A Political Heavyweight’s Lighter Side

While the Democrats were going about the serious business of presidential politics in New York this week, a former President gave a glimpse of an unexpected lighter side of his personality. It came at a presidential library luncheon in Yorba Linda as Richard M. Nixon and his son-in-law, David Eisenhower, released their picks for all-star teams from several eras of baseball.

With an eye toward the political proceedings taking place on the opposite coast, Nixon and his baseball all-star guests observed the “non-partisan” nature of his dream teams. As evidence, it was noted that two of the picks, George Kell and Brooks Robinson, were natives of Arkansas, Bill Clinton’s home state.

Nixon observed also that the presidential contenders are left-handed--and he quipped that left-handers, in baseball at least, “can be a little wild.” As for his allegiance to the now-defunct Washington Senators, Nixon said it was a lot harder to be a fan of Washington senators nowadays than it had been to stand by a hapless baseball team.

Nixon has been many things to many people through a lifetime of public crises and comebacks. Few would describe him, in his public persona at least, as the life of the party. But on Wednesday, Nixon took the microphone to embrace former Dodger great Maury Wills. He signed autographs. He urged youngsters to strive for success, mindful that even the best hitters fail two times in three.

An ex-President who once wore a business suit to the beach showed that there is a kid in him after all.