In a day of huge victories around the baseball world, perhaps none was as monumental as Teddy Roosevelt’s first win in the Presidents Race at Nationals Park. With an assist from the Philly Faux-natic bullying his opponents, the hydrocephalic Roosevelt busted through the finish line like it was a turn-of-the-century trust. He spoke so softly it was inaudible, and carried gold kicks - thanks to his new deal with Under Armour.
While many cheered the end of Roosevelt’s seven-year losing streak, others worried that the win might jinx the Nats’ magical season. If Teddy could win the Presidents Race, why couldn’t an 88-win wild card team knock off the Nationals in the first round? Or worse, could a fired-up Roosevelt break up the Washington presidential mascot monopoly and start the Bull Moose Race in Baltimore? (Teddy would race a bull and a moose.) Could an empowered Faux-natic return and menace Jayson Werth and Bryce Harper?
It’s a feel-good story, but perhaps the Nationals’ management could have learned from William Howard Taft’s example that riling up Teddy Roosevelt is a dangerous thing to do. Even with all their big sticks, the Nationals’ post-season could be a rough ride indeed.
