On July 3, the Washington Nationals hosted the White House Historical Association (WHHA) to commemorate the 31st president of the United States, Herbert Hoover. The day started with a Hoover bobblehead for the first 25,000 fans and was further highlighted by the presence of two of the former president’s great-grandchildren. Great-grandson James Hoover joined Nationals Manager Dusty Baker to exchange lineup cards while great-granddaughter Margaret Hoover, a former resident of 355 Eye St. SW, got the game started with a rowdy call to “Play ball!” They were joined by Gregory M. Dean, the DC fire chief, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

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Photos: (L) James Hoover chats with Nationals Manager Dusty Baker before exchanging lineup cards. (R) Former Southwest resident Margaret Hoover gets the game started with a rowdy call to “Play ball!”

The game is only one part of a three-year partnership between WHHA and the Nationals. A cornerstone of this partnership is the White House history challenge. The WHHA history challenge takes place at all 81 home games during the regular season as fans answer a history trivia question for a chance to win the official White House Christmas Ornament.
WHHA President Stewart McLaurin said he hopes the partnership will continue as he said, “It’s all about education. Teaching kids and adults about our history, the Washington Nationals is a great way to do just that.” Earlier this year, the WHHA wrapped up their first contest focused toward kids in the DC, Maryland, Virginia region fishing the “Presidential History Challenge: White House at Bat!” where kids were tasked with creating storyboards for 50-second history videos to win $1000. Two Southwest youths were selected for their storyboard on 26th President Teddy Roosevelt. The challenge will be repeated again next year.
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NatsHoover3The game itself was fun, too. Danny Espinosa continued his amazing week hitting his second grand slam of the week, while Bryce Harper added another home run. As Hoover’s great-grandson James Hoover said, “[President Hoover] always preferred offense over defense. Today he’d have both.” Noting the great play on both sides of the ball, McLaurin said, “This could be Hoover luck. We might have to have more Hoover days.” We could go for that!
[Photo caption: White House Historical Association President Stewart D. McLaurin with President Herbert Hoover. (Photo courtesy of the White House Historical Association.)]
By: Shannon Vaughn
Editor-in-Chief, The Southwester

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