Billington took time out from his rigorous duties to practice before throwing the first pitch at an interleague game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday night, June 10, 2000, as part of the celebration of the Library’s Bicentennial. The Librarian, who once pitched for his Lower Merion (Pa.) High School team, impressed Library staffer Joseph Puccio, who witnessed the game: “He wound up and let go with a mean slider. … I was impressed with the velocity.” A lifelong baseball fan, Billington often notes during public speeches that the Library’s collections include the first baseball card and Jackie Robinson’s papers. - Christina Tyler