_________________________________________________________ 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, 1998-2009 TXU877085, TXU959430, TXU973266, TXU013972, TXU986753, TXU949885, TXU004037, TXU022893, TXU026161, TXU047111, TXU050230, TXU061149, TXU088068, TXU120937, TXU148132, TXU163784, TXU170668, TXU196853, TXU211917, TXU216769, TXU234252, TXU253116, TXU260664, TXU276615, TXU288273, TXU311442, TXU348663, TXU346055, TXU1OPSAH, TXU1Z5BTB, TXU2ACJSN Issue Number 00434 _________________________________________________________ Volume XII, Number 05 Publisher and Author April 9, 2009 Richard C. Jaffeson Washington, DC HallFame@usa.com http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame _________________________________________________________ 2008 NWB HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS MELISSA GIBBONS AND ROSIE WEAVER SEE THE WEBSITE FOR ALL "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, NELSON, DOMINGUEZ, TRIOLO, RANISZEWSKI, GIBBONS, WEAVER TED WILLIAMS WEBSITE http://www.saveted.net _________________________________________________________ A. COLUMN: ABBOTT AND CIULLO VISIT THE BATTING CAGES During a mild spring April shower, two recently revitalized long-time entertainment partners vibrantly converse within a neighborhood coffee shop in northwest suburban Washington, and raucously argue over a poker hand as the rain continues. Betting to an unsuccessful inside straight with considerable ineptness and displaying their typical ineffective abilities at playing cards, one of the duo suddenly decides to switch topics to another subject of great interest pending from a previous week. At that moment, Louise Ciullo restates a resolve to visit a batting cage, and prepare for spring tryouts. However, topkick Buddie Abbott is somewhat reticent about the idea. Lou: "But, Abbott you promised! You know, a promise is a promise, and you certainly gave your word. I haven't held a baseball bat in 50 years. Babe Ruth's training or not, I gotta get my timing back if I'm gonna make those feisty festive Flames. This is my big chance. I don't want to disappoint JoAnn. Let's go to the cages!" Bud: "Lou, don't worry, don't worry, you'll be in demand. After all, there's no player alive today who took batting practice directly from Babe Ruth himself." Lou: "Yeah, but it's been a long time. I could be rusty." Bud: "Look outside! You'll be even more rusty if you try swinging in the rain." Lou: "There you go talking about Hollywood and the movies, and I'm trying to cover baseball practice." Bud: "I certainly did nothing of the kind." Lou: "You said 'singing!' I just heard you. Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds have nothing to do with this." Bud: "I said 'swinging' with an extra 'w' in it, and not 'singing.' Besides, Gene Kelly was pretty good handling the lumber in 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame' in 1949 once he stopped reaching and putting his foot-in-the-bucket." Lou: "Esther Williams taught him to avoid that problem. She also is revitalized, and around somewhere poolside." Bud: "In the movie, Esther became the team's owner, and always is a wonderful and effective athlete and actress. She was assigned to the MGM studio, while we were under contract with Universal." Lou: "We had Mamie Van Doren on the lot! Wooo, wooo!!! Bud: "Hey, enough of that! Tell me, what was the name of the baseball team Esther inherited? Bet you forgot." Lou: "Of course not, the Wolves! Thought you'd catch me! Double or nothing? OK, it's my turn, in 'Who's on First,' what was our team's name?" Bud: "Why don't you ask something difficult? Originally, we were the Saint Louis Wolves, but sometimes I'd change the name. With four performances for FDR, I substituted Senators in the opening lines." Lou: "Yeah, because that was special. It was suppose to be Wolves, we had the routine copyrighted as Wolves, and in our movie 'Naughty Nineties' in 1945 the uniform you wore read Wolves across the front in large letters." Bud: "Now who's talking about movies? I thought we were suppose to discuss baseball, batting cages, and your goal of making those fabulous Flames this season." Lou: "Yeah, but it's raining. Nobody hits the ball when it's raining." Bud: "Well, I know a place where you can go batting to your heart's content. Whether it's raining or snowing, it doesn't matter because the cages are covered and the balls are coated." Lou: "Oh, oh, and where might that range possibly be?!" [aside] "...as if I didn't know." Duo: "Rocky Gorge!" Lou: "OK, that's straight out Columbia Pike in Maryland. Let's go to the cages!" Bud: "Yes, that's correct! And, we can also stop by the Pet Barn because it's right along the way." Lou: "Why stop there?" Bud: "You like dogs and all kinds of pet things don't you?" Lou: "Sure, everybody does. We had dogs when I was a kid in Paterson, and there were cats all over the neighborhood. I even think Miss Whitehead had a cat." Bud: "Well, Pet Barn has all sorts of items to pamper and please dogs, and cats. They have food, toys, equipment, and supplies; this place has everything any canine could ever desire. There's even a doggie bakery." Lou: "A bakery for dogs? Are those dogs bakers or barkers? You know, it's just a matter of an extra 'r.'" Bud: "Be serious! The store bakery is a huge display case filled with tasty and healthy treats for dogs, which give them clean teeth and sweet breath, and it makes them happy." "Pet Barn is a store where canines are treated like kings. 'It's good to be a dog!'" Lou: "Do they have doggie frisbees at Pet Barn like those we saw at Oronoco Park in Alexandria?" Bud: "Yes, I'm sure they do, and sometimes there are also greyhounds at Pet Barn." Lou: "Yeah, I like the Italian ones. We saw them playing frisbee last month at the park." Bud: "Those at Pet Barn are much larger, and were former racers in Philadelphia. Once a month the Greyhound Rescue League meets at the store. They come from all over town." Lou: "Do you think today we will see any greyhounds?" Bud: "Hmmm, probably not on this visit. But, there should be someone else we'll meet who we've talked about before." Lou: "Oh, a mystery celebrity just like on our radio show." Bud: "Sure, it's something like that, and you enjoyed those surprise segments. This time it's the store proprietor." Lou: "Prop... what? Movies, again?!" Bud: "No, it's pro-pri-e-tor. You know, --captain, topdog, mistress, concierge, or landlady. She's the store owner." Lou: "Well, why didn't you say so?! Like, Esther Williams!" Bud: "Not exactly, but close. I'll give you a little hint. She was an all-star athlete whose last name begins with one of the first three letters in the alphabet." Lou: "Wow, a celebrity quiz! OK, I'm ready; it's either an 'A,' 'B,' or 'C.'" Bud: "Yes, that's correct. You're off to a fine start." Lou: "Since 'A' stands for Abbott, it can't be that; and 'C' could be either Ciullo or Ciulla, that's a matter of changing an 'o' or 'a,' but that's out, too." Bud: "You're getting warmer. Go on, go on!" Lou: "Bingo! This has to start with a 'B!'" Bud: "Correct! Lou, why I'm truly amazed." Lou: "Well, lots of things start with a 'B' like basketball and baseball. Say am I getting any closer?" Bud: "Right on target! Do numbers 14 and 40 ring any bells? And, she went into action for George Washington." Lou: "Not the real George Washington, it was a little before my time, but I know who you mean, --a Colonial who played for George Washington as an all-star on the hard court, and later a hall of famer on the green diamond." "You're trying to get me into hot water by saying her name, which begins with a 'B,' but I won't do it. You're trying to trick me, but I won't get into that routine again." Bud: "Me trick you? I should say not! I'd never do anything of the kind, not in this lifetime. We're on good behavior." Lou: "You're always correcting me. This time I was right, and I'll finally get to meet #14. Ah, ha, I didn't say it!" Bud: "OK, you win. Let's get something to eat before riding over there. You'll need some food especially if you're going to do a lot of heavy hitting." Lou: "Sure, I'm in the mood for hot dogs. Babe Ruth always ate plenty of hot dogs for extra energy." Bud: "With or without mustard?" Lou: "What does mustard gotta do with anything? Sometimes I like mustard, and sometimes I don't, because it all depends. Today I'm not in a mustard mood!" Bud: "Where is your sense of national patriotism?" Lou: "Hey, what does that have to do with mustard?" Bud: "People's jobs depend upon your consumption of mustard. Do you realize in ballparks this summer they'll eat more than 22 million hot dogs with mustard?! Those games alone will require one-quarter million gallons of mustard which come from hundreds of mustard factories across the country." Lou: "Well, I never thought about it quite that way