Never seen a Washington Nationals presidents race? Don’t worry. Here’s a quick video history.
These videos of the racing presidents at Washington Nationals home games were taken by various contributors, and date back to the racing presidents’ debut weekend at RFK Stadium in July, 2006.
Presidents Race Videos - 2006 Season
Presidents Race Debut Weekend, July 2006
The video above by YouTube user HenryBasenji is of the 2nd live presidents race ever, July 22, 2006 at the Washington Nationals game vs. the Chicago Cubs. The live action race had debuted the night before, as part of the “Paint the Town Red” Grand Reopening of RFK Stadium. Teddy appears to pull up limp at the finish. None of us in the crowd realized at the time that this was the beginning of a very long streak of disappointments for our 26th president.
Early Presidents Race
This 2006 video by YouTube user squidpants shows the full scoreboard “teaser” sponsored by GEICO, in which the racing presidents are shown outside RFK Stadium, passing famous DC landmarks on their way to the finish line inside the ball park.
Early Presidents Race
This video by luismsm was one of the first Presidents Races from July, 2006 at RFK Stadium. Teddy takes the early lead but runs out of gas.
Presidents Race, final homestand of 2006 (2 Views):
The Nationals have been eliminated from the playoffs, but the inaugural season lead remained undecided with Abe Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson running neck and neck in presidents race victories. The two videos above are different angles of the same race captured by DolanMrs and HenryBasenji. Teddy emerges first from right field, but stops to shake hands with the crowd as the other presidents race by him. Thomas Jefferson showboats to the finish line to put himself in a position to pass Abraham Lincoln with two games remaining in the season.
Presidents Race Videos - 2007 Season
Opening Day Presidents Race - Teddy Flies into RFK
The 2007 presidents race season began in spectacular fashion, as Teddy appeared via a zip line from the RFK Stadium roof and flew over the heads of the other racing presidents. However, Teddy did not touch down smoothly and was disqualified for flying. Videos by YouTube members drblackindc and Kpor617.
Teddy blows the presidents race by stopping to sign an autograph
At a Nationals game against the Orioles on May 20, 2007, Teddy jumped out to a huge lead and appeared on his way to certain victory when he stopped to sign an autograph for a member of the Nat Pack, giving the other presidents a chance to race by him. Video by Vimeo user Ed.
Teddy runs the presidents race in a bicycle taxi
On August 18, 2007, it was Abe Lincoln bobblehead night. Teddy Roosevelt tried to steal Abe’s thunder by cheating by entering the stadium pulled by a bicycle taxi. Teddy was disqualified, but it didn’t matter as his driver couldn’t keep up with the other racing presidents. I could not find a video of this race that could be easily embedded on the blog, but you can view the video here by MySpace user rEnZuLLi. Flickr photo by philliefan99.
Close up of the presidents race
This video of the president race from Sunday 8/19/07 is low quality camera phone material, but YouTube user Swirlywand had great seats for the action, which in my mind made up for the quality. You can hear as the season progressed how more and more people began cheering loudly for Teddy to win.
Teddy Roosevelt Bobblehead Night (2 views)
After George, Abe, and Tom had all won the presidents race on their respective bobblehead nights, the air was thick with anticipation on September 1, 2007 when Teddy’s big night finally arrived. Yes, Barry Bonds and the Giants were in town, but there was just as much buzz about Teddy. Two separate Washington Post columnists predicted a Teddy victory, and the crowd of 30,000-plus fans went wild in the 4th inning when Teddy was carried into the stadium on a throne, as “secret service agents” held back the other racing presidents (as you can see in the top video by jfoust71). Alas, as they neared the midpoint of the race, Teddy’s escorts dropped him, chaos ensued, and there was a the dash to the finish line. Cheers turned to boos when the crowd realized that George Washington had beaten Teddy by the thinnest of margins. Second video by YouTube member relpc88.
Final presidents race at RFK Stadium
The final presidents race at RFK Stadium on September 23, 2007 was highly anticipated by Nats fans, who felt that a Teddy Roosevelt victory would be a fitting goodbye to the old ball park. Unfortunately, Teddy found yet another new way to lose, this time by showing up at the wrong stadium. As George, Abe, and Tom raced into RFK stadium, Teddy appear on the giant scoreboard at the new Nationals Park, which was still under construction. I could not find a video of this race that could be easily embedded on the blog, but you can watch a video of it here by BrightCove user jmargalus. The boos you hear are from the thousands of fans in the outfield stands who could not see the scoreboard! These fans had no idea why Teddy had not appeared.
Presidents Race Videos - 2008 Season
Presidents Race Auditions 2008
On February 18 (Presidents Day, of course), the Washington Nationals held auditions for the 2008 season. Fifty-five finalists were selected from a pool of 120 applicants to take part in the day’s auditions at RFK Stadium. Finalists donned costumes of racing presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abe Lincoln, but Teddy Roosevelt was conspicuously absent. Video by YouTube member NationalsPride.
