_________________________________________________________ F A M E F O R U M N E W S L E T T E R N A T I O N A L W O M E N 'S B A S E B A L L H A L L O F F A M E National Syndicated Column (contents are protected) Copyrights(c), NWB Hall of Fame, 1998-2006 TXU877085, TXU959430, TXU973266, TXU013972, TXU986753, TXU949885, TXU004037, TXU022893, TXU026161, TXU047111, TXU050230, TXU061149, TXU088068, TXU120937, TXU148132, TXU163784, TXU170668, TXU196853, TXU211917, TXU216769, TXU234252, TXU253116, TXU260664, TXU180346, and TXU181096. Issue Number 00332 _________________________________________________________ Volume IX, Number 11 Publisher and Author April 7, 2006 Richard C. Jaffeson Washington, DC HallFame@usa.com http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame _________________________________________________________ 2005 NWB HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS WINTER, BRENNEMAN, SWEENEY, FERENO SEE THE WEBSITE PHOTO PAGES "HALL OF FAMERS" http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame/albums DIDRIKSON, HOWARD, SCHILLACE, DANCER, FERGUSON, WINTER, WRIGHT, LUKASIK, MILLIKEN, BALLENTINE, GEYER, WALLACE, CIULLA, GUIDACE, MACURIO, SHELDON, BEAUCHAMP, HUDSON, BRENNEMAN, FERENO, SWEENEY TED WILLIAMS WEBSITE http://www.saveted.net _________________________________________________________ A. COLUMN: WAY TO GO JOLTIN' JO A recent rendition of a hit song from the summer of 1941 served as an introduction while the broadcast's host and invited guest positioned themselves near the microphones and became comfortable as the revised new lyrics mingled with an accompanying ageless catchy schoolyard tune and merrily reverberated around the studio. "She stars on baseball's hottest team, and gets everyone all aglow. She's just one gal who plays supreme, Joltin' Jo from Bent Willow." "Hey, Jo, Jo what do ya know, we all want you on our side." "She formed those Flames back in 1992, and in talent they did grow. Managing or playing Jo comes through, her teammates she will show." "Hey, Jo, Jo what do ya know, we all want you on our side." "Niner's trusted bat is sure and fast, other pitchers warily state. As her RBI's add up with every crack, and Flamers cross homeplate." "Hey, Jo, Jo what do ya know, we all want you on our side." "A Philadelphia lady Mack would adore, proudly Jo holds an Ivy PhD. Like Mack she directs diamond scores, also presides over a league." "Hey, Jo, Jo what do ya know, we all want you on our side." "All the Flamers will sing her praise, Laura, Rosie, and Steph too. For many champs Jo's made sunny days, they shout Milli-ken can do!" "Hey, Jo, Jo what do ya know, we all want you on our side." "She lives on in the NWB Hall of Fame, inducted in 2000 oh, oh, oh. Others will tell their kids her name, Joltin' Jo from Bent Willow." As the latest version of that once popular baseball song faded, the studio guest patiently waited for the interview to commence, and was first to remark about the unexpected rendition. Guest: "What in the world was that? I've heard many versions of the 'Joltin' Joe DiMaggio' song before, but this was a new twist. Who's Jo Milliken? What are the Flames?" Emcee: "Our show tonight is about baseball and your observations regarding the game. I thought the updated version of a 1941 hit which we discovered would help set the tone for this interview." Guest: "Well, yes, 1941 was an unusual year in baseball and for the nation. We lost Lou Gehrig that June. Joe DiMaggio set his 56 game streak that July, for which your song was first written. Ted Williams batted .406 in that season. And, Pearl Harbor was attacked during December." Emcee: "We know DiMaggio and Williams had great seasons in 1941. Who do you think should have been the MVP?" Guest: "Well, that's not an easy first question. Ted Williams had better overall statistics, and a .406 season batting average, which he earned right up to the last day. Joe DiMaggio's batted .357 with 125 RBI's and 30 homeruns, but he also had a 56 game streak from May 15 through July 16 in which he hit .408." "You're really asking is which was the greater accomplishment, a 56 game hitting streak or 154 game .406 season average. Both were significant and remarkable, and haven't since been matched. They played hard and hit away, even though an occasional bunt would have assisted." "One way to look at it would be which record is most likely to be exceeded. With today's improved pitching and potential injuries, a season average would appear to be more difficult to sustain. However, the same conclusion could be stated about a streak, but it only needs to be maintain for at least two months. There are 3 at bats per game, perhaps 4 trips to the plate on teams which are hitting well and in contention. A player needs one hit per game to sustain a streak, and that's one of three or one of four successful at bats per game." "Someone with an approach to hitting as Ty Cobb or Willie Keeler might accumulate a respectable streak. With the perspective of, 'just meet the ball,' and, 'hit 'em where they ain't,' any good batter should regularly get on base. Even when Cobb was having a slump, he'd bunt, and do