Nationals mascot claims historic victory
The Presidents Race had been run 356 times during Washington Nationals home games since 2006. The mascot likenesses of the four presidents of Mount Rushmore; George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, and Teddy Roosevelt have raced around for six years.
Not once, in more than 500 attempts, had Teddy won.
Until Wednesday, October 3, 2012. Remember where you are, so you can remember where you were ... when the Nationals jinxed their playoff run.
Really, Washington? The team is headed to the playoffs for the first time in its young history, won the NL East, and could have the best record in baseball at the end of the night.
All this good karma, and Teddy puts it to the test. Jayson Werth couldn't trip him again? Stephen Strasburg's pitch count is so strict he couldn't throw one more well-aimed pitch at Roosevelt's giant foam head?
And Teddy, as the nation's 26th president, I expected better.
Here is a dispatch from USA TODAY Sports' Dan Shanoff, who was on the scene at Nationals Park:
"Celebrating our wedding anniversary today 'going out for lunch' at Nats Park, my wife and I had just settled into our seats with half-smokes and chili cheese fries from Ben's Chili Bowl when a skit appeared on the Jumbotron where Teddy received a mysterious suitcase that when opened revealed a pair of shining Under Armour running shoes. It was foreshadowing — my wife and I figured that there was no way Under Armour would put its brand next to a loser. A little while later, the race began, with Teddy in last place. When the faux-Phillies mascot took out the other three Presidents and Teddy turned the corner, the vibe in the park was more one of 'How will he blow it this time?' than 'This is it!' But as he approached the finish line — about 10 yards out — the crowd realized they were about to witness history, and there was a surge of cheers. When he crossed the line, the fan reaction was as much disbelief at having seen this nominally momentous event as jubilation that 580-some races later, 'Let Teddy win!' finally became 'Teddy won!' It was an unexpected treat for fans enjoying a mid-week afternoon regular-season finale and just trying to give their team a send-off into the playoffs. And not a bad anniversary gift from the Nats to the Shanoffs."
All jinxing (imagined or not) aside, the D.C. and national media were rather pleased with the spectacle:
Mike Prada, SB Nation:
In two hours, the Nats should announce that Teddy has been disqualified for using performance-enhancing drugs.
Dan Steinberg, D.C. Sports Bog:
Teddy wins, Zim homers next at-bat. Eat it, Hollywood
Cindy Boren, The Washington Post:
This is an epic TV fail! The Teddy race is not on TV! Holy Heidi!!!!!
Jonah Keri, Grantland:
Meanwhile, Taft just won the marshmallow eating race.
For all of you conspiracy theorists, Ben Goessling has pointed out that Teddy's losing streak lasted 538 total games -- otherwise known as the number of votes in the Electoral College. *Mind blown.*