This funny video by YouTube user BobbleheadElection features a profile of the 2008 presidents race auditions by Keith Olberman on MSNBC’s Countdown with Keith Olberman.
Teddy Cheats on Opening Day at Nationals Park
For the inaugural opening day game at Nationals Park, hopes were high for Teddy to grab his first victory. At the new stadium, the course was altered, with the presidents being introduced from center field and racing around the warning track then down the first base line. Teddy, however, took off straight across center field. There’s no way to know if he would have been disqualified for cheating, because he still managed to lose to George after stopping to chat with Atlanta Braves centerfielder Mark Kotsay. Video by YouTube user incurablydishonest.
Teddy Roots for the Capitals from the Penalty Box
On Sunday, April 13, the Washington Nationals hosted the Atlanta Braves on the same afternoon that the Washington Capitals were taking on the Philadelphia Flyers just up the street in their first round Stanley Cup playoff series. Teddy chose to support the other home team that day, rooting for his Capitals from a penalty box along the first base line. Teddy attempted to jump out and sprint to the finish, hockey stick in hand, but fell short in the end. Video by YouTube user mykolm.
Teddy Pulls a Hamstring
On Wednesday, April 23, in a Nationals game vs. the New York Mets, Teddy Roosevelt was leading midway through the race when he suddenly grabbed his right hamstring and began limping. Tragically, Abraham Lincoln raced past him as Teddy dropped quickly to last place. Video by YouTube user rtdev1.
Teddy Cheats by Cutting the Outfield Corner (2 views)
On Friday, April 25, during a Nationals game against the Chicago Cubs, Teddy got a quick jump on the field and took a huge lead into the right field turn. Unfortunately, Teddy tried to ensure his victory by leaving the warning track and cutting across the outfield corner. This resulted in immediate disqualification as he crossed the finish line. The perspectives of the 2 videos show why fans on the first base line thought Teddy had won and booed his disqualification. Video by YouTube user QuakerWildcat.
Panther Leaps from the Stands, Attacks Teddy
On Sunday, April 27, during game against the Chicago Cubs, Teddy took another huge lead and was leading the race in the home stretch when a person in a panther costume jumped out of the stands and ran onto the field, tackling Teddy and allowing the other racing presidents to pass him before he hit the finish line. Video by alert youtube user squidpants .
Teddy Chases Pittsburgh’s Giant Pierogies
At a Nationals game against the Pirates on May 3, 2008, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ giant racing pierogies made a surprise appearance by participating in the race along with the presidents. Teddy Roosevelt followed them onto the field and chased them around the warning track yielding a giant knife and fork. Video by Vimeo user Ed.
Teddy Stops to Deliver Flowers on Mother’s Day
In a Mother’s Day game against the Marlins on May 11, 2008, Teddy Roosevelt took a big lead through the right field turn, but regular observers of the presidents race noticed the bouquet of flowers in Teddy’s hand as a sign of impending doom. Sure enough, Teddy turned short of the finish line and entered the stands to deliver the flowers for Mother’s Day, as Abe took the tape. Video by Vimeo user Ed.
Tom Wins on his T-Shirt Tuesday night
In 2008, the Washington Nationals began T-Shirt Tuesdays, a promotion in which the first fans arriving at Nationals Park for Tuesday night home games receive a free t-shirt. Four of the announced dates featured racing presidents t-shirts, and on June 3, 2008, Thomas Jefferson followed George Washington by winning on his T-Shirt Tuesday, causing fans to speculate about Teddy’s chances for his T-Shirt Tuesday on August 12. Video by Vimeo user weinholder.
Panther returns to attack Teddy Roosevelt Again
During a June 5, 2008 game between the Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals, Teddy Roosevelt jumped out to a big lead in the presidents race, but was followed out of the centerfield gate by the now-familiar Panther wearing a shirt that said “That Cat!.” The Panther chased Teddy around the warning track, catching him and bringing Teddy to the ground just before he hit the finish line. Video by YouTube user scubasteveo887.
Teddy blows relay race vs. Pirate mascots in Pittsburgh
On June 10, 2008, the Washington Nationals racing presidents took their first road trip with the team, visiting PNC Park in Pittsburgh for a 3-game road series vs. the Pirates. To kick off the series, George, Tom, Abe, and Teddy participated in a relay race against the Pirates’ own racing Pierogies. The Nationals’ presidents had a big lead at the turn, but anchor runner Teddy Roosevelt lost the race in the final leg after running the wrong way. Video by YouTube user psugradgirl.
Teddy is distracted from victory by a toy kangaroo
On June 21, 2008, Teddy took a big presidents race lead into the right field turn, but lost that lead when he ran into the corner of the outfield and emerged with a toy kangaroo. Abe Lincoln dashed by and won the race as Teddy attempted to hop to the finish line. Video by YouTube member VelocityAtrocity.
