_________________________________________________________ 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, TXU608273, TXU1Z5BTB, TXU2ACJSN, TXU34SIZX. Issue Number 00445 _________________________________________________________ Volume XII, Number 16 Publisher and Author August 21, 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 JOIN THE FOREIGN SERVICE Riding along Dolley Madison Boulevard on an exceptionally warm August afternoon with temperatures in the low 90's, Buddie Abbott and Louise Ciullo causally observe the sign at the "National Intelligence Center" while journeying to lunch at Tyson's Corner in Lou's most unconventional form of transport which had been in storage at Universal Studio in Hollywood for decades, and was subsequently shipped to the east coast after the comedic duo became revitalized. Abbott never drove an automobile, in this or any lifetime, except briefly an open electric cart which set technicians constructed for him to ride around the studio's back lot. Thus, they both were entirely dependent upon Lou's trusted two-wheeled steed with sidecar for topkick Abbott. The aforementioned sign caught the duo's attention while waiting for a red light to change at the facility's main entrance, and as usual Lou was first to comment. Lou: "Hey, Abbott, look what that sign says, that's not too smart to advertise. And, they call it 'intelligence?'" Bud: "Well, for once you do have a good point, that's the Central Intelligence Agency, you know, The CIA. Everyone driving along Dolley Madison is aware of its location." Lou: "They ought to label it the 'Highway Department,' or 'Potomac Waterworks,' or 'Federal Communications' because that's were top secrets are kept that nobody should know." Bud: "I'm certain our country's adversaries would find the site whatever it was labeled. The sign is to clearly warn the general public. No Tom, Dick, or Harry would dare go down that road just to ask for directions, or if they were out of gas. With that sign, they'd know better." Lou: "Yeah, like 'No Trespassing' and 'Beware the Dog.'" Bud: "Certainly, it's for the public's own good, and our enemies better watch out. But, this does give me an idea." Lou: "Is it about baseball?" Bud: "Naturally, this time you're right on the money, and it could result in a spot for you with the Flames. You'd like that now wouldn't you?" Lou: "You mean my most favorite team in all of baseball?! They're the most historic high scoring club in sports!" Bud: "Yes, one in the same!" Lou: "Oh, Abbott I would do anything to join the Flames, and have been waiting all summer, but they never seem to have room on the team r-o-s-t-e-r." "This could be my very last chance to wear Flames colors. I'd sure look good in red!" Bud: "Well, if my plan works, they'll have to make room, it'll be necessary, a matter of national security." Lou: "Come on Abbott, what's your new scheme? It's gotta be legit, completely on the up-and-up, and Miss Whitehead would approve, if she were still around." Bud: "Don't worry, don't worry, have I ever steered you in the wrong direction? I should say not! And, as for Whitehead, she would heartily endorse my idea." Lou: [aside] "Did he just say 'hardly' or 'heartily?'" "What's your big idea? Now tell me, we're all waiting!" Bud: "As you know, the Flames have moved their homefield from Marshall to Langley right near here. This sometimes happens in baseball." Lou: "Yeah, the Yankees moved from the Polo Grounds which they shared with the Giants to their new stadium in 1923." Bud: "Naturally, 'The House that Ruth Built;' he is still our favorite baseball hero." "Similarly, the Washington ballclub moved from Griffith Stadium across town to DC Municipal Stadium in 1962 which was renamed RFK Stadium in 1968. There was no team here after 1971, but as of 2005 there was a new ballclub with new digs, and another stadium along South Capitol Street." "There's nothing unusual about a baseball team changing locations. Apparently, for the remainder of this season, the Flames are no longer at Marshall Field." Lou: "Yeah, yeah, I know, not the department store, but named after the great general and famous statesman." Bud: "Yes, again you're correct. George C. Marshall was Chief of Staff in World War II for Roosevelt, and later Truman's Secretary of State and Defense." "So, the Flames moved to Langley Field, which is in CIA territory. My plan is that if you became an agency agent as well as a baseball player, then the Flames would have to take you on the team." Lou: "Sure, I could retrieve baseballs hit over the fence into government property, especially when Laura is at bat." Bud: "Lou, that's not exactly what I had in mind for you. Traveling as a baseball player would be perfect cover for an agent. But, you'd have to be good in both assignments." Lou: "You know I can hit. I've modeled my swing after our hero Babe Ruth. And, I also know how to take a walk. A walk is as good as a hit and is also a run, especially when Laura is at bat." Bud: "Esther Williams taught you to field. You saw that catch she made in 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame.' She knows her stuff. And, you watched the Willie Mays catch on tape hundreds of times." "This will be like the TV show 'I Spy,' instead of tennis it'll be baseball." Lou: "Robert Culp and Bill Cosby were great in that series during the 1960's, or