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LBJ and America's Pastime

President Johnson regularly joined countless Americans in celebrating the opening day of Major League Baseball. LBJ continued the executive tradition of throwing out the first pitch on opening day when official duties allowed—a tradition that President Taft started in 1910. LBJ attended opening games in 1964 and 1965, but couldn't attend in 1966 because he was in Texas that day. Again, in April 1968, he didn't attend opening day as the nation mourned the recent assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As the country grieved and riots broke out from coast to coast, the DC Stadium, home of the Washington Senators baseball team, turned into a staging area for the National Guard soldiers called to respond to protests. When the opening day game was played on April 10, Vice President Hubert Humphrey attended in place of President Johnson.

Catcher, Lyndon Johnson. Unknown year.LBJ Presidential Library

The Senate Years

President Eisenhower and Senator Johnson at the Washington Senators vs. New York Yankees at Griffith Stadium, Washington, DC, April 16, 1953. The Senators manager Bucky Harris and Yankees manager Casey Stengel are seen in the photo above.LBJ Presidential Library

Angel Macias, Little League champion from Monterrey, Mexico, gives his cap to Senator Lyndon Johnson on LBJ's birthday, August 27, 1957. Macias pitched a perfect game in the 1957 Little League Baseball World Series championship game. Two movies have been made about Macias and his team; Perfect Game and Los Gigantes Pequenos (Little Giants). Vice President Nixon is on the right. LBJ Presidential Library

Vice Presidential Years

Vice President Johnson looks on while President Kennedy throws the first pitch of the 1961 baseball season at Griffith Stadium, Washington, DC, April 10, 1961. The Senators played the Chicago White Sox. LBJ also went to the 1962 opening game with President Kennedy, but was at the Ranch in 1963 and missed that opening game.Robert Knudsen. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston

VIP Seat for the President

Like the presidents before him, LBJ received an annual pass to both the National and the American Leagues to all parks every year. In this photo from April 6, 1967, LBJ is greeting Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves in the Oval Office. Baseball commissioner William Eckert, both League presidents, and a few current and former players came to the Oval Office to present the pass to LBJ that year. Other players present were Brooks Robinson of the Baltimore Orioles, Joe Torre of the Atlanta Braves (seen partly on left edge), and Harmon Killebrew of the Minnesota Twins.LBJ Presidential Library

Opening Day at DC Stadium, 1964

President Johnson signs a baseball at the opening game at the DC Stadium on April 13, 1964. Los Angeles Angels beat the Washington Senators 4–0. A ball signed by LBJ and the 1964 Angels players can be seen below.LBJ Presidential Library

Baseball Opening Day 1964 LBJ First Pitch

The Opening of the Astrodome, 1965

President and Mrs. Johnson attended the exhibition game between the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees at the opening of the Houston Astrodome on April 9, 1965. Yankee player and baseball legend Mickey Mantle hit the first home run in the Astrodome that evening. A ball with Mantle's signature can be seen below.LBJ Presidential Library

President Johnson watched the game from Judge Roy Hofheinz's (seen with a cigar) private box, which had a great view of the stadium and room for plenty of guests and secret service agents. Mrs. Johnson described the evening in her audio diary, calling it "three hours straight out of the Arabian Nights."LBJ Presidential Library

Opening Day at DC Stadium, 1965

Opening day at DC Stadium on April 12, 1965. Boston Red Sox beat Washington Senators 7-2. LBJ greets Senators' manager Gil Hodges and Red Sox manager Billy Herman.LBJ Presidential Library

President Johnson throws out the first baseball of the season.LBJ Presidential Library

Opening Day at DC Stadium, 1967

Opening day at DC Stadium, April 10, 1967. President Johnson throws out the first baseball at the opening day game. New York Yankees beat the Washington Senators 8–0.LBJ Presidential Library

From Our Collection

Baseball autographed by the New York Yankees. Unknown year.Gift from William Hongach, LBJ Presidential Library

Baseball autographed by LBJ and the Los Angeles Angels players, 1964. Gift from Los Angeles Angels Baseball Club, LBJ Presidential Library

Baseball autographed by the 1965 Minnesota Twins. Gift from Ray Crump, LBJ Presidential Library

The inscription reads: "To President LBJ. My Best Wishes. Opening of the Astrodome, Houston, Texas April 16, 1965. Mickey Mantle."Gift from Del E. Webb, LBJ Presidential Library

From the National Archives