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President William Howard Taft started the celebration in 1910 when he threw out the first pitch of the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Athletics game. Each President since Taft has thrown out at least one ceremonial pitch since then.
George Washington.
In 1884, Willie Murphy played in 5 games for the Washington Nationals, batting in all of them. He had 21 at bats, getting 10 hits, for a .476 batting average, with 0 runs batted in. He was walked 1 times, and was hit by the pitch 2 times. He struck out times. He hit only singles.
William Taft started the tradition of presidents throwing a ceremonial first pitch. He did it on opening day (April 14) of 1910, throwing the first pitch to Walter Johnson. One of his predecessors, William McKinley, had thrown a ceremonial first pitch when he was Governor of Ohio, but not when he was president.
In 2009, Daniel Cabrera played in 9 games for the Washington Nationals, batting in all of them. He had 11 at bats, getting 0 hits, for a .000 batting average, with 2 sacrifice hits, 0 sacrifice flies, and 0 runs batted in. He was walked 2 times, and was hit by the pitch 1 time. He struck out 9 times.
To make sure he has a long and productive career. There is an overall master plan for the Washington Nationals' phenomenal rookie pitcher. Strasburg will start the first game after the All-Star break and pitch every fifth day until he reaches 160 innings. After that, he will sit for the rest of the season.
In 1884, Bob Barr played in 39 games for the Washington Nationals, batting in all of them. He had 135 at bats, getting 20 hits, for a .148 batting average, with 0 runs batted in. He was walked 4 times, and was hit by the pitch 2 times. He struck out times. He hit 3 doubles, 1 triples, and 2 home runs.
In 1887, Ed Daily played in 78 games for the Washington Nationals, batting in all of them. He had 311 at bats, getting 78 hits, for a .251 batting average, with 36 runs batted in. He was walked 14 times, and was hit by the pitch 1 times. He struck out 27 times. He hit 6 doubles, 10 triples, and 2 home runs.
In 1889, Egyptian Healy played in 13 games for the Washington Nationals, batting in all of them. He had 45 at bats, getting 10 hits, for a .222 batting average, with 4 runs batted in. He was walked 0 times, and was hit by the pitch 1 times. He struck out 10 times. He hit 2 doubles, 0 triples, and 1 home runs.
In 1884, John Humphries played in 49 games for the Washington Nationals, batting in all of them. He had 193 at bats, getting 34 hits, for a .176 batting average, with 0 runs batted in. He was walked 9 times, and was hit by the pitch 1 times. He struck out times. He hit 2 doubles, 0 triples, and 0 home runs.
In 1889, Arthur Irwin played in 85 games for the Washington Nationals, batting in all of them. He had 313 at bats, getting 73 hits, for a .233 batting average, with 32 runs batted in. He was walked 42 times, and was hit by the pitch 1 times. He struck out 37 times. He hit 10 doubles, 5 triples, and 0 home runs.
In 1889, Al Myers played in 46 games for the Washington Nationals, batting in all of them. He had 176 at bats, getting 46 hits, for a .261 batting average, with 20 runs batted in. He was walked 22 times, and was hit by the pitch 1 times. He struck out 7 times. He hit 3 doubles, 0 triples, and 0 home runs.