Richard Nixon Talks About His All Time Team - Vintage Baseball Reflections

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On June 30, 1972, journalist Clifford Evans interviewed President Richard Nixon in the White House for RKO General Broadcasting. This meeting was captured by recording devices in the Oval Office.

Prior to this meeting, Evans had asked President Nixon to name his favorite baseball players during a June 22, 1972 press conference. President Nixon subsequently prepared a list and explanatory notes that were distributed via the Associated Press on June 30.

In this conversation segment, President Nixon explains the process, methodology, and rationale for building his all-star teams, which included distinctions between pre-World War II and post-World War II rosters as well as American League and National League all-stars. He mentions working with son-in-law David Eisenhower at Camp David to generate the lists. President Nixon also discussed Lou Gehrig, whom he named “Most Courageous Baseball Player.” President Nixon references the movie, The Pride of the Yankees; Gehrig’s farewell speech; and correspondence with Gehrig’s widow, Eleanor. President Nixon also lauds Red Schoendienst’s comeback after tuberculosis, recalling his own brother Harold’s struggle with the disease. President Nixon then mentions Bill Mazeroski‘s grand slam performance for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1960 World Series, the crowd’s response, and comparison to the teams of Pie Traynor‘s day. President Nixon also notes the 1951 “shot heard ’round the world” by New York Giants’ Bobby Thomson against the Brooklyn Dodgers. Evans then ends the official RKO General broadcast.

After the formal broadcast, the two men continue chatting, touching on New York Yankee Don Larsen‘s “perfect game” in the 1956 World Series as well as Los Angeles Dodger Sandy Koufax’s breaking of the strike-out record in 1965. President Nixon ends by sharing the crowd’s response at Dodger Stadium during Koufax’s attempt for the record.

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