_________________________________________________________ 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, TXU288273, TXU311442. Issue Number 00354 _________________________________________________________ Volume IX, Number 33 Publisher and Author December 2, 2006 Richard C. Jaffeson Washington, DC HallFame@usa.com http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame _________________________________________________________ 2006 NWB HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS NELSON, DOMINGUEZ, TRIOLO 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 TED WILLIAMS WEBSITE http://www.saveted.net _________________________________________________________ A. COLUMN: CASE ADDENDUM OF JOANNA DOLLAR Introduced earlier this week was an expense account file of America's most foremost freelance insurance investigator "Yours Truly, JoAnna Dollar" on an assignment entitled the "Case of the Purloined Bat," originating from the famous 1941 baseball season. When a case is completed, Miss Dollar's modus operandi is to review the expense account, provide concluding remarks, and close the books on that investigation in readiness for the next action packed adventure. However, occasionally additional evidence is found, either accidently discovered or deliberately submitted, although it no longer has a bearing on the outcome. Those details are of interest to readers, and sometimes are included as an addendum to the original case file. Such was the situation this week after completion of the "Case of the Purloined Bat," conducted under contract with Joe McCarthy skipper of the venerable New York Yankees. The case concerned recovery of one model D29 Louisville Slugger used by the renown Yankee Clipper, Joe DiMaggio. A newspaper photograph (attachment) was recovered this week depicting DiMaggio's record breaking single which allowed him to surpass George Sisler's previous 41 game hitting streak. The photo was taken in game two of the double-header at Griffith Stadium on Sunday afternoon, June 29, 1941, during the season prior to entry of the United States into World War II. The photo displays DiMaggio's blast using a borrowed D29 bat obtained from teammate Tommy Henrick, which Joe loaned to him earlier on May 21. This replacement bat is visible in the photo, an extension of DiMaggio's arms pointing directly towards the outfield and a solid line drive into left. This was Joltin' Joe's fourth at bat in the seventh inning, and previous trips to the plate during that fateful second game had been hitless. Thus, for that day, this probably was DiMaggio's last chance to extend his streak, and exceed Sisler's mark which was held for nearly two decades. Joe DiMaggo did not disappoint his teammates, countless admirers around the country, or the Senator's hometown crowd at Griffith who were enthusiastically encouraging his record-breaking performance regardless of the game's final score and inevitable conclusion. The Yankee players, as can be seen in the photo, were on their feet standing at the edge of the visitor's dugout in anticipation. The on-deck batter waited his turn, and photographers were on the field flanking both sides of homeplate to capture the moment (a typical practice of the day, and fortunate because from that position on the first base side this photo was taken). The first pitch from the Senator's Red Anderson was high and inside (1-0 count). Only one more pitch was needed, a fastball down the middle, which took off like a rocket from the reunited substitute D29. Instantly, pinstripes were also propelled like a shot down the first baseline. "Safe! #42!" The entire nation soon knew the result and the answer to the invariable daily question asked everywhere during that eventful summer of 1941, "Did he get one today?" And, everyone knew who "He" was! In an interview after the double-header, DiMaggio happily admittedly, "Sure, I'm tickled. It's the most excitement I guess I've known since I came into the majors." A more restrained George Sisler commented for the press, "I'm glad a real hitter broke it. Keep it up!" Yeah, I guess that photo is important enough to be added to the case file. I looked for a scissor to clip it out of the newspaper, and the right size cardboard and some paste to kept it protected in the manila file folder. While preserving the picture, it became apparent somewhere in that huge crowd at Griffith Stadium, on that very day, in that photo, probably behind or near the visitor's dugout along the third base side was the original "purloined bat." As I studied the photo, I concluded those were the exact spectators I would have had to investigate, if that most unexpected case-busting telephone call from New Jersey had not been received in Bucky Harris' office on Tuesday, July 1, 1941. Perhaps, if that grainy newspaper photo could have been sufficiently enlarged from the negative, the stolen D29 might be spotted somewhere in the stands in the hands of the unknown culprit. For this was not a modest warclub, it measured 36" and weighed 36 ounces. This would be a most difficult object to be hidden and removed from the stadium. The following are additional comments for the case file. George Sisler (1893-1973) established the previous modern record of a 41 game hitting streak in 1922. He played in the majors for sixteen years until 1930, primarily with the Saint Louis Browns where he set his streak record in 1922, which DiMaggio surpassed at the end of June 1941. Sisler was an exceptional hitter with a .340 career batting average for 8,267 turns at homeplate, and was elected into the MLB Hall of Fame in 1939. His sons, Dick and Dave, were in the majors for several years. However, George Sisler was the superstar of his family having twice exceeded the .400 mark in 1920 with .407, and 1922 with .420. His best season was 1922 in which he received the league's MVP Award. Joe DiMaggio (1914-1999) received