Beginning as a Washington Senators rookie in 1971, future Mets third baseman Lenny Randle was managed by Ted Williams, who introduced him to friend and then-Vice President Richard Nixon.
"He's a funny guy, he's comical," Randle recalled, speaking to METSellaneous from Italy, where he's coaching. "'Lenny, spit on my shoes,'" Randle mimicked, doing his best Nixon impression. "'Make it perfectly clear, spit on my shoes. I just want to be one of the guys. Give me some tobacco on the shoes. Let's go to the batting cage.'"
As the Mets leadoff man in 1977, Randle hit .304 with 33 steals. That July 13th as Randle steps in against Cubs pitcher Ray Burris, New York City's blackout strikes, suddenly darkening Shea Stadium.
"And I'm thinking, I'm from Compton," Randle said. "We play with car lights. I can see the ball, I'm fine," he said, laughing. "With candles we could still play. Everybody panicked but I didn't."
Playing for the Mariners in 1981, Randle famously got on all fours, blowing a ball foul after it was rolled up the third base line by the Royals' Amos Otis, later ruled an infield hit.
"I go, 'What do I do?' And Larry Anderson went, 'Do something!' He's a pitcher. Pitchers always want you to do something. So I said, 'OK.' So I jumped on the ground, I start yelling, 'Go foul! Go foul!' I'm yelling, 'Go! Go! Go foul! Go foul!' And my breath stinks. I'm sure the ball didn't like the smell of my breath."
After his career ended in 1982, Randle became the first major leaguer to play professionally in Italy, where at age 70 he still conducts youth clinics half the year.
"They made me an offer I can't refuse," Randle said. "Lifetime contract, Italy. Two games a week. It preserved my youth. I'll be 29 forever," he said, laughing. "So I left. A five-course meal, a Bimmer (BMW), Alpha Romeo. Whatever I wanted."