Evening star., 1953-04-03

was ardent golfer, but he didn't allow it
to interfere with his presence at the ball
park opening day. Francis s.nn
If anything according to those who recall Harding on
the links he was more adept golfer than Ike But appar
emily HardngS devotion at least equally divided between
baseball and golf. After ALL Harding had minor
league team in Marion, Ohio
CLARK GRIFFITH, ss-year-old president of the Mats
admits he aback President Eisenhower told
him the bad yesterday Gris visit to 1900
Pennsylvania avenue AS usual Griffith bore gs-a gold
all major league for the President
5000 alligator purse for Mrs. Eisenhower.
Td heard that the President might attend"
Gr1th admitted "but didn't pay attention Mr.
Eisenhower was very nice about It, though. He told he
needed vacation that he'd throw out ball when we
play the Athletics here April and that Vice President
Nixon would substitute for him on opening day. guess
can't complain"
Grif however, Eisenhower plans constituted a.
disappointment Back in 1872 the Old Fox naugurated the
custom of having the President throw the first ball
Hence basebals claim to the national pastie" tag And
year after except in emergencies Chief Executives
come to regard sort of command performance rit
ual familiar to millions of baseball fans.
Not all of the Presidents embraced the idea with enthu
the ceremony but he wasn't much OF FAM Griffith to this
day wnces when he recalls Coodgs early departures
he left after the first inning On the other hand
1dge not only remained to the end bitter sweet but
ported frequently at ball parks other occasions
even after she ceased to be the First Lady.
WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT was the first President to
launch ball game although it wasn't opening day.
Weighing 245 pounds Taft did not look he had been
matter of record that he watched the Mats in 1910 and 1911
Then in 1872 Griffith arrived the Washington
BY some miracle the Senators under Grifith jumped
from the cellar to second place in 1872 winning IT. straight
games the Intrigued President Taft was on hand
in midseason when the club returned home.
Grin, who had insured his managerial job by buying
stock in the club with borrowed money wore CLINT
in his eye he observed the entrance of Taft Grabbing
baseball he walked to the Presidential box thrust
1t into the Chief Executives hand.
Will you throw out the first ball. Mr. President?" he
asked smile his face and with his fingers caressng
the ball, Taft heaved toward the field with professional
snap.
GRIFFITH WAS RADIANT. The White House, no less
had blessed the game The following spring the Old
knocking the door of 1900 Pennsylvania with
formal invitation to the President woodrow Wilson, to
duplicate the throw opening day.
Oddly it Golfer Harding whom Griffith rates the
most knowledgeabe of all Presidents while ball park
II the scorecard he kept Griffith ut
eSSonal those in the box the margins noted
bets he'd made with members Of his cabinet"
Wilson, who became rabid fan after leaving the White
House. of Grf1ths avorites. "He sick man"
the Mats boss recalls so ned remain in his limousine parked
along the rghed line We'd detail a catcher
ward of foul balls"
BOTH FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT and Harry Truman were
pets Of Griffith too eight appearances as an
openingg pitcher" exceeded only the immortal
Walter Johnsons ~ starts He also posed problems
than other Presidents in that FDR required bodyguards
and that special had to be built to expedite his
trance to the Presidential box
He'd often say" Griffith recalls "Td out
often, Clark, but I'm such a nuisance"
Truman delighted in opening the baseball seasons. In
addition he frequent fan less ceremonial
Once when the Washington Chapter Writer'S
Association sponsored might" for Griffith, Truman euo
gized his fellow MSSourian in mpromptu speech from
his box
So touched Grihath that he wept openly. In the
wake of this unexpected setback by the President
Griffith is philosophical Were sold out for opening day.
anyway he says Maybe by April g. when Ike has prom
ised to come out we'll need a box-ofhce draw"