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.

Scroll below or skip to:
2006 Presidents Race Videos
2007 Presidents Race Videos
2008 Presidents Race Videos
2009 Presidents Race Videos

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Presidents Race Videos – 2006 Season

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Presidents Race Videos – 2007 Season

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Presidents Race Videos – 2008 Season

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 .

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Teddy visits Class-A Potomac Nationals, beats Uncle Slam.

With the big league Nationals on the road, Teddy Roosevelt visited the Class A minor league affiliate Potomac Nationals in Woodbridge, Virginia on July 5, 2008. An exhibition race pitted Teddy against the Potomac Nationals mascot Uncle Slam. Teddy took a big lead then pulled up and coasted home for the victory. Video by YouTube member lfahome.

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ESPN Interviews Teddy and Stan Kasten.

ESPN’s First Take features an interview with Washington Nationals president Stan Kasten and racing president Teddy Roosevelt about Teddy’s winless streak, and shows footage from many of Teddy’s mishaps during the 2008 season. Video by YouTube member gameopsguru.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Presidents Race Videos – 2009 Season

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Presidents Race Auditions, February 2009

The Washington Nationals continued their tradition of holding racing president auditions at Nationals Park during Presidents Day Weekend in February, 2009. In 2009, seventy finalists were invited to take their turns as George, Tom, or Abe, but once again, Teddy was a no-show. These reports from WTOP News and Washingtontimes.com include interviews with contestants and with Entertainment Coordinator Tom Davis.

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Presidents Race on Ice Skates.

The Nats’ racing presidents kicked off the 2009 Spring Training season on Presidents Day with a trip to Long Island, New York. The first-ever presidents race on ice skates was held between periods of a New York Islanders game at Nassau Coliseum. Teddy gave a valiant effort but was knocked to the ice several times before George Washington skated away with the victory.

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Tom trips in photo finish. Result reversed on replay.

On April 16, Teddy built an early lead but faltered in the home stretch, letting Abe Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson race ahead to a photo finish. Tom fell at the tape (or was he tripped by Abe?), and the victory was called for Lincoln, but after video review it was announced that the win was granted to Thomas Jefferson. Video by YouTube member Rockthered8.

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Jefferson leads wire-to-wire on misspelled uniform night

This video from the season’s 3rd home game provides a close up view as Teddy brings up the rear, leading fans to wonder if 2009 is going to bring more and more of the same for #26. Video courtesy of YouTube member lfahome.

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Teddy distracted by a juggling clown.

During a rare Saturday day game against the Florida Marlins on April 18, a clown appeared along the centerfield warning track, and distracted Teddy during the presidents race. As the clown dropped his pants and juggled rings, Teddy clapped and jumped up and down like a toddler. Abe Lincoln raced by and paced the field for the victory.

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Thomas Jefferson takes down Abe Lincoln in the outfield

On Sunday, April 19, George Washington led wire-to-wire, but as Tom and Abe battled for third place, Tom slammed Abe into the outfield wall, taking him down. Abe never crossed the finish line. Video by YouTube user TheTeddyRoosevelt.

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After rain delay, Teddy races with an umbrella.

After a long rain delay on April 20, Teddy jumped out in front but was quickly passed by the other racing presidents as he struggled with a comically small umbrella. Video courtesy of Bree Stevens.

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Presidents race with hockey sticks.

With the Washington Capitals on the road for a playoff series vs. the New York Rangers, the Washington Nationals racing presidents ran the race carrying hockey sticks. The Capitals’ eagle mascot Slapshot sat in for Nats mascot Screech to wave the flag at the finish line. Abe Lincoln pulled up lame early in the race and limped to the finish line. Video courtesy of YouTube member lfahome.

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Presidents race blindfolded. Teddy runs the wrong way.

On May 1st with the St. Louis Cardinals in town, the Washington Nationals held the first-ever blindfolded presidents race. Teddy ran the wrong way from the start. Lincoln and Washington bumped into each other (and the outfield wall), but Thomas Jefferson’s blindfold slipped off and he took the tape uncontested. Video courtesy of YouTube member lfahome.

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After filly wins Preakness, “Philly” runs with the presidents.

On May 16th, filly Rachel Alexandra wore #13 to become the first filly to win the Preakness Stakes in 85 years. Just a couple of hours later, with the Philadelphia Phillies in town, a “Philly” entered the presidents race sporting #13and nearly beat Abe to the finish. Video courtesy of YouTube member lfahome.

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Teddy collapses.

On May 17th, Teddy imitated the 2009 Nationals bullpen and staked a big lead only to collapse with the finish line in sight. Video courtesy of YouTube member lfahome.

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Pittsburgh’s pierogies visit, are tackled by That Cat.

