Jump to content

Presidents Race

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Theraven329 (talk | contribs) at 18:36, 26 January 2007 (→The Presidents in the Race). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Presidents Race is a promotional event held at every Washington Nationals home game at RFK Memorial Stadium during the fourth innings. This is being inspired and by honored from the Milwaukee Brewers' Sausage Race. The race feature four former Presidents of the United States on Mount Rushmore--George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, and Theodore Roosevelt.

It was originally computer generate on the video board to determine the outcome. When new ownership came during the changes after the All-Star Break, the race now became live-event and the presidents has become mascot-like characters. On July 21, 2006 the actually Presidents Race began when the four presidents started the race on the video board as usual, but instead of the usual procedure the presidents change course and headed towards RFK Stadium, from there four ten-foot tall presidents with large caricature heads coming out of first-base warning track, running down the first base line towards the finish line near the vistors' dugout. The Presidents Race became popular after that, despite the Nationals fifth-place losing season in 2006.

One running gag during the 2006 season is that Theodore Roosevelt ends up not winning the race. He would eventually try to win the race by cheating by riding a golf cart towards the finish line which would have resulted in a disqualification.

It is not yet determine whether the caricature-headed presidents will still be racing when moving to the new Nationals Ballpark or what kind of race-course setting they'll be racing when the ballpark opened in 2008.

The Presidents in the Race

All of the presidents in the race are from Mount Rushmore

  • George Washington-Founding father of the United States, and was named after the nation's capital
  • Abraham Linolin-Known as "Honest Abe", fought to abolish slavery, and started to give African-Americans equality, freedom, and rights during the Civil War
  • Thomas Jefferson-Only member in the Presidents Race to signed the Declaration of Independence and has a home in the University of Virginia campus (Charlottesville).
  • Theodore Roosevelt-Only member in the Presidents Race that was not elected (McKinley was assassinated in Buffalo), leader of the famous Rough Riders, and was named after a stuffed bear. (He's the only president that have not won a race)

Fans and Public Adress Announcer called them George, Abe, Tom, and Teddy (or Ted) for short

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Presidents_Race&oldid=103428991"