so I'm told; it was a little after my first lifetime." Bud: "You've got the ticket! We signed loyalty oaths in World War II, and we performed at USO shows, so we should still have security clearances." Lou: "What do you mean 'we?' I'm the one taking all the chances on becoming a spy and playing for the Flames." Bud: "Yes, that's right, but you'll still need to pass some tests for the Flames. Let me try a few questions." Lou: "OK, fire away, I'm always ready to answer baseball questions about the Flames. Think you could stump me?!" Bud: "Ready for your first question? I'll give you some game scenarios, and you tell me what happens next." Lou: "Scenarios? No singing! We're not at the opera." Bud: "I meant game situations or 'scenarios.' This is all 'hypothetical.' You know what that means." "Ready! First situation, bases are loaded and Mary #4 is at bat. So, what happens next?" Lou: "Triple! She always does that time and time again." Bud: "OK, that's a reasonable response. Next scenario, Rosie #13 is on first base and proceeds to steal second. Does she make it?" Lou: "Ohhh, Rosie is fast like the wind. She'd be half way to second with double tails flying before the catcher got the ball, and odds are she'd have a standup steal." Bud: "True, because Ballentine isn't catching anymore." Lou: "Well, with KB #14 behind homeplate, it might be a different story. But, Rosie never panics, and Ro-Ro never gives up on the mound or basepaths." Bud: "Next, Laura #8 is at bat in the lead-off position, and she gets a solid single. What would you call that?" Lou: "Homerun!!!" Bud: "Wait a minute, wait a minute, all she got this time was a grounder through the infield for a single, and is standing on first base next to Who." Lou: "It doesn't matter Who she is standing next to, that's what Laura gets with a single or walk, because in the next two or three pitches, she'll be straddling homeplate. Any hit in Laura's book is a homerun!" Bud: "Actually, you have another good point, especially when Laura is at bat. Let's test you on batting counts. Some of these may be tricky." Bud: "What is the old 1-3?" Lou: "A punch on the nose. Two I get!" Bud: "What is the reverse of that 3-1?" Lou: "Oil!" Bud: "Will you please be serious! This practice quiz is important. What happens if you miss these questions when JoAnn asks them for real? You'd be in a pickle, up the creek without a paddle, in yet another fine mess, stuck in a real predicament, up to your ears in trouble, and under the gunner's daughter. I kid you not!" "Let's start again. When the count is 3-0, what if the next pitch is another 'ball?'" Lou: "Homerun! Hey, Abbott, we've already covered that, especially when Laura's at bat." Bud: "Well, I see you're getting pretty sharp. I can't fool you this time of day." Lou: [aside] "Yeah, but wait until it's after midnight." Bud: "Regardless, we have to keep your CIA assignment a top secret. Nobody should know." Lou: "Well, someone on the Flames will have to be told. JoAnn will have to know!" Bud: "We'll have to keep this very quiet, totally on the 'QT,' off the record, between you and me and the lamppost, and strictly under one's hat." Lou: "Susquehanna hat, of course!" Bud: "Naturally, but what if word leaked out. Do you realize what would happen?" "Let's say at midnight you told two people, and by word of mouth in every ten minutes they told two more people. You have no idea what would occur." Lou: [aside] "No, I don't, but I have a funny feeling you're going to tell me, whether I like it or not." Bud: "Well, by 1:00 AM 127 people would know your secret, and by 2:00 AM it would amount to 24,575. That's small potatoes, because by 3:00 AM that would jump to 524,287, then skyrocket to 33,554,431, just because you couldn't keep your mouth shut at midnight." "Wait, that's not all, by 4:50 AM 1,073,741,823 people would be in the know, and by 5:00 AM your little secret should have covered the entire world. Every man, woman, and child on planet earth would know you're finally with the Flames playing at Langley and working for the CIA." Lou: "Wow, all that without the help of Robert Novak!" Bud: "Now, do you understand how important it is for you to remain silent about top secrets, especially if you're with the agency it would be expected." "Look, Lou the light has changed. Let's get your little scooter libby going, and have lunch at Tyson's." Lou: "OK, let's hit the road. I certainly don't want to become another Valerie P-l-a-m-e!" Bud: "Hey, she's not on the team!" Note: "Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion" was released in 1950, and featured the duo as French Legionnaires in Algeria. The film also starred Patricia Medina and Walter Slezak. Medina was a French spy in several movies, and married actor Joseph Cotton of Mercury Theater fame. The "word of mouth routine" and statistics were adapted from a "Ripley's Believe It or Not" skit entitled "Murder at Midnight" (undated 1930's). "Flying Duces," 1939, was an earlier Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy version of life in the French Foreign Legion with several classics routines; e.g., window alcove, Seine River, commandant's instructions, laundry pressing, tunnel escape, and this duo singing "Shine on Harvest Moon." "I Spy" was an innovative television series presented weekly on NBC from 1965-1968. It starred Robert Culp and Bill