anything to reach first." "In 24 years, Cobb earned an unsurpassed .367 average with only 118 homeruns. In 19 years, Keeler averaged .343, and accumulated only 34 homeruns. Of course, that was in the deadball era, and players had to learn how to place the ball." Emcee: "You mentioned Cobb and Keeler. What about Joe Jackson?" Guest: "Oh, you know about him. He played 13 years in the majors, including one year after the 1919 tragedy, and averaged .356 with 54 homeruns." "Cobb once said to Jackson in the late 1940's while visiting his home in Greenville, 'Joe, you had the most natural ability and the greatest swing I ever saw.' Ty Cobb wasn't one to lavish compliments, but he respected Joe Jackson." Emcee: "So did Ted Williams." Guest: "Williams had similar sentiments regarding Jackson, and more often stated them. He modeled his classic swing after Joe, and also was interested in having Jackson reinstated in baseball. Williams was one of the first to be honored at the Joe Jackson Museum in Greenville." "The museum was actually Joe's home on Wilburn Avenue from 1941 until his passing in 1951. The structure is a modest 1930's style brick rambler, and each room contains displays." "In March 2006, the house was moved brick by brick to Field Street near the Greenville baseball park, and will remain as his museum. Joe Jackson still garners considerable attention, and imagine what his record would have been if he continued to play, which he did incognito unofficially on barnstorming teams and semipro leagues for nearly 20 years, always returning to Greenville." "He called his bats 'Black Betsy,' rubbed them in tobacco juice, and wrapped them in cotton cloth. One old Betsy from 1910-1911 sold at auction in the Louisville Slugger Museum for $137,500 in November 2004, while Ty Cobb's fetched $132,000." Emcee: "To change the subject slightly, the Ted Williams Museum and Hitter's Hall of Fame has been in the news lately, too." Guest: "There is a connection. As I mentioned, Williams greatly admired Jackson. Also, a former director of the Williams museum, Arthur 'Buzz' Hamon became the public relations director for the Jackson museum until his passing in February 2004. Hamon was involved with efforts to have Williams remains released from that deep freeze in Arizona." http://www.saveted.net "This week the Williams museum in Florida moved. The original location was at Hernando in a beautiful diamond-shaped national award winning building, which opened in February 1994. There were numerous exhibits and artifacts. This week it closed and April 10 will reopen in Tropicana Field, home of the Devil Rays." http://www.twmuseum.com Emcee: "Why did it move?" Guest: "Officially, lack of attendance because of its location. By comparison, central New York isn't exactly accessible either, especially during winter. When Ted Williams was alive he would often be there, which was reason enough for visitors to attend. There were also management concerns working against rather than in favor of continuance." "It was interesting to read the headlines regarding this change to see which were factual and objective. Here are some examples." "Museum on the Move," Miami Herald "Ted Williams Museum in Florida Closing," First Coast News "Ted Williams Museum in Florida Closes," CBS4 Boston "Ted Williams Museum Closes its Doors for Good," ESPN USA "Williams Museum has New Home," Bay News 9 Tampa "Ted Williams Museum Strikes Out with Fans," CBS4 Miami Emcee: "Which one is correct?" Guest: "An accurate headline should read that the museum is being 'relocated' or 'moved.'" "In fact, the Williams museum will become an exhibit in an arcade next to the Devil Ray's gift shop. In this manner, it continues, but will only be open when there are home games. There probably will not be enough room for all the items from the original site." "There should be a strong organization promoting achievements of Ted Williams. His museum has been relegated to a limited site, substantially reduced in size, and in a place he never played. This is Ted Williams, and he should be afforded more attention. Even 'Joltin' Joe' has his own songs." Emcee: "An interesting concluding insight, and we appreciated all of your comments. Since we don't have a 'Splinter Serenade' cued up tonight, here is a verse from the original version of 'Joltin' Joe,' featuring the Les Brown orchestra and sung by Betty Bonney in 1941." "Joltin' Joe DiMaggio" (The One Man Show) "He started baseball's famous streak, that's got us all aglow. He's just a man and not a freak, Joltin' Joe DiMaggio. Joe Joe DiMaggio, we want you on our side." Note: 'Joltin' Joe DiMaggio,' 1941, lyrics and music by Alan Courtney and Ben Homer. JoAnn Milliken is the Virginia Flames founder and manager, and commissioner of the Eastern Women's Baseball Conference. The Flames are perennial favorites in that league. B. NWB HALL OF FAME PRODUCTS These baseball items are available from the NWB Hall of Fame: new induction poster, commemorative buttons (2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, and 1999), personalized magnetic locker nametags, t-shirts, caps, knife, and model bats. The website main