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Teddy Roosevelt, one of the Washington Nationals racing president, celebrates after crossing the finish line winning the Presidents Race for the first time in the event’s seven year history at Nationals Park during a baseball game between the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Teddy Roosevelt mascot finally wins Presidents Race at Nationals Park

WASHINGTON – Teddy wins! Teddy wins!

For the first time, the Teddy Roosevelt mascot has won the Presidents Race in the middle of the fourth inning at Nationals Park — a pursuit that drew attention even from a White House spokesman and Sen. John McCain.

Teddy — Mr. Rough Rider, himself — had lost more than 500 times since 2006, when the Washington Nationals baseball team began having races among 10-foot-tall foam renderings of Roosevelt, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Abe Lincoln at home games.

The crowd cheered wildly Wednesday when Teddy triumphed in the last game of the 2012 regular season, helped when a green mascot wearing a jersey of the Philadelphia Phillies — Washington’s opponent — knocked down the other three mascots.

The Nationals have already clinched the NL East.

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