wave enveloping Washington and a code red air quality alert in effect for the region, the racing presidents attempted to cool down by wearing Hawaiian shirts in lieu of jerseys.

When the fourth inning race began, Teddy Roosevelt jumped the gun and bolted ahead of the pack, presumably trying to get back in the shade as quickly as possible.

But as Teddy raced toward the finish, the Nationals grounds crew appeared along the first base line, tantalizing Roosevelt with ice cold popsicles.

The great Bull Moose stopped dead in his tracks and dove for the icy treats, going over the rail and into the stands.

While Teddy cooled off, George, Tom and Abe caught up and raced by.

Washington took the tape to extend his lead in the season standings.

Video courtesy of YouTube member lfahome

Video: On throwback night, Teddy and Abe Lincoln’s mummy pay tribute to 1924 (Founding fathers not impressed)

Thursday was throwback night at Nationals Park, as the Washington Nationals and San Francisco Giants turned back the clock to commemorate the 1924 World Series between the Senators and then-New York Giants.

Abe Lincoln Washington Nationals Presidents Race MummyTeddy and Abe Lincoln Washington Nationals Presidents Race 1924

Nationals Park black and white 1924 scoreboard

The Nationals Park scoreboard video was in grainy black & white for 1924 throwback night

The Nats left no stone unturned, from the usher and grounds crew uniforms, to the organ music, to the throwback green and white scoreboard which, other than the black and white replays, appeared to be manually operated. Even former Senators P.A. announcer Charlie Brotman returned to the microphone.

And just as the Senators came from behind to steal game 7 with a walk-off on a bad hop, the Nats engineered a commemorative bad-hop walk-off of their own to sweep the series.

The only presidents race in 1924 involved Calvin Coolidge, so when the fourth inning came around, the Nationals’ presidents had to come up with a commemoration of their own.

With the scoreboard showing the live race in black & white, Abraham Lincoln emerged wrapped as a mummy in a 1924 Senators jersey, chased by Teddy Roosevelt aboard a scooter (turns out Tutankhamun’s mummy was discovered in 1924, the same year the scooter was invented).

Founding fathers Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, who rightfully don’t think 1924 qualifies for nostalgia, ignored the shenanigans and dashed for the finish line, with GW taking the tape by a nose, then doing the Charleston with NatPack member Katie Albisu.

Video courtesy of YouTube member lfahome

Gio Gonzalez: “Chicken Mode is my area of expertise”

Washington Nationals Rubber Chicken Man Hugh Kaufman displays his Chicken Mode T-ShirtGio Gonzalez of the Washington Nationals Smile SmilingLong before pitcher Gio Gonzalez made his first start for the Washington Nationals, he spotted two fans outside the Nationals spring training complex in Viera, Florida, wearing Chicken Mode t-shirts.

Lacking any context, the phrase nonetheless spoke to the Nat’s happy-go-lucky new pitcher.

“Chicken Mode?,” Gio called out. “Yeah, we’ve got too much Beast Mode around here. We need more Chicken Mode!”

It didn’t take long for Gio to figure out that the shirts were a tribute to Nationals season ticket holder Hugh Kaufman, aka Rubber Chicken Man, who sits behind the home dugout and has has performed a number of rubber chicken sacrifices to help the team, most recently two months ago during a string of injuries.

Gonzalez asked Kaufman for a t-shirt, which Gio wore Wednesday morning for an interview with FOX 5 DC. “I always give [Hugh] a little shout out,” he told FOX 5′s Dave Ross.

“You got to be a little bit stronger to wear Beast Mode,” Gonzalez explained. “Chicken Mode is more like my area of expertise.”

Enjoy:

Photo: Bill Menzel

Video: Jefferson leads the way in Nationals Independence Day tradition.

Independence Day Thomas Jefferson wins the Presidents Race at Nationals ParkJuly 4 Presidents Race - Thomas Jefferson Always Wins Declaration of IndependenceLongtime Washington Nationals fans know two universal truths about Independence Day at Nationals Park. Ryan Zimmerman will have a big day, and Thomas Jefferson will win the presidents race.

Zimmerman delivered with a homer and three RBI, making him 10 for 20 with 13 RBIs in six Independence Day games.

And for the third year in a row, founding father Thomas Jefferson, scribe of the Declaration of Independence, led the 4th inning presidents race wire to wire, carrying an American Flag all the way.

Video courtesy of YouTube member lfahome

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 2,783 other followers

%d bloggers like this: