AboutTom Schott Expertise I will deal with the major leagues only from 19th century to present. I`m good on baseball history, records, statistics, ballparks. I don't do off-the-field stuff. Please if you already know the answer to the question, please don't ask it. I don't want to play "stump the expert."
Experience I've written on the subject, and I have substantial library of resources.
Organizations SABR
Publications Numerous encyclopedia, newspaper, magazine articles. One book, several book chapters.
Question Do you know who the Athletics' catcher was when President William Howard Taft threw the 1st ceremonial pitch in Washington, DC in 1910?
Answer Cathy,
I tried without success to locate the box score for this game on April 14, 1910. But I do have two pieces of information for you that may be helpful.
--Taft threw the first pitch to Washington Senators pitcher Walter Johnson
--The Philadelphia A's employed three catchers during the 1910 season: Jack Lapp, Ira Thomas, and Paddy Livingston. The first two played in about the same number of games, 70 and 60 respectively. Of the two Thomas was the better hitter, and he was the starting catcher for the A's in the World Series that year in 4 of 5 games. He was also the starting catcher for the A's in 1909. So . . . he was probably the starting catcher on opening day.
