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Conversation 009-133

TapeTape 9StartWednesday, September 22, 1971 at 6:55 PMEndWednesday, September 22, 1971 at 6:57 PMTape start time04:37:37Tape end time04:39:46ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Finch, Robert H.;  Nixon, Richard M. (President);  Finch, Robert H.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and Robert Finch discussed a public relations strategy following the departure of the Washington Senators baseball team. Nixon directed Finch to coordinate with California Angels owners Gene Autry and Robert Reynolds to establish a new tradition where the President throws out the first pitch at his home team's opening game. To facilitate this, they planned to lobby American League officials Bowie Kuhn and Joe Cronin to adjust the league schedule to ensure the Angels' home opener aligns with the President's availability.

Washington SenatorsCalifornia AngelsMajor League BaseballPublic RelationsPresidential TraditionsGene Autry
AudioNARA Description

On September 22, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Robert H. Finch talked on the telephone from 6:55 pm to 6:57 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 009-133 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 9-133

Date: September 22, 1971
Time: 6:55 pm - 6:57 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Robert H. Finch.

[See Conversation No. 279-47]

     Sports
          -Washington Senators' departure
              -Ronald L. Ziegler
                    -California Angels
                          -Finch's call to [Orvon] Gene Autry and Robert O. Reynolds
                               -Opening games
                                      -Past Presidents
                                            -William H. Taft
                                            -Theodore Roosevelt
                                      -The President
                                            -Home stadium
                                      -Change in American League schedule
                                            -Bowie K, Kuhn
                                            -Joe Cronin
Transcript (AI-Generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

Bob.
Yes, sir.
Bob.
Yes, sir.
I had a couple of thoughts that would be interesting to you.
You may have heard that I told, Ziegler put out, that none of the senators have left Washington, that I'd be an Angel fan.
Yeah, I thought that was a good line.
Yeah.
Now, I just talked to Ziegler, but he may call you, but... Yeah, he has a call in for me.
Yeah, but let me tell you what it's about.
I want you to call Bob Reynolds and Gene Autry and tell them that the president...
I think this is a very significant thing.
For 71 years, presidents, and oh, going clear back to William Howard Taft and all the rest, Theodore Roosevelt had thrown out balls in Washington.
The president is in effect said now that with this change that each president should throw out the ball in the park of his home team.
Now, what they have to do is to change the American League schedule so that the first game, you see, the way Washington always played the first game,
We'll be in Anaheim Stadium.
Right.
See?
And I'll come to throw out the ball, and I agree to do it.
See?
All right, sir.
So I think it's a very good thing.
And for them to build that up, you know, among the league and the rest, and for them to tell Bowie Kuhn and Joe Kern and the rest, that's what we want.
all right what do you think i think it's a great idea and uh just sort of the feeling the feeling you know of being for being for your home team and all the rest don't you think it's good no and there was speculation about it all day just the fact that ron had you know had thrown that one line out yeah so then they said well gee does that mean and uh aesthetic does that mean that he's gonna make a commitment to that's right you know they they just
So the thing is... You can say that first I will come to the Angels' opening game, but the Angels should make it a capital case that their opening game...
It's going to be in Anaheim.
The President's opening game must be in Anaheim, and you know it must be the day before the league starts.
That's right.
See, it's like the Washington opening game.
And I'll fly there to go throw the ball out.
See?
Yes, sir.
Okay.
It's really a big deal.
I think it's great.
Okay.
All right.
Bye.
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