Yesterday we reported that Abe Lincoln had clinched at least a share of the 2011 presidents race title, but on Saturday night at Nationals Park, the title was put back into doubt as a pitcher’s duel and a leprechaun conspired to achieve the impossible and actually knock two games off Lincoln’s lead.
Trailing Abe Lincoln in the standings by five wins with five games to go, Thomas Jefferson was hanging by a thread with only an outside chance at a tie for the season; but for just the eighth time in team history, the Nationals took a home game into the 13th inning, forcing a second official presidents race to be run in the middle of the 13th.
The Sage of Monticello jumped on the opportunity and notched two victories in one day, improbably moving within three games of Abe with four remaining. Lincoln, who thought he needed just one victory to clinch the title, now suddenly needs two.
The Nationals were celebrating “Half Way to St. Patrick’s Day,” with green hats, beer and Irish-themed festivities throughout the park, so it should not have surprised Teddy Roosevelt that a leprechaun was in the house.
Yet that didn’t stop the Rough Rider from running the presidents race carrying a box of Lucky Charms.
With the inebriated crowd chanting “Teddy! Teddy!” in the fourth inning, the leprechaun appeared from the Nationals bullpen and tackled Roosevelt as he turned the outfield corner, clearing the way for Jefferson to take his first victory of the night.
In the 13th, Teddy quickly separated himself from the pack, but failed to notice that the finish line had been moved for the extra-inning affair. George, Tom, and Abe raced counter-clockwise toward the third base finish line, leaving Teddy all alone in frustration at the conspiracy that robbed him of another victory.
The baseball gods have now conspired to give Thomas Jefferson a shot at knocking Lincoln off his perch. If TJ can pull off another win Sunday, it will set up an exciting final showdown next weekend.
Videos courtesy of YouTube member lfahome
LET TEDDY WIN 