Date: October 13, 1972
Time: 12:22 pm – 12:40 pm
Location: Oval Office
The President met with Claire (Hodgson) Ruth, Bobby Thomson, Ralph Branca, and Henry C.
Cashen, II. The White House photographer and members of the press were present at the
beginning of the meeting.
Greetings
-1954
Thomson’s pennant-winning home run in 1951 New York Giants-Brooklyn Dodgers
National League playoff game
-The President’s reminiscence
[Photograph session]
-Baseball
-Giants-Dodgers rivalry
-Johnny Mize
-Ty Cobb
-George H. (“Babe”) Ruth
-The President’s reminiscences
-Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon
-Autographs
23
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. Nov-03)
Baseball
-The President’s television [TV] viewing
-The President’s letter from baseball fans
-Football
-TV
-Los Angeles Dodgers
-San Francisco Giants
-Washington Senators
-Texas
-Herb Taney [sp?]
Mr. and Mrs. Harry O’Donnell and Tony Butrico entered at 12:24 pm.
Greetings
-Harry O’Donnell
[Photograph session]
Baseball
-Walter Johnson
-Sports figures
-Off the field characteristics
-Drugs
-Patriotism
-The President’s view
-Sports as a metaphor for life
-John Roosevelt (“Jackie”) Robinson
-1947
-Joseph McCarthy
-Mickey Lolich and Carl M. Yastrzemski
-Previous visit with the President
-Vision
-Thomson’s home run
-Strike count
The President’s athletic experience
Gift presentation
-Cuff links
-Presidential seal
-Pin
-Presidential seal
24
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. Nov-03)
-Golf balls
-Presidential seal
-Vice President Spiro T. Agnew
Places of residence of Thompson, Branca, and Claire Ruth
-New York
-White Plains
-Plainfield
-Manhattan
Baseball
-Home run record
-Claire Ruth’s age
-Death
-“Babe” Ruth
-Henry L. (“Hank”) Aaron
-Age
-At bats
-“Babe” Ruth
-As a pitcher
-Boston Red Sox
-Win-loss record
-1933
-Pat Summerall
-Branca
-Robert W. A. (“Bob”) Feller
-Christy Mathewson
-Babe Ruth
-Aaron
-1932 World Series
-Charlie Root
-Chicago Cubs
-Los Angeles Angels
-Ruth’s “called shot” home run
-Veracity of story
-Norman Vincent Peale
-1927 New York Yankees
-Babe Ruth
-Earle Combs
-Lou Gehrig
-Bob Meusel
-Tony Lazzeri
25
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. Nov-03)
-“Murderers Row”
Claire Ruth
-Expression of support
-Mrs. Nixon
-TV appearance
Thompson and Branca
-Size
-Baseball players
-Football players
-Larry Brown
-Washington Redskins
-Compared to past football players
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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
[Personal returnable]
[Duration: 1m 14s ]
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
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Claire Ruth et al. left at 12:40 pm.