sport June 4, 2015

Freeze-frames of Politicians Playing Sports Are Our Greatest Natural Resource

By Jaime Fuller

Last night, New Jersey governor and third baseman Chris Christie was named the MVP of a charity softball game at Yankee Stadium. We assume the award was given based on the strength of this photograph alone.

I woke up like this. Photo: John Lamparski/Getty Images

Christie’s performance was a useful reminder that pictures of politicians playing sports are among our greatest natural resources and should be treasured accordingly. For the leaders below, the looks of utter concentration, meditative calm, and befuddling awkwardness they showcase so naturally while trying to be athletic may not prove that they are qualified to be president, but they do prove that politicians are human, a fact often disputed. All people, regardless of talent or stature, are required to make funny faces while playing sports, as dictated by the laws of physics. And that is a beautiful thing.

Senator Rand Paul

This is what I call the “pre-filibuster stretch.” Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call

Hillary Clinton

First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton ready for pitch during White House party for Ken Burns film series “Baseball.” Photo: Cynthia Johnson/LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images

Rick Santorum

Hey voters. Photo: Shaun Heasley/Getty Images

George Pataki

Govener George Pataki scores a goal for New York City youth through the Nike Go Program. Photo: Jemal Countess/WireImage

Dick Cheney

Photo: George Bridges/KRT/Getty Images

President Richard Nixon

President Richard Nixon rears back and gets set to toss out the first ball to open the 1969 baseball season. Photo: Bettmann/Corbis

President John F. Kennedy

President John F. Kennedy throws out the first ball to officially open the 1962 baseball season. Photo: PhotoQuest/NARA/Getty Images

Secretary of State John Kerry

John Kerry heads a soccer ball with young players from the Denver Power Soccer Academy on the tarmac in 2004. Photo: Brian Snyder/Reuters/Corbis

Presidents Bush

Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush watches as his son, former President George W. Bush, throws a ceremonial first pitch prior to the start of Game 4 of Major League Baseball’s World Series in 2010. Photo: Brian Snyder/Reuters/Corbis

President Bill Clinton and Al Gore

Running mates. Photo: Ira Wyman/Sygma/Corbis

Mitt Romney

RUN AWAY! Photo: George Frey/Getty Images

Senator Jeff Flake

ACK. It’s a tea party primary candidate! Photo: Tom Williams/Roll Call/Getty Images

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy

Kevin “The Whip” McCarthy Photo: Tom Williams/Roll Call/Getty Images

Representative Paul Ryan

Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., tries to evade defender Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., during a flag football practice on the Mall. Photo: Tom Williams/Roll Call/Getty Images

Senator Cory Booker

I replied to 20 tweets in the two seconds I was in the air. Photo: Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

Anthony Weiner

Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., sits in the dugout with a black eye at the 46th Annual Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game. Photo: Tom Williams/Roll Call/Getty Images

Rob Ford

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford punts as he runs football practice at Don Bosco Secondary School after leaving City Hall. Photo: Steve Russell/Toronto Star

Donald Trump

I am the most qualified baseball player, because I have considered buying all of them. Photo: Howard Earl Simmons/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images

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