#Tener August 12

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In August 2025, many of us are participating in the 30-Day Governors Coach4aday Challenge. Each day, we highlight one of the 2,300+ U.S. Governors—past or present—sharing insights into their achievements, controversies, or unique aspects of their careers. For today my choice is going to be on a Governor JOHN TENER who played professional baseball prior to entering politics.

Two professional athletes have gone on to become U.S. Governors. Jesse Ventura, known for his career as a professional wrestler, served as Governor of Minnesota. The other was John Tener, a former Major League Baseball pitcher/outfield for the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Stockings, who later became Governor of Pennsylvania. Tener also served as president of the National League which was a precursor to Major League Baseball.

Governor-30 Day Challenge Guidelines

As with previous challenges, participants are encouraged to adapt the guidelines to fit their own circumstances. If you can, commit to sharing something about a Governor in August.

1. Record something about a particular US Governor. Make sure you include what US State and years that he/she served. Try to highlight an achievement, controversy, or some unique aspect of their career.
2. Share with a challenge partner if you have one.
3. Join the conversation by posting on social media with the hashtag #Coach4adayChallenge

August 12-John Tener Baseball Pitcher and Governor

John Tener had a fascinating career and life. He was born in Ireland in 1863 and moved to the Pittsburgh one year after his dad died when he was age 10. By the time he was 22 in 1885 he found his way to playing minor league baseball and eventually got on the field in one game for the Baltimore Orioles. Three seasons later after bouncing around in the minor leagues he landed with the Chicago White Stockings where he played for 2 years.

After Baseball he went to work in banking and in less than a decade he was elected to Congress in 1908.

One of my friends, Mike McIntyre, a native of Lumberton, North Carolina, served in Congress for 18 years. His time was filled with committee meetings, listening to constituents, making public appearances, and, of course, voting on legislation. Now and then, he got to enjoy a lighter moment by playing in the Congressional Baseball Game. He probably knows that the first game in 1909 was organized by John Tener who served one term in Congress 1908-1910.

John Tener would be elected Governor of Pennsylvania in 1910 and would serve a full term before becoming the President of the National League in Professional Baseball. He was the first Governor elected in the US since the American Revolution who was born outside of the country.