Teddy trips George & Tom, gets bumped by Abe
On June 24, 2008, things got ugly at Nationals Park as the racing presidents started ganging up on each other. After consecutive games in which Thomas Jefferson hip-checked Teddy, and Abe Lincoln was beaten by the other presidents, Teddy and Abe colluded to trip George and Tom in the outfield. Abe then raced Teddy to the finish, bumping him aside to take the presidents race victory.
Video by vimeo member tigerlilies.
Teddy is distracted by a person in a penguin costume.
At a Nationals game against the Los Angeles Angels on June 25, 2008, Teddy Roosevelt took a huge lead around the warning track once again, but as he approached the finish line, he was distracted by a person in a penguin costume, following him into the stands and giving up the lead to Abraham Lincoln. Video by Vimeo user Ed.
The Oriole Bird trips Teddy at the finish line.
On Friday, June 27, 2008, the Baltimore Orioles visited Nationals Park for an interleague series. In the opening game, Teddy took a big lead only to be tripped by Oriole mascot The Bird. The following inning, a “press conference” was held announcing an “unsanctioned race” to be held the next night between Teddy Roosevelt and The Bird. YouTube video by dagroovemastah.
Teddy Wins “unsanctioned race” vs. Orioles Bird.
A big crowd showed up on Saturday, June 28 to watch Teddy win his first race at Nationals Park against the imaginatively-named Baltimore Orioles mascot, The Bird. No other presidents were involved in this “unsanctioned race” (which did not count in the presidents race standings, according to the Presidents Racing Association of America). YouTube video by 3031oaktown.
Teddy Loses Shoe and is Hurdled by Abe.
Tuesday, July 8 was Abraham Lincoln’s free T-Shirt Tuesday, so expectations were high for an Abe victory; but Teddy took a huge lead over the other racing presidents and appeared headed for victory. Then as he approached the finish line Teddy lost his shoe and fell. Abe Lincoln hurdled over him to break the tape and win his 24th presidents race of the season. Video by Vimeo member Ed.
Teddy Roosevelt runs the wrong way.
On July 11, 2008 in a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Nationals Park, Teddy came out of the presidents race gate headed in the wrong direction, running toward left field instead of right field. He didn’t even make it around to the finish line. Video by YouTube member SchwartzVideo.
Abe wins relay vs. other three presidents.
In August, 2008, with the summer olympics looming and Abe Lincoln in the midst of an unprecedented presidents race winning streak, the Nationals featured a presidents race pitting George, Tom, and Teddy on a relay team vs. the speedy Abe. It was no contest. By the time anchor runner Teddy Roosevelt got the baton from Thomas Jefferson, Abe was crossing the finish line. Video by Vimeo member Ed.
Teddy pulls up lame again!
On August 15 with the NL champion Colorado Rockies in town, Teddy impressed the crowd once again with an early lead, but as he passed the right field bullpen, he pulled up lame and failed to even finish the race. Video by YouTube member timskywalker.
Teddy dresses as Manny Ramirez to welcome the Dodgers
In August, 2008, the Los Angeles Dodgers came to Nationals Park just after a blockbuster trade dealt slugger and future hall-of-famer Manny Ramirez to the team. On the opening night of the series, Teddy Roosevelt emerged for the presidents race wearing Manny Ramirez’s signature blue do-rag and dreadlocks. Teddy took the lead, but was passed after being distracted by enthusiastic fans. Video by YouTube member mercerboy.
Abe, Teddy, and Tom too tired to finish midnight 14th-inning race.
In September, 2008, with the season winding down and the Washington Nationals battling the San Diego Padres for the worst record in the National League, the two teams played a 14-inning game that lasted past midnight. In keeping with Nationals tradition, the racing presidents appeared for a second presidents race in the middle of the 14th inning, but Abe, Teddy, and Tom were too tired to finish, and let George take the tape uncontested. Video by YouTube member Swirlywand.
Presidents Race on Segways.
On the final Sunday game of September, 2008, the Washington Nationals racing presidents appeared from the centerfield gate riding Segway personal transporters. Teddy Roosevelt had the early lead, and with the Segways acting as a speed equalizer, a clear shot at taking home his first uncontested victory; but he lost control at the right field turn and spun in circles while the other racing presidents passed him by. Video by YouTube member jjqb08.
THANK YOU for this. We LOVE Teddy. We have been to several Nats games and fell hard for #26!
Love the blog. I live in the Washington area but I haven’t been to a Nats game yet but I eventually like to see one soon. Maybe when the Dodgers are in town. Dodgers are my favorite team. I’ve been hearing all about Teddy and the President’s Race on the net and around town. Giant pierogies huh? Good thing the Brewers aren’t in town yet, we may see a video of Teddy chasing the giant sausages around the field if they ever show up.
when will teddy win, when he decides to win.
Thanks for this blog. We love the Presidents Race and are big fans of Teddy and the Nats.
DJB