Do you remember senators Jim Bunning and Bill Bradley?

Most of us remember them as a Phillie pitcher and a New York Knick forward. However, they both spent some time after their careers serving as government officials.

With the recent presidential election, I thought I would take a look back at former athletes who served in government — as well as some other “presidential” items in this week’s Yesterday column, which reminisces about sports and pop culture from the 1960s, 70s, 80s and sometimes before and beyond the decades.

Bunning and Bradley Bridge the Gap ... Through the years, there have been numerous ex-athletes who have delved into government on all levels, too numerous for all of them to mention. So, I decided to take a look at some of the more notable and recognizable ones.

Most of us may have forgotten that Bunning’s last year with the Phillies was in 1971, his second year of a two-term stint with the Phillies. From there, he returned to his native Kentucky and began running for local government offices until he became a senator in 1980 and held it for four years. At the time, there was some talk that Bunning could be become a presidential candidate due to his baseball background.

He returned to politics as a representative in Kentucky and held that office until 1999. Like his baseball pedigree, Bunning was a stoic figure.

Always interested in politics, Bradley retired from the Knicks in 1977, and he began his career as a New Jersey senator in 1979. He became a popular figure and the Princeton grad held office until 1997.

When he left the senate, Bradley still was a major figure in the state and was urged to run as a presidential democratic candidate, as many New Jersey natives believed his basketball background would push him over the top, but it failed for the Knicks’ forward.

President Gerald Ford was a center, long snapper and linebacker at Michigan, and had offers from the Lions and Packers but went to law school.

A Uniform For a Suit ... Besides Bunning and Bradley, some of the others you may know are ex-Bills quarterback Jack Kemp, a longtime representative and a 1988 republican presidential candidate and 1996 VP candidate; ex-Seahawk wide receiver Steve Largent was an Oklahoma representative form 1995-2007; and ex-Bullet, Knick, Hawk and Buffalo Brave center Tom McMillen was a Maryland representative from 1987-93.

Legendary Vikings defensive tackle Alan Page was a Minnesota state superior court justice from 1993-2015; ex-Eagle tackle Jon Runyan was a NJ representative from 2011-15; Jim Ryan, the first to crack the four-minute mile, was a Kansas representative from 1996-2007; and Jesse ‘The Body” Ventura, who was Minnesota’s governor from 1999-2003.

Don’t forget Olympic decathlon champion Bob Mathias, who was a California representative from 1967-75.

And of course, we have to cite the former Mr. Olympia from 1970-75, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was the governor of California from 2003-11. Fellow California and ex-Dodger Steve Garvey recently ran as a republican senate candidate, but he was defeated.

By the way, “The Terminator” with “I’ll Be Back,” debuted in 1984.

All In The Candidate ... In 1972, the sitcom “All in the Family” sat at the top of the TV charts for its blatant and controversial comments of lead character and conservative Archie Bunker.

Well, it didn’t take long before there were “Archie Bunker for President” buttons and T-shirts that flooded the market. If you have one of them, hold on to it.

Classic Game (Toy) ... Keeping in line with the president theme, did any of you have the Marx toy president figurines of the late 1960s?

Marx produced small president replicas beginning with George Washington through Richard Nixon. They even had some of the leading contenders such as Nelson Rockefeller, Ronald Reagan and Robert Kennedy. They were well crafted and truly lifelike.

I know I had a few of them and can remember Thomas Jefferson and John Kennedy. You can find them on eBay, but Robert Kennedy, Rockefeller and Reagan are very rare and expensive.

Aside from a sports collection, this was pretty — to use a yesterday term — “neat.”

Readers Write

On Phillies’ first baseman and a Blackjack

Hey Jeff!

Great column last week!

Of course I remember Danny Cater. Anybody who remembers the 1964 team should remember him. In 1964, it was his rookie year. He appeared in only 60 games, because he was out with an injury. He did, however, hit .296. He was mostly a first baseman, but also played third and the corner outfield positions. His last season was 1975. He finished his career with a .276 average, mostly singles but with doubles, triples and a few home runs thrown in.