page has order information, and the photo page displays most items. http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame C. HISTORIC TIMELINE April 6, 1903 Mickey Cochrane birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 6, 1908 Ernie Lombardi birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 6, 1952 Mari Lou Henner birthdate, Emmy Award actor. April 6, 1973 Designated hitter rule introduced. April 6, 1977 Mariners start as expansion team in Seattle. April 7, 1873 John McGraw birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 7, 1918 Bobby Doerr birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 7, 1970 Brewers start as transition team in Milwaukee. April 7, 1977 Blue Jays start as expansion team in Toronto. April 8, 1946 Catfish Hunter birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 8, 1974 Hank Aaron sets 715 home run record. April 8, 1975 Frank Robinson starts as Cleveland manager. April 9, 1893 Mary Pickford birthdate, silent film actor. April 9, 1913 Ebbets Field in Brooklyn opens. April 9, 1993 Rockies start as expansion team in Denver. April 10, 1880 Francis Perkins birthdate, Labor Secretary. April 10, 1897 Ross Youngs birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 10, 1962 Colts (Astros) start expansion team in Houston. April 11, 1961 Angels start as expansion team in Los Angeles. April 11, 1962 Mets start as expansion team in New York. April 12, 1880 Eddie Joss birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 12, 1900 Joe Lapchick birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 12, 1955 Athletics start as transition team in Kansas City. April 12, 1966 Braves start as transition team in Atlanta. April 13, 1953 Braves start as transition team in Milwaukee. April 13, 1969 Expos start as expansion team in Montreal. April 13, 1984 Pete Rose has 4,000 hit. April 14, 1866 Anne Sullivan birthdate, taught Helen Keller. April 14, 1910 President Taft starts first Opening Day. April 14, 1920 Babe Ruth first game as a Yankee. April 14, 1941 Pete Rose birthdate, MLB player. April 14, 2005 First home game of new Washington Nationals. D. FAME FORUM ISSUES Volume IX, 2006 Season Publications Number 11, Way to Go Joltin' Jo (Joes and Jo), April 7. Number 10, Alibi Isis Misses Spring Training, March 31. Number 09, Clifford Wears Some Green, March 15. Number 08, Let the Games Begin (1936 Olympics), March 14. Number 07, To Be or Not to Be (Williams), February 24. Number 06, Clifford's Favorite Valentine, February 10. Number 05, Models D29 and 36D (Marilyn), February 5. Number 04, Additional Recognition (letter), February 1. Number 03, Breaking Away (DiMaggio), January 20. Number 02, Annie's Big Apple (Runyon), January 10. Number 01, That Was the Year That Was (2005), January 1. http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame/news E. NWB HALL OF FAME PROGRAMS The National Women's Baseball Hall of Fame, an independent not-for-profit organization established September 1998, is situated in suburban Washington, DC. The objective is to recognize achievements of women in regulation baseball. The NWB Hall of Fame offers these programs for participants in regulation baseball with organized leagues. Managers are are encouraged to recommend recognition awards and suggest articles on their teams, players, or events. Applications are available through email and are posted on the website. NWB HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS Nominations for the NWB Hall of Fame are due September 30. Inductions may include four current and one previous players by formal application or candidate statement. NATIONAL MVP AND MANAGER AWARDS MVP player and manager award requests are due December 31. Season nominations should be by a manager or administrator. One MVP player per team may be selected annually. Membership covers transmission of newsletters, announcements, invitations, applications, and access to all website pages. Membership is $9.00 renewed annually, and an application is available on the NWB Hall of Fame website. _________________________________________________________ NATIONAL WOMEN'S BASEBALL HALL OF FAME Richard C. Jaffeson, Executive Director PO Box 15282, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20825 301-847-0102 HallFame@USA.com http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame "National Women's Baseball Hall of Fame" is a registered trade name with the State of Maryland. MD672265, October 19, 1998. "National Women's Baseball Hall of Fame" is a Trademark/Servicemark pending with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Programs, articles, and contents presented herein are protected under provisions of the U.S. Copyright Office, Library of Congress. Fame Forum registrations are listed below: TXU877085, TXU959430, TXU973266, TXU013972, TXU986753, TXU949885, TXU004037, TXU022893, TXU026161, TXU047111, TXU050230, TXU061149, TXU088068, TXU120937, TXU148132, TXU163784, TXU170668, TXU196853, TXU211917, TXU216769, TXU234252, TXU253116, TXU260664, TXU180346, and TXU181096. Copyrights(c), NWB Hall of Fame, 1998-2006 __________________________________________________________