Ceremonial First Pitches

President William Howard Taft was the first U.S. President to throw the ceremonial first pitch at a baseball game. As baseball's Opening Day nears, we are sharing images from the National Archives of past Presidents, First Ladies—and even a government mascot—and ceremonial pitches. Every U.S. President from William Howard Taft to John F. Kennedy threw … Continue reading Ceremonial First Pitches

Play Ball, Mr. President!

In honor of Opening Day for the 2013 baseball season, we’ve put together this gallery of baseball-related photos, documents, and artifacts from the holdings of the 13 Presidential Libraries of the National Archives. This summary of Presidential baseball history was compiled by James Kratsas, Deputy Director at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum. … Continue reading Play Ball, Mr. President!