What did Mr. Lincoln enjoy doing?

[Eva Elisabeth]

THANK YOU, Linda!!! So Fanny's diary is not the source for "Dixie"...("Says they climb all over him" -cute imagination...especially as for the difference in height!)

[LincolnToddFan]

Thanks Linda, it's a delightful anecdote, and I love to imagine the giant president allowing little kitties to play and climb all over him!

[LincolnMan]

I purchased from Ebay a baseball card featuring a man purported to be Lincoln (which it is not, of course) in baseball uniform. For me, it is just a curiousity- like many things that I own regarding Lincoln. I know I read somewhere that while living in Springfield he enjoyed baseball- and even played it. Anyone have more information on Lincoln and baseball?

[RJNorton]

Hi Bill. There is some information/discussion on this topic here:

http://thisgameofgames.blogspot.com/2010...-ball.html

[LincolnMan]

Thanks Roger!

[Hess1865]

Lincoln would have played for the Yankees....

[LincolnMan]

Nice one...or the Washington Nationals.

[Eva Elisabeth]

I'm convinced had he ever had the opportunity to play or watch soccer he would have been devoted to that...(I hope...)

[HerbS]

I think that if Lincoln played soccer,he could have been a wing,fullback,or goalie.

[Eva Elisabeth]

I go for goal(keeper) - just to remark: Manuel Neuer, who was awarded with the Golden Glove for being the best goalkeeper in the 2014 World Cup, measures exactly 6ft 4in!

[LincolnMan]

I got the "Lincoln baseball card" from Ebay in the mail yesterday. It's a nice little topic starter. Supposedly there were only 500 of them made i'm at work so I can't post a picture of it. I think it is offerred on Ebay still.

[LincolnToddFan]

I'm convinced had he ever had the opportunity to play or watch soccer he would have been devoted to that...(I hope...)

I agree Eva. In fact I think he would have enjoyed soccer, baseball and of course basketball(due to his unusual height).

[HerbS]

Do you think that Lincoln could have dunked a basket ball?-I do!-I think he would have been a dominant player at any sport.Who knows,he might have been the first-Lary Bird.-Herb

[LincolnToddFan]

Indeed! I think he would have excelled at basketball, with his height, strength, and enormous hands.

[RJNorton]

Here are some recollections of Lincoln's legs. Source: The Physical Lincoln by Dr. John Sotos. (includes a few comments by Dr. Sotos regarding the truthfulness of the observations)

Herndon wrote, "Mr. Lincoln's remarkable strength resulted not so much from muscular power as from the toughness of his sinews. He could not only lift from the ground enormous weight, but could throw a cannon-ball or a maul farther than anyone else in New Salem. I heard him explain once how he was enabled thus to excel others. He did not attribute it to a greater proportion of physical strength, but contended that because of the unusual length of his arms the ball or projectile had a greater swing and therefore acquired more force and momentum than in the hands of an average man."