The 45th President of the United States, Donald Trump, has been a controversial figure since he took office in January 2017. From his policies to his rhetoric, Trump has consistently made headlines and churned out a steady stream of divisive opinions. One question that has come up over the years is whether Trump ever threw a ceremonial first pitch at a baseball game. In this article, we’ll take a look at the history of Trump’s involvement with baseball and whether or not he has ever taken the mound for a ceremonial first pitch.
Trump’s Relationship with Baseball
Trump has had a long history with baseball, which dates back to his childhood. As a young boy, Trump played Little League Baseball and even earned a spot on the team in his neighborhood of Queens, New York. Trump was also a fan of the game, often attending New York Yankees games and even wrote a letter to the team’s then-owner George Steinbrenner in 1973, asking him to give him a job with the team.
Trump also had a close relationship with the Yankees’ legendary shortstop, Derek Jeter. In 2003, Trump presented Jeter with the “Sportsman of the Year” award at the ESPYs. And in 2017, Trump presented Jeter with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Trump Throwing the First Pitch
Despite Trump’s deep ties to baseball, he has never actually thrown a ceremonial first pitch at a baseball game. Trump has attended many baseball games over the years, including the 2017 World Series, but he has never taken the mound to throw the first pitch.
In fact, Trump’s first pitch might have come in 2015, when he appeared at a charity softball game for the Wounded Warrior Project. Trump attended the game and took the mound to throw the ceremonial first pitch. However, the pitch was more of a lob than a throw, and it fell far short of home plate.
Notable First Pitch Throwers
Trump is not the only president to have never thrown a ceremonial first pitch at a baseball game. In fact, the tradition of presidents throwing the first pitch goes all the way back to William Howard Taft in 1910. Since then, many presidents have thrown the first pitch at baseball games, including Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush.
However, there are some presidents who have never thrown a ceremonial first pitch at a baseball game. These presidents include Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, and Barack Obama.
Other Notable First Pitch Throwers
In addition to presidents, there have been a number of other notable people who have thrown the first pitch at a baseball game. These include celebrities such as Justin Timberlake, Tom Hanks, and Dwayne Johnson. Athletes such as Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James have also thrown first pitches at baseball games.
Trump’s Involvement with Baseball
Despite never throwing a ceremonial first pitch, Trump has remained involved with baseball. In 2017, Trump attended the World Series, where he watched the Houston Astros take on the Los Angeles Dodgers. Trump also took the opportunity to throw out the ceremonial first pitch of the Little League World Series in 2018.
Trump has also been involved in the business side of baseball. In 2010, Trump purchased the rights to the Buffalo Bisons, a minor league baseball team. Trump was also a part-owner of the New Jersey Generals, a team in the United States Football League.
Reaction to Trump’s Involvement with Baseball
Trump’s involvement with baseball has been met with mixed reactions. Many fans have expressed their displeasure with Trump’s involvement, citing his divisive policies and rhetoric. Others have praised his commitment to the game, noting his long history with baseball and his attempts to promote the sport.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Donald Trump has never thrown a ceremonial first pitch at a baseball game. Despite this, Trump has a long history with the sport, having played Little League Baseball as a child and having attended numerous baseball games over the years. Trump has also been involved with the business side of baseball, having purchased the rights to the Buffalo Bisons and having been a part-owner of the New Jersey Generals. Trump’s involvement with baseball has been met with mixed reactions, with some fans expressing their displeasure and others praising his commitment to the sport.