Cosby, and was billed as a "secret agent adventure." As tennis bums, they toured the world to play and spy, and engaged in numerous intrigues. Cosby won three Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in 1966, 1967, and 1968. This was a Desilu production written by David Friedkin and Morton Fine. The team also wrote radio scripts for "The Line-Up," the CBS reply to "Dragnet," and the stellar "Phillip Morris Playhouse," which aired from 1939 to 1953. Friedkin also did scripts for "Broadway is My Beat" and "Crime Classics." George C. Marshall (1880-1959) was Chief of Staff in World War II, and under President Truman he served as Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense. At State, he created the Marshall Plan for the recovery of Europe for which he received the Noble Peace Prize in 1953. Marshall Field is on Route 7 just inside the Beltway in Fairfax, Virginia. The Office of Strategic Services (OSS), predecessor of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), was formed in 1942 during World War II. OSS was disbanded in 1945 after the war's conclusion, however it was re-created as the CIA by the 1947 National Security Act with a mission to collect and analyze foreign intelligence. About 25,000 staff are employed at the Langley facility and surrounding sites. In summer 2003, Valerie Plame's position at the CIA was revealed in an article by columnist Robert Novak, who passed away in August 2009. In the subsequent case, Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Vice President's Chief of Staff, was convicted of perjury and obstruction, but later obtained a Presidential pardon. This is a series of newly recreated stories: "Abbott and Ciullo Join the Foreign Service," August 21, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo Crown Miss Cherrydale," August 15, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo in Going Gipper," July 31, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo in One-Two-Three," July 19, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo in Patience Please," July 3, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo in Jolson Sings Again," June 16, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo at Elysian Fields," May 24, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo in Say Hay," May 15, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo Seek Esther Williams," April 30, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo Visit the Batting Cages," April 9, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo at Spring Training," March 26, 2009; "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. In these recent stories, names were changed to Buddie Abbott and Louise Ciullo (derivation of 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. C. HISTORIC TIMELINE August 19, 1883 Gabrielle Coco Chanel birthdate, designer. August 19, 1921 Ty Cobb 3,000th hit. August 19, 1951 Eddie Gaedel first and only at bat. August 20, 1908 Al Lopez birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. August 20, 1945 Tommy Brown at 17 hits MLB homerun. August 21, 1982 Rollie Fingers pitches 300th save. August 22, 1956 Paul Molitor birthdate, MLB player. August 22, 1989 Nolan Ryan first to strikeout 5,000 batters. August 23, 1942 Patricia McBride birthdate, renown dancer. August 24, 1989 Pete Rose becomes ineligible to play baseball. August 25, 1927 Althea Gibson birthdate, Tennis Hall of Fame. August 25, 1985 Dwight Gooden at 20 youngest 20 game winner. August 25, 1996 Yankee Stadium monument for Mickey Mantle. August 26, 1939 First baseball on TV, Dodgers and Reds. August 27, 1982 Rickey Henderson 119th steal surpasses Lou Brock. August 28, 1943 Lou Piniella birthdate, MLB player. August 28, 1944 Carol Bartz birthdate, Autodesk owner. August 28, 1946 Mike Torrez birthdate, MLB manager. August 29, 1977 Lou Brock 893th steal surpasses Ty Cobb. August 30, 1890 Kiki Cuyler birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. August 30, 1935 Sylvia Earle birthdate, scuba designer. August 31, 1875 Eddie Plank birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. August 31, 1935 Frank Robinson birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. August 31, 1950 Gil Hodges hits 4 homeruns in one game. D. FAME FORUM ISSUES Volume XII, 2009 Season Publications Number 16, Abbott and Ciullo Join the Foreign Service, August 21. Number 15, Abbott and Ciullo Crown Miss Cherrydale, August 15. Number 14, Visions from Doctor Laura's Eyes, August 11. Number 13, Abbott and Ciullo in Going Gipper, July 31. Number 12, Abbott and Ciullo in One-Two-Three, July 19. Number 11, Abbott and Ciullo in Patience Please, July 3. Number 10, Abbott and Ciullo in Jolson Sings Again, June 16. Number 09, 2009 NWB Hall of Fame Induction Form, June 5. Number 08, Abbott and Ciullo at Elysian Fields, May 24. Number 07, Abbott and Ciullo in Say Hay, May 15. Number 06, Abbott and Ciullo Seek Esther Williams, April 30. 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. 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/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. _________________________________________________________ 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, TXU608273, TXU1Z5BTB, TXU2ACJSN, TXU34SIZX. Copyrights(c), NWB Hall of Fame, 1998-2009 __________________________________________________________