This Day In Baseball - The Daily Rewind

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