The Sports Fan Project

This photo was captured during Major League Baseball’s Opening Day on April 9, 1962, at Washington, D.C.’s brand new, D.C. Stadium, which was later renamed Robert F. Kennedy Stadium. The host Senators defeated the Detroit Tigers, 4-1.

Al Kaline is seen in the batter’s box and the future Hall of Famer went 0-for-4 during the game.

Also pictured, of course, is President John F. Kennedy who threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Surprisingly (to me at least), Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson is also seated at the game with POTUS. Also in the photo is Larry O’Brien, then a special assistant to the President, but later the NBA Commissioner and namesake of the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy awarded annually to the NBA. Also in the photo is then-Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa.

(Update [August 28, 2024]: Reader Bobby Kinsey indicates Hoffa is misidentifed and should, instead, be ID’d as U.S. Rep. Hale Boggs [D-LA]. This image with caption would seem to corroborate this.)

Here are a series of photos from this day courtesy of the JFK Presidential Archives. There are, no doubt, other dignataries in the photo but I’m unsure I can identify all of them. If you have any thoughts shoot me an email at hilldouglast@gmail.com.

Just to review, The Fan Teaser comes courtesy of longtime buddy, Pat Schutte. The cropped photo below and the accompanying clue give you an idea as to who or what the image is of. We invite you to use the Comment option to take a crack at solving the Teaser and, if you’re so inclined, participate in some good-spirited banter with your fellow sports fans. The Fan Teaser will appear each Friday morning with the reveal coming to you Sunday.