Politics and Baseball Are Allowed Here

[DOUGHBOYS]

Since it is the political season, let's mix two of the three things our wives tell us never to bring up at a party, baseball and politics.

George W. Bush, the leader of the free world was asked what was one of his biggest regrets was.
He answered,"I approved the trade of Sammy Sosa for Harold Baines."

As a kid, Bush wanted to be Willie Mays. He settled for President of the United States.

Rudolph Giuliani aspired to Manage New York...not THAT New York...The Yankees.

Mitt Romney once called Fenway Park, "Red Sox Stadium"

Bobby Kennedy's last speech began, "I want to first offer my high regard for Don Drysdale with a shout out to the Dodgers"....

Captain of the Yale baseball team, the older George Bush shook hands with Babe Ruth and accepted a signed autobiography on behalf of the University.

Ronald Reagan played Grover Cleveland Alexander in the movie, 'Winning Team'

Grover Cleveland was our 22nd and 24th President

Doris Day was the Co-Star in 'Winning Team'...Mickey Mantle confided to friends that Doris Day was not the 'All American Girl' in the bedroom.

Congress used to have an annual Congressional Game when Washington had the Senators.
Now, they'd have to be lobbied to appear in such a game

The Clinton's love the Cubs.
For political reasons, Hilary dons a Yankee hat when the team is doing well

In 1867, Andrew Johnson was the first President to watch an Opening Day Professional baseball game.
It was played in an area known as the 'President's Grounds' just south of the White House.
The local team built an amphitheatre type field there where customers could view the game in comfort.
This field also featured a first for baseball. Chalk lines from home to first base and from home to third base.
The next year, Johnson was out of office.

Johnson's successor, Ulysses Grant invited the Champion Cincinnati Red Stockings to the White House in 1869

Our 21st President, Chester Arthur said, "Good ball players make good citizens"
A couple of years later, Ty Cobb was born

John Heydler personally read 'Casey At the Bat' to Grover Cleveland in the White House

Jim Bunning's political opponents like to say that Bunning threw a no-hitter in both of his professions

Theodore Roosevelt was the first President to be issued a 'lifetime pass' for any baseball game.
He didn't use it. It is on display at the Library of Congress

William Howard Taft, our 27th President was the first President to have his picture taken at a baseball game.
Every President since, has not missed the sure-fire photo op

The New York Yankees did not have a losing season between 1925 and 1965.
This includes the depression, World War II, the Korean War, Elvis, and the Kennedy assassination.
A span from Calvin Coolidge to Lyndon Johnson.

And my favorite....
'Jungle' Jim Rivera played for the White Sox during the 50's. He led the league in stolen bases one year and finished runner up six times. He was the first white baseball player to slide head first into bases. These slides were then called, 'belly slides'. His running style was suited perfectly for these slides. His head seemed to lead the rest of his body, which made him look a little like a gorilla, hence the nickname, Jungle Jim.
Jungle Jim was very, very extroverted and always said what was on his mind.

To Bess Truman, wife of President Harry Truman, Rivera leaned into her box after a baseball game and said, "I'm sure sorry my homer helped to beat your team, but it was a helluva wallop, eh Bess?"

And better...
He once received an autographed ball from President Kennedy himself.
Jungle Jim's reaction?
"What kind of garbage College is that Harvard, where they don't even teach you to write? What kind of garbage writing is this? What is this garbage autograph?
Do you think I can go into any tavern on Chicago's South Side and really say the President of the United States signed this ball for me? I'd be run off!
Take this thing back and give me something else besides this garbage autograph."

Kennedy laughed and took the ball back, and more carefully wrote his name on the ball.
He handed it back to Rivera.
Rivera looked at the ball, then up at the President and laughed himself.
He extended his hand to Kennedy and while shaking hands, Rivera said, "You know, you are alright!"