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Motion Picture MP2025-1

Harry and Bess Truman Attend KC Athletics Baseball Game

Administrative Information

Original Format(s)
Motion Picture
Footage
50 feet
Running Time
2 minutes
Film Gauge
8mm
Sound
silent
Color
Color
Produced by
Home movie from unknown source
Restrictions
Unrestricted
Received
Marvin M. Tajchman
Keywords
Baseball
Baseball players
Presidential family
Description

Home movie that shows, among other things, former president Harry S. Truman and former first lady Bess Truman attending a Kansas City Athletics baseball game.

Date(s)
September 18, 1955
Available Format(s)
Motion Picture

SD-quality copies of already digitized motion pictures are available for $20, and HD-quality copies of already digitized motion pictures are $50. Copies of motion pictures not already digitized will incur additional costs.

This item does not circulate but reproductions may be purchased.

To request a copy of this item, please contact truman.reference@nara.gov​​​​​​​

Moving Image Type
Motion Picture

Shot List

Home movies showing the Kansas City Athletics versus Chicago White Sox baseball game at Municipal Stadium, September 18, 1955. This was the closing game of the KC Athletics' first season. KC Mayor H. Roe Bartle speaks into microphone in an on-field ceremony at beginning of game, with team owner Arnold Johnson. Shown playing for the Athletics in the footage is number 30 Gus Zernial, who hit a grand slam home run; number 7 at first base is Vic Power; and number 33 is Enos Slaughter. Catching for Chicago is number 26, Earl Battey; pitching is number 20, Sandy Consuegra.

Bess Truman and Harry Truman are in the stands watching the game. The camera pans around the outfield wall from left field to center. The crowd enters the field after the game, and Mr. Truman stands and smiles and doffs his hat at someone.

After the baseball game, there are scenes from a backyard cookout and several men stand and talk in a driveway. All are unidentified.

NOTE: The season's attendance was 1,393,054, which ranked third in the major leagues behind the NY Yankees and the Milwaukee Braves. 31,034 attended this game, including Harry and Bess Truman.