There is a presidential tradition that the sitting president calls the head coach, or manager, of the team that wins a major college or professional championship. Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle had to wait awhile before his call came through
Last year, Barack Obama threw out the first pitch at the Washington Nationals home opener, continuing a tradition of Presidents throwing out first pitches that stretches back to William Howard Taft in 1910.
This year, however, Obama is taking a pass on getting the season started with a ceremonial first pitch. Instead, recently unemployed talk show host Larry King will do the honor before the Nationals’ Thursday-afternoon match-up with the Atlanta Braves. Keep reading for the full story and some presidential first pitches.