BASEBALL

1956

J. Hugo Aronson

X1969.14.27 a-d

America's governors convene semi-annually at meetings of the National Governors' Association to discuss issues of mutual concern. While Montana Governor J. Hugo Aronson (1891-1978) was quiet at 1956's summer gathering-making only one comment recorded in the Conference's proceedings-he served on the Resolution Committee, guaranteeing that Montana's voice was heard when it was needed. Conversely, with the Democratic National Convention only two months away, New York's voluble governor Averell Harriman hoped to gain support for his struggling presidential candidacy. He gifted baseballs signed by each of his state's three professional teams to the other governors in attendance, commenting that "there are a lot of ball games being won in the ninth inning this year." Harriman lost the nomination, but signed by legendary players like Jackie Robinson, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, and Willie Mays, the baseballs serve as unique reminders both of America's national pastime and of Montana's role in politics beyond the state's borders.