They Lived Too Soon by Anonymous

This is a terrific poem written by an anonymous author who had it first published in 1896. The poem was discovered when baseball historians were researching box scores in old issues of the Chicago Record.

"But he never booed the umpire when the home team lost." - Anonymous
They Lived Too Soon

George Washington

by Anonymous

Published: Chicago Record (1896)

George Washington was President
and honored in his day,
He was the father of the land and
all things came his way;
He had a basketful of fun, a wagon
load of fame—
But he never was a rooter at a base
ball game.

Napoleon conquered half the world
and had a crown of gold,
And in his time his cup was just
as full as it could hold.
It looks from here as though he
should have had his share of fun-
But her never strained his vocals
when the home team won.

And also Julius Cesar, who had his
share of sport,
He won his share of battles, and
always held the fort.
He killed lost of people, regard
less of the cost—
But he never booed the umpire
when the home team lost.

And also Alexander, he turned most
every trick,
And then shed tears because there
were no more worlds to lick,
He climbed 'way up the ladder, as
high as people get—
But he never pawned his scepter to
pay a baseball bet.

They Lived Too Soon by Anonymous



A soldier once wrote the following about General Washington, "He sometimes throws and catches a ball for hours with his aide-de-camp."

In 1880, the Boston Herald reported that, "Next to Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, the name of A.G. Spalding is the most famous in American literature."

How much do you know about the relationship between U.S. Presidents and Major League baseball? Take some time and review our extensive research here at Baseball Almanac.