President Truman - First Pitch 1948

President Harry S. Truman

Truman Switches From 'Catching' to Pitching

by Earnest Barcella, 19 Apr 1948

President Truman, who has been catching it from the left and right, will do some pitching today.

With 35,000 upper-case and just-plain fans watching at Griffith Stadium, Mr. Truman will throw out the ceremonial "first" pitch inaugurating the 1948 major league baseball season.

Mr. Truman is the only switch-pitcher in the 36 years since William Howard Taft started the custom of presidential "first" pitches. Two years ago, Mr. Truman threw left-handed. Last year, he was ambidextrous, throwing two pitches - one left-handed and one right-handed.

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Found on Newspapers.com

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President Harry Truman wrote with his right hand, but could throw well with both arms.
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