before." Bud: "Certainly, that's part of the problem. I have to do all the thinking around here for both of us. Who ever heard of anyone not using mustard?!" Lou: "So, my patriotic duty is to eat hot dogs with mustard?" Bud: "Yes, of course, it is! You shouldn't even ask such a question. Do you realize folks at French's in Rochester are depending upon you? And, how about Hellman's mustard makers in plants everywhere, and Heinz in Pittsburgh? Those people need their jobs, too!" Lou: "Or, in New Jersey, don't forget Campbell's in Camden. And, Hellman's is headquartered in Englewood Cliffs, which isn't too far from Paterson." "Hmmm, Hellman's has great mayonnaise, and Heinz makes a pretty good ketchup, but I like French's mustard best." Bud: "Well, that's a good thing! After my brother Harry's vaudeville theater, The Corinthian, closed in Rochester, he opened a hot dog restaurant on the lake at Sea Breeze named Abbott's, and used only the finest ingredients." Duo: "French's!" Bud: "Now that's the spirit, especially in today's times of economic concern. Everyone has to do their part." Duo: "Mustard on hot dogs!" Lou: "Babe Ruth always loved hot dogs, but I don't know if he used mustard. Does McCormick's make mustard?" Bud: "Probably, but in the dry form as a spice, and not for consumption exactly the way we're talking about." Lou: "And, I noticed that drug stores still have those great Babe Ruth candy bars." Bud: "Yes, since 1921, and that's Baby Ruth with a 'y' and not an 'e.' The candy bar was actually named after Grover Cleveland's baby daughter Ruth." Lou: "You mean my favorite candy bar was not named after our favorite baseball player?" Bud: "Well, it probably was considering the date it was introduced and the popularity of the Yankee's Babe Ruth. But, Otto Schnering, the candy company owner, wanted to avoid royalties and trademark issues. He claimed it was named after President Cleveland's daughter." Lou: "Babe Ruth joined the Yankees for the 1920 season, and Yankee Stadium opened in April 1923, 'The House that Ruth Built.' It seems to me more than any coincidence a candy bar named Baby Ruth made its debut in 1921." Bud: "True, especially since Ruth Cleveland passed away in 1904 nearly 17 years before the candy bar was made." "Capitalizing on Bambino and Yankee successes, by 1926 the Baby Ruth became the world's most popular confection with more than 5 million bars sold per day." Lou: "Wow! Hey, that's nearly 2 billion bars per year." Bud: "Correct! I'm amazed Lou at your fast calculation." Lou: "Well, it's just a few more zeros! Heh, heh, heh!" Bud: "I'm getting hungry, too. Let's have some hot dogs." Lou: "With mustard, of course!" Bud: "But, wait a minute, wait a minute; afterwards how are we going to get to Rocky Gorge?" Lou: "On my motorbike, when it stops raining. This is the same one I rode all over the back lot. It was still in the Universal warehouse, and they shipped it east." Bud: "Oh, brother, some partner, the topkick has to ride in the sidecar." Lou: "Yeah, now that's settled it's time to eat, and then let's go to the cages!" Note: This is a continuation of the article, "Abbott and Ciullo at Spring Training," March 26, 2009. There have been three additional new stories featuring the comedy team: "Abbott and Ciullo Celebrate George's Birthday," February 22, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo in Washington," December 17, 2008; and "Abbott and Ciullo Meet Ted Williams," November 28, 2008. The movie "Naughty Nineties" released in 1945 and 1950 featured the only movie version of the "Who's on First" routine in which Bud Abbott wears a Saint Louis Wolves uniform. This is recognized as the best rendition they presented, and each live performance was slightly different. A recording of this scene is continuously played at Cooperstown since it was enshrined in 1956. Said Lou Costello on the routine's selection, "This is better than getting an Oscar. Every year there is another group of Oscar winners. But, to have a place alongside Babe Ruth's bat, Ty Cobb's glove, and other displays of immortal names is a greater glory." A special plaque was awarded to Abbott and Costello by Leo Durocher. The "Mustard Routine" was a classic vaudeville and burlesque skit performed by hundreds of comedy teams (straight man and comic partner). According to legendary entertainer Bobby Clark, no duo had better stage presence and delivery than Abbott and Costello. The