6 July in the midst of a modest winning streak one Washington paper takes it upon itself to ask fans, “”Root harder!” All Up in the seventh! We’re on the road to ninth place.”
Maybe only in Washington would making it to ninth place be considered something of value to achieve, but the remark, “All Up in the seventh!” would easily register on any ball park except maybe Frederick. But even Frederick has long since stopped shaking their keys.
Five days later this is printed “The time honored custom of “All Up” in the seventh is still followed at National Park.”
The Nationals will honor President William Howard Taft this coming season. This is appropriate since President Taft was a avid baseball fan. It is taken as an article of faith by some that the seventh inning stretch was inspired by Taft. Sadly nothing can be further from the truth.
Would you believe the remarks mentioned about were printed in 1898!
The origin of the seventh-inning stretch or “All Up” dates from the early days of the game. Harry Wright references it in 1869 and in the early 1880’s a Brother Jasper of Manhattan College is the person typically credited with starting the activity, where it spread to the majors.
Maybe Washington could start a new trend. Why not turn back the clock and ask fans in the seventh to stand for “All Up.”
