President Warren G. Harding threw out the ceremonial first pitch of Major League Baseball at Griffith Stadium on April 13, 1921

Commemorative card with authentic Griffith Stadium seat relic. This card was published to celebrate the "First Pitch" that was thrown out by U.S. President Warren G. Harding to open the 1921 Major League Baseball season. 2 1/2 x 3 1/2, thick card stock printed on both sides. It incorporates an authentic piece of wood at the center of the card from a seat at Griffith Stadium, in Washington, D.C. There is a nice photo of President Harding at the top of the card in the action of throwing out the first pitch that day. The imprint at the top of the card reads, "PRESIDENTIAL." Below that is printed "First Pitch" with a nickle size oval piece of original wood (3/4 x 3/4) with descriptive text around it, "Authentic Griffith Stadium Seat." It also bears the Topps Co. manufacturers logo. Imprinted at the bottom of the card is, "Harding threw out the first pitch on 4-13-21."

Imprint on the reverse, Presidential First Pitch. President Warren G. Harding, 29th President of the United States. Congratulations! You have just received an authentic Griffith Stadium seat relic where President Warren G. Harding threw out the ceremonial first pitch. On April 13, 1921, President Warren G. Harding attended the Washington Senators opening day game versus the Boston Red Sox. Walter Johnson, the Senators ace and great Hall of Fame pitcher, who was known as the "Big Train" took the loss that day.

The bottom of the card bears the Topps and MLB logos, with 2002 copyrights, and a numbered authenticity hologram.

Excellent, near mint condition. A very neat combination collectible that relates to Major League Baseball and their old tradition of the U.S. President throwing out the ceremonial first pitch to open the new season which for years took place at Griffith Stadium, in the nation's capitol city.

Griffith Stadium History:

Griffith Stadium, was located in Washington, D.C., from 1910 to 1965, between Georgia Avenue, and 5th Street, and W. Street, and Florida Avenue N.W.

The stadium was home to the American League Washington Senators from 1910 through 1960, and to an expansion team of the same name for their inaugural season in 1961.

The stadium hosted the MLB All-Star Game in 1937, and 1956, and World Series games in 1924, 1925, and 1933. Some of MLB greatest players performed their skills at Griffith Stadium such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Joe Cronin, Bill Dickey, Jimmie Foxx, Joe DiMaggio, and so many other great ballplayers of the 20th century.

It also served as the home of the Negro League Homestead Grays during the 1940s, and it hosted the 1943, and 1944 Negro League World Series. It was also home to the Washington Redskins of the National Football League for 24 seasons, from the time they transferred from Boston in 1937 through the 1960 season.

The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League played games there during the league's existence. Over 180 boxing matches were held at the ballpark, including fights by the legendary heavyweight champion Joe Louis. Gospel's first superstar, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, was married in Griffith Stadium in 1951.

The ballpark was demolished in 1965, and the site is now occupied by Howard University Hospital. A marker inside of the hospital marks the position where home plate at Griffith Stadium was originally located.

President Warren G. Harding:

(1865-1923) Born in Blooming Grove, Ohio, November 2, 1865, he died at San Francisco, California, on August 2, 1923, and is buried in the Harding Tomb, in Marion, Ohio.

Harding served as the 29th President of the United States, from 1921-1923, dying while still in office. He was succeeded by Vice President Calvin Coolidge. Harding had previously served as the Lieutenant Governor of Ohio, and as a U.S. Senator from Ohio.

Fun Facts about President Harding and Major League Baseball: William G. Harding was a very avid baseball fan. In fact, he was the part owner of the Marion Diggers, a minor league ball club in the Ohio State League. They played their home games at Webb Park, in Marion, Ohio, from 1908-1912. President Harding threw out the first pitch at Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C., for the opening games of the Washington Senators three times. The first was on April 13, 1921, against the Boston Red Sox in a 6-3 Boston victory. His second time was on April 12, 1922, as the Senators hosted the New York Yankees, nipping them in a 6-5 Senators win. His third and final time occurred on April 26, 1923, when the Senators played the Philadelphia Athletics. Washington beat the A's on that opening day by a 2-1 score. President Harding also attended a game on April 24, 1923, at the new Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York to see the legendary Babe Ruth play. "The Bambino" did not disappoint the president as he blasted a home run that day, and the president later hosted the Babe at the White House. The Yankees beat the Senators in that game 4-0, which was the very first shutout at Yankee Stadium.