It was just like old times, and not in a good way.
Baseball’s opening day is known as a time of hope, when records are wiped clean and fans look to the future with optimism.
But in the season’s inaugural presidents race Monday at Nationals Park, it seemed like 2012 all over again.
Nats fans had celebrated on social media when it was announced that recent additions to the race — Taft, Coolidge, and Hoover — had “retired” to the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, and they got what they were hoping for, as for the first time in five years it was back to the Rushmore Four — George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt.
But there was an unexpected extra dose of déjà vu for Teddy Roosevelt fans, as the other presidents conspired to rob Teddy of the victory, and revived memories of The Bull Moose’s historic 526-race losing streak.
Teddy had the lead in the home stretch, but Washington and Jefferson pushed him from behind, celebrating with a high five as Abe raced by for the win.
In another nod to the old days, it appears that the presidents race champions belt has been retired. Rather than being awarded a belt, Lincoln simply carried the checkered flag off the field.
Video for LetTeddyWin.com by lfahome
LET TEDDY WIN 