On Monday, President Obama continued on with the tradition of throwing the first pitch, making it 100 years straight. Our past Presidents have occasionally thrown elsewhere than Nationals Park, but the pitch has always taken place. This article found on CNN.com explains how Howard Taft began this tradition in 1910 in Washington on Opening Day. It continues on to talk about the different pitching styles which vary from president to president, just as the speaking styles and image styles vary. President Carter chose not to throw the opening pitch until he was out of office, claiming presidency was much too busy during his times. He, as well as the few other presidents who have chosen not to throw the first pitch, then choose his vice president or a member of the cabinet.
Just as the article states that a first pitch says a lot about a president, I feel the inaugural speech, and way a president portrays himself does as well. In class, we discussed what inaugural speeches will always contain. A few of these include explaining tradition, building an image, and usually talking about the “American dream” or at least goals and hopes for the future of the country. This is easily related to the president throwing the first pitch at a baseball game. He follows the tradition, creates a positive image, and just like us, enjoys baseball, the American past time. Obama, dressed in his pull-over jacket, has clearly stepped out of his extremely sophisticated ways, and is ready to show American’s that he is ordinary and loves baseball just as much as the next person. Field of Dreams represents the “American Dream” and tradition, just like the president throwing the first pitch. “If you build it, they will come” works with Obama’s pitch, too. If he builds this positive image, and shows the people he cares about and loves our traditions, his supporters, new and old, will come. Something that we have also talked about in class is how presidents are not required, but choose to say some form of “God bless you” at the end of their speeches. Once started, all presidents after have continued on with saying “God bless,” probably due to the positive response. If the people like something, presidents will do it. We like baseball, Christianity is one of our main religions, and tradition in general is highly valued in America. I believe we will continue to see our presidents throw the first pitch and say “may God bless you” for many years to come.
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Good post! I like how you related the presidents throwing the first pitch and the certain styles they use to how each president uses different styles in the inaugural speeches. I agree that the way the president portrays himself shows what kind of person he is. Inaugural speeches so contain explaining tradition, building an image and talking about the American Dream and i see how you related this to throwing the first pitch because baseball is seen as America's pastime and is a huge representation of American traditions. I think that the presidents can show their views threw their inaugural speeches and share with Americans what they believe and want to do for our country. This also can relate to speech acts in that the discourse does something as well as conveys meaning. The throwing of the pitch shows how the president portrays himself and conveys a meaning.
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