He played for the Phillies for only one season. He was traded to the White Sox for pitcher Ray Herbert, who didn’t set the world on fire. He won only six games in 1965.

Later on in the 1964 season, the Phils picked up veteran first baseman Frank Thomas, who provided power down the stretch until he became injured. No, he wasn’t THE Frank Thomas.

They still needed a first baseman for the 1965 season, since Thomas was released. He became involved in some sort of altercation with Dick Allen in the batting cage. The Phils traded pitcher Dennis Bennett to the Red Sox for Dick Stuart for the 1965 season.

I believe Blackjack Mulligan (aka Robert Windham) was managed at one time by the Grand Wizard himself! His son Barry Windham later wrestled as Blackjack Mulligan, Jr.

Richie Hebner gave the Phils two years of solid offense. He was traded because there was a new kid in town — Pete Rose.

I was not overly impressed by the Dodgers and the Yankees. The Phils could have won it all.

On a sad note, I read that they gave up on Scott Kingery, who went to the Angels. He could have been a “super sub,” pinch hitting, pinch running and filling in anywhere in the infield or outfield. If only he was a better hitter!

Richard Ochs

Walnutport, PA

Editor’s Note: Thanks, Richard, and as always, great stuff!

WWWF/WWE Wrap ... Each week, I’ll recount the escapades of a former pro wrestler from our youth.

Do you remember “The Fabulous Moolah?” She became an overnight institution in wrestling, as well as the most recognized women’s wrestler who won her first women’s title in 1956 in the NWA and held the belt for 28 years. He made her way into the WWWF in the late 1970s and was a champion until she was beaten by Wendi Richter in 1984.

Born Lillian Ellison in South Carolina, Moolah wrestled under her real name and also “Slave Girl Moolah” in her early days. She was a numerous tag-team champion, and was a four-time world champion, incredibly winning her last title at the age of 79. However, Moolah won her last match in 2004 at the age of 81 when she teamed with May Young.

Overall, Moolah compiled an outstanding overall record of 758-142-26 in 924 matches. She passed away in her home state of South Carolina at the age of 84 in 2007, three years after her final match.

Even though she was despised by many due to her reported nature, Moolah has a presidential status in women’s wrestling.

Batman Bite ... Periodically, I’ll take a look back at the fabled 1966 series, my favorite one of all time.

I can think back to two presidential references, all from Lyndon B. Johnson. In “Dizzhonor The Penguin,” Batman receives a call from Johnson at the end of the episode and is asked to run for the governor of California; in the “Batman” movie, we see LBJ in a chair facing the audience with his two beagles, and he was delighted that the Caped Crusaders saved the U.N. Security Council.

Also, in “The Bat’s Kow Tow,” Catwoman stole the voices of British stars Chad and Jeremy as part of her crime spree. Commissioner Gordon received a presumed call from LBJ and gave his regards to “Hubert” (Vice President Humphrey).

By the way, Chad and Jeremy’s top hit was “A Summer Song,” which reached No. 7 here in October of 1964. Remember that one?

One-Hit Wonder ... In 1970, the Presidents, a Washington, D.C. soul group, released “5-10-15-20-25-30 Years of Love,” which reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

If you knew it, you deserve a gold star. Use it as a song stumper.

Memory Lane ... Each week, I’ll look back at a former player, coach, manager or media personality from our yesterday.

Do you remember Eagles’ linebacker Gary Cobb? He had three productive years with the Birds from 1985-1987. However, some may forget that he was traded from the Lions to the Eagles for Wilbert Montgomery, who was in the middle of a contract dispute.

Originally drafted by Dallas in 1979, Cobb returned there as a free agent in 1988 and played two seasons.

Cobb then began his successful broadcast and radio career on Channel 29 and WIP radio.

In 2014, Cobb ran for New Jersey representative, but he was defeated.

Feedback ... Your thoughts are always welcomed. Email them to tnsports@tnonline.com