The Pittsburgh Pirates visited Nationals Park for a 4-game series and brought along the racing pierogies from PNC Park’s Great Pierogie Race for a series of matches with and against DC’s racing presidents. In the series opener, two of the visitors staked a big lead but the pierogies were clotheslined by That Cat, who emerged from the stands along the first base line. Video courtesy Flickr member Charles Diaz.

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Presidents team with pierogies for 3-legged race.

On May 20, with the Pittsburgh Pirates in town, each racing president teamed with one of Pittsburgh’s racing pierogies in a painfully slow 3-legged race. Teddy and Sauerkraut Saul lost the lead when they tripped and fell, letting Abe Lincoln and Jalapeño Hannah take the tape. Video courtesy of Flickr member Mike Hill.

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Orioles Bird tackles Teddy, then gets leved himself.

With the Baltimore Orioles in town for the annual “Battle of the Beltways,” Teddy had a huge lead when the Orioles Bird mascot lept from the stands and tackled him. George was right behind to get revenge on The Bird. Video courtesy of Bree Stevens.

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Teddy gets revenge against the Orioles Bird.

A day after getting tackled by the Orioles Bird, Teddy got his revenge, slamming the Orioles mascot into the outfield wall. Video by YouTube member DCSportFan.

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View of the race from behind home plate.

This video courtesy of YouTube member lfahome shows the Washington Nationals president race from the perspective of the presidents club seats behind home plate. That’s Hall of Famer Randy Johnson of the San Francisco Giants on the mound, in the middle of pitching a gem that just happened to be his 300th career victory, June 4, 2009.

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Abe Lincoln rejects the “Let Teddy Win” movement.

With the Mets in town on June 7, 2009, Abe Lincoln jumped out to a huge lead and made a bee line for the first base line, where somebody in the stands was holding up a “Let Teddy Win” sign. Abe ripped the sign in half, then held up his own that said “Make Teddy Earn It! Video courtesy of Anderson Hernandez Contingency.

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George Washington trips, argues, gets ejected.

In a June 20 game vs. the Toronto Blue Jays, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson fought for the lead from wire to wire, before George collapsed at the finish line. The umpires then ejected him for arguing.

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George Washington sits out suspension

A day after getting ejected for arguing, George Washington serves a 1-game suspension and sits out the race. Teddy fails to capitalize.

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Teddy races on a unicycle

With the Boston Red Sox in town for a 3-game series, Teddy Roosevelt rroad a unicycle to open the presidents race. Unfortunately, Teddy wasn’t able to pick up much speed and his head start vanished quickly.

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Teddy throws a Boston Tea Party, Abe’s feet are on fire.

In one of the strangest presidents races of the year, Teddy failed to emerge on the field, and instead appeared on the outfield scoreboard kicking over boxes of tea. The other presidents stopped to watch Teddy for a while before Abe bolted ahead to win uncontested. Abe’s post-victory celebration was hardly modest. Video courtesy of YouTube member lfahome.

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Presidents run relay race on Segways & bicycle taxis

A record standing room only crowd watched the Nationals racing presidents compete in a relay race featuring Segway personal transporters and pedicab bicycle taxis. The finish line was moved to centerfield, where Tom came from behind to beat Teddy in the anchor leg.

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Teddy and That Cat team up to tackle the other presidents

That Cat returned to Nationals Park to once again team up with Teddy Roosevelt. As the other presidents entered the Nationals Park field for the race, Teddy and That Cat were waiting for them on the outfield warning track, and clothesline-tackled each of them; but George, who had been tackled first, got up quickly and raced ahead to win uncontested. Video by YouTube member TheTeddyRoosevelt.

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Teddy wears Santa costume, throws toys into the stands

On July 17, the U.S. Marine Reserves were collecting toy donations at Nationals Park for their “Christmas in July” program. Teddy Roosevelt emerged for the presidents race wearing a Santa Claus outfit. He took a big lead, but slowed down when he began throwing stuff animals into the stands along the first base line.

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Nationals racing presidents salute Michael Jackson

On July 3, the Nationals had their first home game after the death of singer Michael Jackson. Instead of the usual music, the presidents raced to Jackson’s “Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough” wearing black shoes and a white glove. Teddy stopped to dance, while winner Thomas Jefferson did a celebratory moonwalk for the crowd. Video by YouTube member TheTeddyRoosevelt.

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Teddy wears astronaut “helmet” to commemorate moon walk

On the 40th anniversary of the first U.S. moon landing, Teddy Roosevelt commemorated the event by wearing a makeshift astronaut helmet crafted from aluminum foil. Unfortunately for Teddy, his performance in the race appeared to be a zero-gravity affair. Video by YouTube member TheTeddyRoosevelt.