above rendition in this new story is a brief updated version. The Pet Barn proprietor during college was an all-star forward at George Washington University, and afterwards played baseball for the BarnCats in Montgomery County, Maryland. Ballentine was inducted into the NWB Hall of Fame in 2001. The comedy duo's names featured in these stories were changed to Buddie Abbott and Louise Ciullo (derived from Ciulla, NWB Hall of Fame in 2003). B. NWB HALL OF FAME PRODUCTS These baseball items are available from the NWB Hall of Fame: commemorative buttons (2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, and 1999), t-shirts, caps, and bats. Also, free commemorative ribbons are available. The website homepage has an order form, and the photo page displays several items. http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame C. HISTORIC TIMELINE 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 MLB game with Yankees. April 14, 1941 Pete Rose birthdate, former MLB player. April 14, 2005 First home game of new Washington Nationals. April 15, 1947 Jackie Robinson first MLB game with Dodgers. April 15, 1958 First MLB baseball game in California. San Francisco Giants with Los Angeles Dodgers. Giants 8-0 with 23,500 at Seals Stadium. April 16, 1903 Paul Waner birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 16, 1940 Bob Feller pitches Opening Day no-hitter. April 17, 1852 Cap Anson birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 17, 1820 Alexander Cartwright birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 17, 1976 Mike Schmidt hits 4 homeruns in one game. April 18, 1880 Sam Crawford birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 18, 1923 Yankee Stadium opens. April 19, 1960 Bill Veeck unveils exploding scoreboard. April 19, 1981 Longest game starts, 33 innings, Rochester Red Wings and Pawtucket Red Sox. April 20, 1891 Dave Bancroft birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 20, 1912 Fenway Park opens. April 21, 1887 Joe McCarthy birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 21, 1925 Queen Elizabeth II birthdate. April 22, 1451 Queen Isabella of Spain birthdate. April 22, 1914 Babe Ruth pitches first game, 6-0 shutout, AAA Baltimore Orioles and Buffalo Bisons. April 23, 1900 Jim Bottomley birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 23, 1921 Warren Spahn birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 23, 1954 Hank Aaron hits first home run. April 24, 1901 First American League game. April 24, 1945 A.B. Chandler elected Baseball Commissioner after Kenesaw Mountain Landis. April 25, 1884 Pop Lloyd birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 26, 1900 Hack Wilson birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 26, 1961 Roger Maris hits first home run of 61. April 27, 1896 Rogers Hornsby birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 27, 1959 Sheena Easton birthdate, singer. April 27, 1961 Enos Slaughter birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 28, 1901 White Sox hit 23 singles in one game. April 28, 1941 Ann Margaret birthdate, actor. April 28, 1971 Hank Aaron hits 600th homerun. April 29, 1876 First National League extra innings game. Boston and Hartford in 10 innings. April 29, 1934 Luis Aparicio birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. April 29, 1981 Steve Carlton strikes out 3,000th batter. April 29, 1986 Roger Clemens strikes out 20 in 9 innings. April 30, 1903 NY Highlanders (Yankees) win home opener with Washington Senators. April 30, 1922 Charles Robertson pitches perfect game. April 30, 1961 Willie Mays hits 4 homeruns in one game. D. FAME FORUM ISSUES Volume XII, 2009 Season Publications Number 05, Abbott and Ciullo Visit the Batting Cages, April 9. Number 04, Abbott and Ciullo at Spring Training, March 26. Number 03, Abbott and Ciullo Celebrate George's Birthday, February 22. Number 02, Commemorative NWB Hall of Fame Buttons, February 20. Number 01, That Was the Year That Was, January 2. http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame/handouts 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 with 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. 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, TXU276615, TXU288273, TXU311442, TXU348663, TXU346055. TXU1OPSAH, TXU1Z5BTB, TXU2ACJSN Copyrights(c), NWB Hall of Fame, 1998-2009 __________________________________________________________