Warren G. Harding

From BR Bullpen

Warren Gamaliel Harding

Throws Right

Born November 2, 1865 near Corsica, OH USA
Died August 2, 1923 in San Francisco, CA USA

As a boy, Warren G. Harding played baseball with future big-league shortstop Bob Allen. Later, he was co-owner of the minor league team in his hometown of Marion, Ohio. As President, he invited Babe Ruth to the White House several times.

Sports was an issue in the 1920 presidential campaign, according to the book "1920: The Year of the Six Presidents" (by author David Pietrusza, better known to baseball fans as a baseball writer). Harding was a golfer, but that was seen by the public as a rich man's sport, so Harding's handlers arranged for the Chicago Cubs to come play an exhibition game in Harding's home town. For competition, the New York Giants, Cincinnati Reds, and Cleveland Indians were all asked, but they all refused. Finally, a semi-pro team called the Kerrigan Tailors became the opposition to the Cubs, in a game played on September 2, 1920, and Harding briefly served as pitcher for the Kerrigan team, throwing three pitches. As part of the day, according to Pietruzsa's book, Harding addressed the Cubs about politics, using baseball metaphors.