President Obama passed on throwing out the first pitch on opening night at the new Nationals Park. The POTUS probably didn't want to be associated with a perennial loser (The Nationals) in the middle of a financial meltdown. The man was in search of good vibrations, and the D.C. baseball club has enough trouble with grade school level spelling.
But Obama has decided to finally take the mound. He'll do so at the MLB All-Star game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on July 14. He will be the fourth President to throw out the first pitch at the All-Star game, joining John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. Ceremonial first pitches are as customary as trips to Camp David for U.S. Presidents. In fact, the first pitch tradition outdates the Presidential retreat by two decades. Every President since William Howard Taft in 1910 has thrown an first pitch at either Opening Day, the All-Star game or during a World Series.
Firing out a first pitch is fine, but that was more Bush 43's ball game. I mean, the man did own the Texas Rangers. Obama is more casual and cool than his predecessors, so maybe he should start a new tradition. We already know Obama is a baller; he hooped it up with UNC during his campaign and then picked the Tar Heels to go all the way. And, we're well aware of his fondness for golf. I think everyone has seen this shot of 44 setting up his swing during business hours. Obama will also serve as honorary of the President's Cup , slated to be played at San Francisco's Harding Park in October.
Next week the PGA Tour will roll into Washington, D.C. for Tiger Woods' AT&T National, a tournament that's becoming a 4th of July tradition of sorts. The host will be Congressional Country Club, the same course that will host the 2011 U.S. Open. It could be a once more and done deal between USGA and Congressional, at least Geoff Shackelford insinuated such in an article he recenlty wrote for Golf Digest.
"They're redoing the greens again, starting the project after next week's AT&T event and way too close to the 2011 date," Shackelford wrote. "None of that can make the USGA happy. Yes, it's great to go to Washington D.C. and President Obama's love of golf will almost guarantee a historic appearance, but this should be it. The club can host Tiger's event and the USGA can go somewhere better."
If that's the case, I think it would be awesome to see our President take a ceremonial drive to kick off the festivites at the '11 Open. There is a precedent, considering that George H.W. Bush hit a ceremonial tee shot at the AT&T in 2007. But why not have our able bodied leader of the free world take a rip, before he leaves office and his athleticism declines. Then we'll really see how the Mr. Obama handles pressure. He could even warm up by joining Tiger Woods for a Pro-Am somewhere along the way.
And whenever a new President takes office, whether it be in 2012, or 2016, they should keep this tradition going each year wherever the U.S. Open happens to take place. Mr. President, you have the honors...