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Teddy rides motor scooter to victory, is disqualified

On July 26, Abe Lincoln staked an early presidents race lead, but Teddy Roosevelt emerged late from the starting gate aboard a motor scooter. #26 quickly zoomed past the other presidents, and broke the tape to thundering cheers from the Nationals Park crowd. Unfortunately, presidents race judge Screech swooped quickly in to disqualify Teddy for riding a motorcycle, and declared Abe Lincoln the winner. Video by YouTube member TheTeddyRoosevelt.

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Teddy is leveled by racing pierogie in Pittsburgh

On July 31, the Nationals racing presidents paid their 2nd annual visit to Pittsburgh’s PNC Park for the Nats’ series vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates. The presidents joined Pittsburgh’s Great Pierogie Race by breaking into teams and running a relay. Teddy Roosevelt was running anchor for his team when Potato Pete ran onto the field and leveled him to the ground. The vicious tackle was played repeatedly on ESPN Sportscenter and led to the highest-ever single-day visitor count to the Let Teddy Win blog.

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Teddy gets bumped, spins and runs the wrong way

On August 6, Teddy Roosevelt staked a big early lead, but Thomas Jefferson chased him from behind, bumped Teddy and spun him around. Teddy started running the wrong way, ending up back at the centerfield starting line as the other 3 presidents finished the race. Video by YouTube user TheTeddyRoosevelt.

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Teddy dresses as the Lone Ranger to William Tell Overture

On August 8, special guest Glenn Donnellan, “The Electric Slugger”, played the WIlliam Tell Overture on his violin baseball bat as the Nationals racing presidents took the field for the 4th-inning race. Teddy Roosevelt emerged last, dressed as the Lone Ranger with mask, sash, and a toy stick horse, but failed to catch Thomas Jefferson for the win. Video by YouTube user TheTeddyRoosevelt.

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Thomas Jefferson pulls a hamstring, Teddy fails to capitalize.

On August 9, the presidents pack separated quickly, with Thomas Jefferson taking a huge lead and Teddy Roosevelt holding a solid second. Approaching the right field corner, Tom pulled up lame with a hamstring injury, and Teddy quickly passed him. Teddy appeared poised to take his first victory, but Abe raced from behind to steal the win. Video by YouTube user TheTeddyRoosevelt.

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Teddy stops mid-race to update his Twitter status.

On August 19, Teddy took an early lead but stopped to post an update to Twitter. Those following Teddy26Nats on Twitter saw his update: “Im in the lead! no one can stop me!”. Teddy stopped to Tweet once more before finally losing the lead. Video by YouTube user lfalbisu.

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Presidents mock Milwaukee with the “Un-racing Sausages”

With the Milwaukee Brewers in town for a 4-game series in August, the Nationals racing presidents staged a protest against Milwaukee’s refusal to let their famous racing sausages get on the field with George, Tom, Abe, and Teddy. The Nats put fake racing sausages on the field against the presidents. The “un-sausages” were abused the presidents for four consecutive games. Video by YouTube user TheTeddyRoosevelt.

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Fans cheer Teddy’s return from the injured list

During a Labor Day weekend series vs. the Florida Marlins, the Nationals Park P.A. announcer informed the crowd that Teddy Roosevelt would not be racing and was listed as “day-to-day” due to an injury sustained during pre-game warm-ups. The next day, Teddy was back in the lineup and was celebrated by some of his loyal fans who captured it on video. Video by YouTube user lfahome.

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Tom dives, collides with Abe in exciting finish

On September 9, Abe Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson raced neck-and-neck to the finish line, with Tom diving for the tape and Abe collapsing on top of him. Thanks to YouTube user lfahome for capturing the exciting finish.

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George tackles Abe Lincoln short of the finish line

On September 24, Teddy Roosevelt was reportedly sitting out with “a hamstring injury”, leaving just Abe, Tom, and George to duke it out for the presidents race. Duke it out they did, as George Washington surprised Abe Lincoln by tackling him short of the finish line. Video courtesy of YouTube user lfahome.

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ABC News visits Nationals Park, interviews Teddy’s crazy fans, and documents Teddy’s penultimate loss of 2009

ABC News White House correspondent Karen Travers attended the final series of the season to document the Let Teddy Win movement for the nationwide TV audience. On September 29, her report captured some of Teddy’s biggest supporters as George, Tom and Abe mocked Teddy with a post-race bunny hop.

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Abe shows his anger as George fixes final race

In the last race of the 2009 season, Thomas Jefferson was looking to pass George Washington for 2nd-place in the final standings, but George arranged to move the finish line to the other side of the field. Abe and Tom were flummoxed when the finish line was not in the usual spot. George took the victory, and YouTube user lfahome captured Abe’s anger at the end. ‘Roid rage, perhaps?