A President Makes His Picks

by Bob Warrington

Among Presidents of the United States, one of the most ardent fans of baseball was Richard M. Nixon. In addition to loving the game, Nixon maintained a scholarly interest in baseball and was quite knowledgeable of its history. In 1972, the then-President was asked by a reporter to name his all-time baseball team. Delighted at the prospect of naming such a team, Nixon spent a weekend at Camp David, Maryland to make his selections. With him was son-in-law David Eisenhower—a baseball expert in his own right and former statistician for the Washington Senators.

Nixon decided not to name a single team of all-stars, but instead, two National League teams and two American League teams. One set of National and American League all-stars would represent baseball’s “early” era (1925-45), and the other set would represent baseball’s “modern” era (1945-70). It’s important to note that Nixon’s decision to begin his “early” era in 1925 excludes all of the great players who were active prior to that time. Included in the group, of course, are the many outstanding players who toiled for the Philadelphia Athletics before 1925 and are now in the Hall of Fame. They should rightfully be considered for any all-time baseball team.

Despite that limitation, the Philadelphia Athletics are well represented on Nixon’s all-star “early” era American League team. Included in the starting line-up are Mickey Cochrane (catcher), Al Simmons (outfield), and Lefty Grove (pitcher). Jimmie Foxx is listed as a reserve infielder at first base behind Lou Gehrig. The manager of the team? Nixon named Connie Mack, of course. Two other pitchers Nixon named to his “early” era American League all-star team played with the Philadelphia Athletics during their careers. Herb Pennock, who was with the A’s in 1912-15, and Bobo Newsom, who pitched for the Athletics in 1944-46 and 1952-53.

Only one Philadelphia Athletics player appears on Nixon’s “modern” era American League all-star team. Nixon selected Nellie Fox as the starting second baseman. Fox played with the Athletics at the start of his career (1947-49) before being traded away to the Chicago White Sox.

President or not, Nixon’s choices reflect one man’s opinion, and trying to identify all-star teams in any sport is bound to provoke controversy and disagreement. Still, I think it’s indisputable that the Philadelphia Athletics boast several players who can legitimately be considered for inclusion. As A’s Society president David Jordan has noted, “We’ll put our all-time Philadelphia Athletics team against the all-time team of any other club and expect to come out ahead." Amen to that!