With fans far and wide clamoring for a Teddy Roosevelt victory in presidents race #500, the Washington Nationals sent a clear and decisive message Saturday night:
Don’t even think about it.
A sellout crowd of 42,662 was on hand in anticipation of the 500th running of the fabled Nationals Park presidents race, and the Nationals used the occasion to put a stop to all speculation about Teddy’s fate.
When the gates opened for the fourth inning race, Roosevelt took the field first, trailed only by Abe Lincoln. Teddy held a big lead through the home stretch, but George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were waiting there in ambush.
Washington got there first, leaving his feet to deliver a devastating head-to-head hit. If it were the NFL, the father of our country would have been issued a 3-game suspension. A chorus of boos rained down from the stands as Abe Lincoln crossed the finish line.
“That is bush league, bro,” said Nationals play-by-play man Bob Carpenter on the MASN broadcast. Color commentator Ray Knight added “That is weak.”
From the stands to the broadcast booth, the Nationals’ message was received, and it was less than welcome.
Finish line photos courtesy of Jenn Jenson/Nats Fangirl
Overhead Twitter photo by @Darastar
Finish line video courtesy YouTube member lfahome
LET TEDDY WIN 
wheres tom
found tom. WHEN WILL TEDDY WIN
I was attending Nationals Park for the second time last Saturday, and I must say that I was not amused by the “Presidents Race”. To make President Roosevelt the butt of a shameless marketing joke is just plain wrong. President Roosevelt’s face is on Mt. Rushmore because he was one of our great presidents, one who was responsible for the establishment of our National Parks system. Young people at the game are being taught to see Teddy as a loser and a buffoon. I don’t believe that the popularity of your race would be diminished if he were allowed to win the occasional race. I’m sure that in Milwaukee (from whom you obviously ripped off the concept of the race) there is not a particular sausage that can never win the race.
A joke is a joke, but you have played this one out in your endless search for the almighty buck. Call it quits now and show our 26th president a little respect.
Sincerely,
Tom Mannion
San Francisco, CA
Tom,
Couldn’t agree more. That’s why Let Teddy Win exists!