the MVP Award in 1941 based upon his stellar performance and 56 game hitting streak that started on May 15 and concluded July 17, 1941 (MVPs were also awarded in 1939 and 1947). During those 56 games he had 223 at bats, achieved 91 hits, and averaged .408. The Yankees prior to May 15 posted a mediocre 14 and 14 record and were in lowly fourth place. By season's end, they won 101 games, and finished the year 17 games ahead of the next contender. DiMaggio's bat averaged .357 in the summer of 1941. These remarks and photo are added to this week's file on the "Case of the Purloined Bat." Respectfully submitted by, Yours Truly, JoAnna Dollar Note: The June 29, 1941 photo is an attachment with this newsletter, or it also can be found on the NWB Hall of Fame website. http://eteamz.active.com/hallfame/albums/index.cfm?id=126805 Previous Fame Forum articles on Joe DiMaggio appearing in this publication include the following. "Top Hat and Cane," Volume I, Number 02, November 28, 1998. "Tribute to Joe DiMaggio," Volume II, Number 10, March 8, 1999. "Yankee Clipper Returns," Volume VII, Number 33, September 24, 2004 "Models D29 and 36D," Volume IX, Number 05, February 5, 2006 "Way to Go Joltin' Jo," Volume IX, Number 11, April 7, 2006 "Case of the Purloined Bat," Volume IX, Number 32, November 28, 2006. B. NWB HALL OF FAME PRODUCTS These baseball items are available from the NWB Hall of Fame: new induction poster, commemorative buttons (2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, and 1999), personalized magnet locker nametags, t-shirts, caps, knife, and ten model bats. Free commemorative ribbons are also available. The website main page has an order form, and the photo page displays several items. http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame C. HISTORIC TIMELINE November 29, 1876 Nellie Ross birthdate, directed US Mint. November 29, 1922 Minnie Minoso birthdate, MLB player. November 30, 1962 Bo Jackson birthdate, NFL and MLB player. November 30, 1991 First US women world soccer championship. December 1, 1911 Walter Alston birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. December 2, 1847 Deacon White birthdate, MLB catcher. December 3, 1965 Katarina Witt birthdate, Olympic medalist. December 4, 1861 Lillian Russell birthdate, theater actor. December 4, 1868 Jesse Burkett birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. December 5, 1894 Philip K. Wrigley birthdate, team owner. December 6, 1899 Jocko Conlan birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. December 6, 1900 Agnes Moorehead birthdate, actor. December 6, 1903 Tony Lazzeri birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. December 7, 1947 Johnny Bench birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. December 8, 1968 Mike Mussina birthdate, MLB pitcher. December 9, 1871 Joe Kelley birthdate, MLB outfielder. December 9, 1965 Passing of Branch Rickey, MLB manager. December 10, 1830 Emily Dickinson birthdate, poet. December 10, 1971 Nolan Ryan traded by Mets to Angels. December 11, 1854 Hoss Radbourne birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. December 11, 1926 Big Mama Thornton birthdate, blues singer. December 12, 1864 Phenomenal Smith birthdate, MLB pitcher. December 13, 1943 Ferguson Jenkins birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. December 14, 1897 Margaret Chase Smith birthdate, US Congress. December 15, 1900 Christy Mathewson traded to NY Giants. December 16, 1901 Margaret Mead birthdate, anthropologist. December 16, 1951 Mike Flanagan birthdate, MLB pitcher. December 16, 1964 Billy Ripken birthdate, MLB player. December 17, 1903 Wright brothers first flight. December 18, 1886 Ty Cobb birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. December 18, 1916 Betty Grable birthdate, film actor. December 18, 1930 Bill Skowron birthdate, MLB player. December 19, 1894 Ford Frick birthdate, MLB Commissioner. December 19, 1934 Al Kaline birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. December 20, 1881 Branch Rickey birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. December 20, 1888 Fred Merkle birthdate, MLB player. December 20, 1900 Gabby Harnett birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. December 21, 1912 Josh Gibson birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. December 21, 1954 Chris Evert birthdate, tennis champion. D. FAME FORUM ISSUES Volume IX, 2006 Season Publications Number 33, Case Addendum of JoAnna Dollar, December 2, 2006. Number 32, Case of the Purloined Bat (DiMaggio), November 28, 2006. Number 31, Clifford's Hometown Parade, November 21, 2006. Number 30, Eephus, Eiphus, Ophus (pitches), November 20, 2006. Number 29, Magnus Force --Make My Day!, November 5, 2006. Number 28, Better Babies and Baseball (SIDS), November 2, 2006. Number 27, Clifford's October Surprise, October 30, 2006. Number 26, Where in the World is Carmen Dominguez?, October 13, 2006. Number 25, More Information on NWB Hall of Famers, October 11, 2006. Number 24, 2006 NWB Hall of Fame Inductions, October 9, 2006. Number 23, 2006 Nominations for Induction, October 2, 2006. Number 22, Program Announcements, September 11. Number 21, LBI's Batting Third (Brenneman), August 22. Number 20, Saving Ted Williams, August 8. Number 19, Ted Williams Action Agenda, August 4. Number 18, Say it Ain't So Joe (treatment), July 6. Number 17, Spirit of 1776 (painting), July 2. Number 16, New NWB Products Available, June 26. Number 15, Meet Jane Doe (codes), June 22. Number 14, 2006 NWB Hall of Fame Induction Form, May 31. Number 13, Playing on Abraham's Side (Williams), May 25. Number 12, Clifford Finds the Easter Bunny, April 14. 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. 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, TXU288273, TXU311442. Copyrights(c), NWB Hall of Fame, 1998-2006 __________________________________________________________