GoFigure: From the Oval Office to the baseball diamond

Will there be a major league baseball season in 2020?

That remains unclear. However, if it does happen, there's a chance it will be ushered in by a ceremonial opening pitch from President Donald Trump. It would be the latest chapter in a tradition that began 110 years ago with President William Howard Taft.

In that spirit, "Go Figure" this week ties in presidential names among players throughout MLB history. See how you fare in deducing how the Oval Office intersects with the baseball diamond.

Q1. In 1910, when Taft began the tradition of throwing the ceremonial first pitch of a baseball game, who was the Washington Senator (and future hall of famer) who caught his toss? (Hint: he shared the last name of two U.S. presidents.)

Q2. Name the Chicago-born infielder who, playing for the Washington Senators, hit a home run in his first major league at bat while sharing the sitting president's name?

(Harry Truman, Calvin Coolidge, John Kennedy)

Q3. In 128 games during the mid-1930s, a White Sox player known as George Washington had nine home runs and 52 runs batted in. What was his actual name?

(George Washington, Sloan Vernon Washington, Jerry Sloan Washington)

Q4. Of the eight Washingtons to play in MLB history, three appeared in the World Series: two for the Oakland A's in 1974 and one for the Kansas City Royals in 1980. Which one also played for the White Sox?

(Claudell Washington, U L Washington, Herb Washington)

Q5. In back-to-back World Series, this player was the last to make contact with the ball. In 1992, he caught the last out while manning first base - as the potential tying baserunner raced home; then, in 1993, he hit a walk-off home run to clinch the Series.

Can you name this former Cub with a presidential surname?

Q6. A follow-up to the prior question: the batter whose drag bunt led to that final out of the 1992 World Series also shares a name with a U.S. president. Who was it?

(Trot Nixon, Terry Kennedy, Otis Nixon)

Q7. Players with this last name have accounted for the largest number (113), among all presidential surnames, to appear in the majors. What is it?

(Wilson, Jackson, Johnson)

Q8. Which President holds the mark for most years of throwing ceremonial opening day pitches?

(Franklin Roosevelt, Barack Obama, Ronald Reagan)

Q9. Who hit the first home run at the newly renovated Yankee Stadium, after it reopened in 1976?

(Reggie Jackson, Dan Ford, Cliff Johnson)

Q10. Which President, early in his career, simulated broadcast of Cubs games for radio?

(Ronald Reagan, John Kennedy, Harry Truman)

Q11. Not satisfied with the location of his first toss, President Reagan threw out a pair of ceremonial pitches before the Cubs' game on Sept. 30, 1988. Can you name the catcher who went on to homer during the contest?

(Damon Berryhill, Joe Girardi, Jody Davis)

Q12. Born during a president's 16-month tenure in office, this player for the 1874 Baltimore Canaries shared the former military hero's first and last names - and first-base duties with a fellow named Charlie Gould. Who was it?

(Millard Fillmore, Zachary Taylor, James Polk)

Q13. After posting a 7-14 record for the 1975 and 1976 White Sox, this right-handed pitcher started 33 games for the expansion Toronto Blue Jays in 1977. Can you name him?

(Bart Johnson, Larry Monroe, Jesse Jefferson)

Q14. One of only two players in MLB history with this surname, this Cubs pitcher lost both of his decisions during a six-game, six-inning stint in 2005. Who was it?

(Hickory Polk, Matthew Trump, Jermaine Van Buren)

Q15. Who was the aptly named Cincinnati Red who made his major league debut on August 9, 1974, the same day Richard Nixon resigned in disgrace as President? (Hint: he ended his career with the Cubs.)

(Junior Kennedy, Cesar Geronimo, Bill Plummer)

Answers

1. Walter Johnson; 2. John Kennedy; 3. Sloan Vernon Washington; 4. Claudell Washington; 5. Joe Carter; 6. Otis Nixon; 7. Johnson; 8. Franklin Roosevelt, with eight; 9. Dan Ford; 10. Ronald Reagan; 11. Damon Berryhill; 12. Zachary Taylor; 13. Jesse Jefferson; 14. Jermaine Van Buren; 15. Junior Kennedy

• Matt Baron is an Oak Park-based freelance writer. He supplements his baseball brainpower with Retrosheet.org for much of this research.