By: History.com Editors

1910

Taft becomes first U.S. president to throw out first pitch at MLB game

History.com Editors

Published: August 25, 2021

Last Updated: January 24, 2025

On April 14, 1910, President William Howard Taft becomes the first president to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Major League Baseball game. The historic toss on opening day is to star Walter Johnson, the Washington Senators' starting pitcher against the Philadelphia Athletics at National Park in the nation's capital.

Senators owner Clark Griffith had wanted a U.S. president to throw out the first pitch for years. "In President William Howard Taft," wrote Baseball Almanac in 2003, "[Griffith] found a genuine sports fan and willing, if unaware, participant in an ingenious public relations move. By convincing Taft to throw out the ceremonial first pitch of the season, Griffith hoped to permanently fix the presidential seal of approval on baseball as the national pastime once and for all."

A President's First Pitch Helped Heal the Nation

Just after 9/11, President George W. Bush sent a message of perseverance to all Americans, with a perfect pitch

Taft and the others in the presidential party—which included vice president James S. Sherman—stayed for the entire game, even after a line drive by Philadelphia’s Frank "Home Run" Baker bounced off Secretary of the Senate Charles G. Bennett's head.

Johnson, who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936, took a no-hitter into the seventh inning before giving up a double to Baker. It was Philadelphia's only hit in the Senators' 3-0 win.

The president enjoyed the game, according to reports. "Mr. Taft was as interested as all the rest," wrote the Associated Press. "He knows Base Ball thoroughly and is up on all the finer points of the game."

In 1911, Taft returned to throw out the first pitch on opening day but did not come back in 1912 because of the sinking of the Titanic. By the time baseball season rolled around in 1913, Taft was out of office, and Woodrow Wilson was president. Wilson continued the first-pitch practice, as most presidents have since.

Timeline

Also on This Day in History

Discover more of the major events, famous births, notable deaths and everything else history-making that happened on April 14th

1775

First American abolition society founded in Philadelphia

The Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage, the first American society dedicated to the cause of abolition, is founded in Philadelphia on April 14, 1775. The society changes its name to the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery and the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage in 1784.

1828

“Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language” is printed

Noah Webster, a Yale-educated lawyer with an avid interest in language and education, publishes his American Dictionary of the English Language on April 14, 1828.

1865

John Wilkes Booth shoots Abraham Lincoln

President Abraham Lincoln is shot in the head at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. on April 14, 1865. The assassin, actor John Wilkes Booth, shouted, “Sic semper tyrannis! (Ever thus to tyrants!) The South is avenged,” as he jumped onto the stage and fled on horseback. Lincoln died the next morning.

John Wilkes Booth jumping from the booth after assassinating President Lincoln at Ford's Theatre on April 11, 1865.

1918

American pilots engage in first dogfight over the western front

Six days after being assigned for the first time to the western front, two American pilots from the U.S. First Aero Squadron engage in America’s first aerial dogfight with enemy aircraft. In a battle fought almost directly over the Allied Squadron Aerodome at Toul, France, U.S. fliers Douglas Campbell and Alan Winslow succeeded in shooting down two German two-seaters. By the end of May, Campbell had shot down five enemy aircraft, making him the first American to qualify as a “flying ace” in World War I.

1932

Loretta Lynn is born

Loretta Lynn, a singer who greatly expanded the opportunities for women in the male-dominated world of country-western music, is born in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky on April 14, 1932.

1935

“Black Sunday” Dust Bowl storm strikes

In what came to be known as “Black Sunday,” one of the most devastating storms of the 1930s Dust Bowl era sweeps across the region on April 14, 1935. High winds kicked up clouds of millions of tons of dirt and dust so dense and dark that some eyewitnesses believed the world was coming to an end.

1944

Explosion on cargo ship rocks Bombay, India

The cargo ship Fort Stikine explodes in a berth in the docks of Bombay, India (now known as Mumbai), killing 1,300 people and injuring another 3,000 on April 14, 1944. As it occurred during World War II, some initially claimed that the massive explosion was caused by Japanese sabotage; in fact, it was a tragic accident.

1960

Montreal Canadiens win fifth consecutive Stanley Cup

On April 14, 1960, the Montreal Canadiens defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs to win the Stanley Cup for a record fifth year in a row.

1969

Katharine Hepburn and Barbra Streisand tie for Best Actress Oscar

On April 14, 1969, during the first internationally televised Oscars ceremony, Ingrid Bergman exclaims “It’s a tie!” upon opening the Best Actress envelope—the first tie in a major acting category in three decades. The award went to both Katharine Hepburn, for her turn as Eleanor of Aquitaine in The Lion in Winter, and Barbra Streisand, for her debut performance in Funny Girl.

Barbra Streisand with the Oscar she won for Best Actress in Funny Girl. That same year (1969) Katharine Hepburn also won Best Actress, a rare split decision.

1986

U.S. bombs terrorist and military targets in Libya

On April 14, 1986, the United States launches air strikes against Libya in retaliation for the Libyan sponsorship of terrorism against American troops and citizens. The raid, which began shortly before 7 p.m. EST (2 a.m., April 15 in Libya), involved more than 100 U.S. Air Force and Navy aircraft, and was over within an hour. Five military targets and “terrorism centers” were hit, including the headquarters of Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi.

1988

Soviets agree to withdraw from Afghanistan

Representatives of the USSR, Afghanistan, the United States and Pakistan sign an agreement calling for the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan. In exchange for an end to the disputed Soviet occupation, the United States agreed to end its arms support for the Afghan anti-Soviet factions, and Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed not to interfere in each other’s affairs.

1996

Greg Norman blows six-shot Masters lead in epic collapse

On April 14, 1996, third-round leader Greg Norman loses a six-shot lead in the final round of the Masters golf tournament and finishes second—one of the worst collapses in sports history. Nick Faldo wins the green jacket, finishing five strokes ahead of Norman. "I played like a bunch of [expletive]," the Australian tells reporters afterward. "I just didn't get the job done."

Related Articles

See All Articles
Basketball.
Sports

Who Invented Basketball?

A Canadian is to thank for one of America’s favorite pastimes.

Sports

Hot Springs, Grapefruits and the Babe: A History of Spring Training

From the resort town that started it all to the astounding feat of strength by a legend of the sport, here are four stories you might not know about the origin of spring training.

Basketball, football and baseball are the three most popular sports in the United States.
Sports

The Origins of 7 Popular Sports

Their backstories may surprise you.

A circa-1910 image of Jim Thorpe in his football uniform / Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Sports

How Jim Thorpe Became America’s First Multi-Sport Star

The Native American was an Olympic medalist, NFL standout and a MLB player — he even won a ballroom dancing championship.

See All Articles

About the author

History.com Editors

HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. Articles with the “HISTORY.com Editors” byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan, Matt Mullen and Christian Zapata.

Fact Check

We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.

Citation Information

Article title
Taft becomes first U.S. president to throw out first pitch at MLB game
Website Name
History
Date Accessed
March 22, 2025
Publisher
A&E Television Networks
Last Updated
January 24, 2025
Original Published Date
August 25, 2021

History Every Day

Sign Up for "This Day in History"

Uncover fascinating moments from the past every day! Learn something new with key events in history, from the American Revolution to pop culture, crime and more.

By submitting your information, you agree to receive emails from HISTORY and A+E Global Media. You can opt out at any time. You must be 16 years or older and a resident of the United States.

More details: Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Contact Us