On this day in 1910, Theodore Roosevelt gave his famous “Man in the Arena” speech at the Sorbonne, in Paris, France.
Roosevelt used the occasion to extol the virtues not of the critic, but of “the man who is actually in the arena,” who “if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
The speech established the philosophy that guided the Let Teddy Win movement since 2006, and provided locker room inspiration for the Nationals before a huge playoff victory in 2012.
To commemorate the 104th anniversary, the Rough Rider donned boxing gloves for Wednesday’s fourth inning race at Nationals Park.
Teddy entered the race from the bullpen and ambushed his opponents with a series of jabs as they approached the right field corner. But Abe Lincoln wasn’t phased, and the Great Emancipator was able to hold off a late charge from Roosevelt to take his third straight race.
Video courtesy of YouTube member lfahome
LET TEDDY WIN 