Trivia Error in Game

[ignats75]

So, I am playing a game as GM only and while waiting for the day to advance, the game gives interesting facts and quotes. So this one came across just now:

Woodrow Wilson was the first pitcher to throw out the first pitch at a major league game in 1915(?)

(I forget the year)

I knew this immediately was wrong, but looked it up to confirm that I was right. I was. William Howard Taft was the first US President to throw out a ceremonial first pitch in 1910.

He was also responsible for the tradition of the 7th inning stretch. Being a lard-ass, he stiffened up sitting a the game. So between innings in he 7th he stood up to stretch his legs. As was customary back then, the entire crowd stood up in respect to him. It became a tradition.

[pstrickert]

Taft is the name in the database, so it must've been corrected some time ago.

[Chico Guilbault]

I stiffen up sitting at a game...guess that makes me a lard-ass too!

[joefromchicago]

Originally Posted by ignats75

He was also responsible for the tradition of the 7th inning stretch. Being a lard-ass, he stiffened up sitting a the game. So between innings in he 7th he stood up to stretch his legs. As was customary back then, the entire crowd stood up in respect to him. It became a tradition.

A fun story but the facts don't support it. I've read accounts of the famous "Merkle Game" played between the Cubs and Giants in 1908 (before Taft's election in November of that year) and they talk about the fans at the Polo Grounds standing for the "lucky seventh" inning. I'm not sure when the practice of standing for the seventh inning started, but it was before Taft came into office.

EDIT: I believe Taft was the first president to throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the season, while Wilson was the first president to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a World Series. That might be the cause of the confusion here.

[thklein]

Little known fact, when Taft threw out the first pitch, there was an assassination attempt, but he was saved by Enrico Palazzo, who had sung the national anthem and was serving as an umpire. The crowd chanted "Enrico Palazzo" in appreciation.

[prisonerno6]

Originally Posted by thklein

Little known fact, when Taft threw out the first pitch, there was an assassination attempt, but he was saved by Enrico Palazzo, who had sung the national anthem and was serving as an umpire. The crowd chanted "Enrico Palazzo" in appreciation.

Sorry could not help myself and had to post.

The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)

Baseball Bloopers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okPgKHMDxIQ

The American National Anthem - https://youtu.be/sxHnXajIex4

Naked Gun Baseball - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYyv8bOHUKg

The 3rd Out - https://youtu.be/Tn4LQyKUQMk

Saving the Queen - https://youtu.be/cP1ElZzgWqU

[zappa1]

Well if it says Woodrow Wilson was the first pitcher...…..etc., does that mean he was a pitcher maybe in the minors or in school and therefore he was the first one of those to do it?

[joefromchicago]

Here's the trivia item:

Who was the first U.S. president to attend a World Series game? Woodrow Wilson (in 1915).

Move along, nothing to see here.

[NoOne]

Originally Posted by Chico Guilbault

I stiffen up sitting at a game...guess that makes me a lard-ass too!

well... or some kind of baseball or spectating fetish

but, whatever floats your boat within restrictions of being in public, of course.