People, Aug. 1, 1977

  • Share

What a pleasure it was to see the two of them again in a great baseball park, clad in the classic threads of the trade that made them famous. The occasion was the 48th All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium, and this time Willie Mays and Joe DiMaggio were not flogging some TV product like Mr. Coffee or the sweet smell of Brut on a centerfielder's forearm. They were presiding as honorary captains. Looking back on it, "Joltin' Joe" couldn't help reflecting that no matter what else in the world changes, "baseball was played the same then." The "Say Hey Kid" got round to admitting that the fine, carefree way he used to run out from under his baseball cap when steaming around the bases was partly the result of calculation. Said Mays with a grin: "I always wore a cap a size too small." When the on-field action started, it turned out that the American League's ill luck hadn't turned either. The Nationals won, 7 to 5, for their sixth straight All-Star victory.

It is a far cry from their old six-room bungalow (purchase price: $19,000), but Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley and his wife Ethel say they can learn to call their new digs home. The Bradleys moved last week into a gabled $600,000 Norman-style, 14-room mansion, complete with herringbone-brick patio and a reflecting pool. The house, built in 1921 in the city's Wilshire district, was once inhabited by Actor John Barrymore. The Getty Oil Co. took it over in 1967 and later donated it to the city, making Los Angeles the third major U.S. city (after New York and Detroit) with a private mayoral residence. As for maintaining the Bradleys' lavish new quarters, apparently taxpayers needn't worry. Regular city workers will staff occasional parties without straining the municipal budget. In fact, because the mayor used to rent expensive hotel ballrooms to entertain dignitaries, the city may even save some money. All in all, the price was right. Says Bradley: "This was an offer we couldn't refuse."

The good ole boys and girls got together for some square dancing, rebel yells and twanging bluegrass. Their down-home host, Jimmy Carter, had invited his Georgia staffers and members of Congress and their families to a backyard barbecue at the White House. The excuse for the party, explained the First Lady, was "to get children to meet Amy," who sat gleefully with the rest of trie small fry at the magic show. Guests Bert Lance, Tip O'Neill, Mark Hatfield and James Sehlesinger munched hot dogs and hamburgers, enjoying various attractions: a clutch of clowns, an old-fashioned calliope and the Washington Redskins playing volleyball. The high spot of the party came when Jimmy, Wife Rosalynn and Amy deftly do-si-doed with the Dixie Liners. Sweating profusely but smiling nonstop, Jimmy padded about in Wallabees and issued a presidential directive: "Y'all have a good time."

Time.com on Digg

POWERED BY digg

Quotes of the Day »

ANDREW J. OSWALD, economics professor, on his study published in Science magazine that found that the state of New York placed last in the nation in the happiness rating
For use in rail of Articles page or Section Fronts pages. Duplicate and change name as necesssary to distinguish.