Save Newport Real News in Newport Beach
Today is Ronald Reagan’s birthday– but did you know of the local role our beach culture played in the ascension of arguably the greatest president in generations?
Most people don’t know this, but Reagan got his start as a sports announcer for the Chicago Cubs during their Spring Training. Where did they train? Wrigley field, of course! No, not that one. The original one, on Catalina Island, which the Wrigley family used to own. You know– the same Wrigley Family that lived at the end of Balboa Peninsula. Yep, that one. (Great side-history: Catalina Island was home to the original Wrigley Field!)
So Reagan would regularly depart by boat from Balboa Peninsula from the Wrigley house to his job on Catalina Island, where the young, handsome sportscaster quickly made a name for himself and befriended some of the worlds wealthiest people– unbeknownst to him, these people would later help bolster him into the governorship, and later, the presidency. The conservative enthusiast dabbled in Hollywood for a while, but it became clear: The Newport and Catalina groups had bigger plans for him. Bolstered by a strong and wealthy following already familiar with his name and voice, Reagan went on to become the governor of California, and later to President of the United States.
The Wrigley House– or Twin Palms– was recently torn down at the end of 2014. A true loss of history.
Today, let us celebrate the birthday of a our hometown hero, and a president who will long be remembered: Ronald Reagan.
Special thanks to Balboa Peninsula resident and historian Bob Ruper for this incredible bit of history, whose family also owned the Wrigley House until its very last days.
