_________________________________________________________ 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, 1998-2008 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. Issue Number 00397 _________________________________________________________ Volume XI, Number 03 Publisher and Author February 12, 2008 Richard C. Jaffeson Washington, DC HallFame@usa.com http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame _________________________________________________________ 2007 NWB HALL OF FAME INDUCTION KRIS "LEFTY" RANISZEWSKI 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 TED WILLIAMS WEBSITE http://www.saveted.net _________________________________________________________ A. COLUMN: BASES LOADED, REEL TWO One white glove firmly grasped an ornate door handle to the side entrance of a once stately mansion built during the 1930's overlooking the palisades situated along the Virginia side of the Potomac. A narrow brick pathway by the escarpment connected the residence to a neglected multiple-car garage from which a faithful and dutiful servant with several decades of unflinching service was returning on a cold February evening. The door opened, and the mistress of the house urgently and nervously inquired, "Max, is that you? Is it done?" "Naturally, madame," Maxine's laconic voice proclaimed. "No need to even open the garage. All is as it should be and just as before. Madame need not be concerned." Two white gloves brushed across each other symbolically indicating the deed had been accomplished. "Where will they find the body? Not on my property?" she cautiously questioned her servant. "I assure madame all is taken care of," was the reply. "The remains went over the escarpment on its own accord, as if made to order. They may not find it, our 'visitor,' until next spring, if at all. Surges through the gorge are notoriously thorough." "True Max, however, I noticed the other day the river is much lower this winter," she absently added. "There simply has not been enough rain, and few storm warnings." "Not to worry, madame," Max calmly informed her mistress. "I always will take necessary precautions to protect you, as I have done for many years." "In the morning, even if the body is found," Max continued, "there is no connection between it down there and this house, nor were there any witnesses." "But, Max what about the car?" "Madame, I have already rolled it down the driveway nearer to Chain Bridge Road. There are often abandoned vehicles, and apparently this one had a flat tire. Regrettably, the owner encountered a 'run of bad luck' along Kings Row and additional misfortune, about which we know nothing." "No fingerprints," Max added as an aside and raised both her hands inspecting them in momentary detachment as if to disavow responsibility. "Such accidents will happen." "But, Max they will investigate, and certainly stop here to ensure law and order." "Madame, may I suggest you remain upstairs for the next day or two while murder is in the air. In the meantime, I will place white sheets over the furniture downstairs, and if anyone attempts to inquire within I will indicate the house has been closed for the winter. I am only the caretaker. The proprietor is unavailable, has not been here for months, and she remains in Florida until after spring training." "Yes, spring training, of course, that is where I would be this time of year. Practicing near Miami at Opalocka, or perhaps in El Gran Estadio de Habana; it was long ago. But, they will know who I am!" "Madame, it is true everyone knows," Max reassured her. "Gloria Diamond remains the greatest player ever in all the leagues!" "Yes, they never forget the best," she smiled. "Games may diminish in stature, but the stars will continue to shine forever in the record books, on the trophy shelves, at the silver screens, and in the hearts and minds of countless adoring fans out there." Her eyes sparkled and languished about the living room filled with past momentos and remembrances of a brilliant baseball career with the Kokomo Collies during the 1940's. Those games were filled with glorious gaiety, and there were no dark victories. "But, Max, I am still worried. I am certain they will be here, if not with questions, then to see me, again." "Madame, they will never get past me, a most formidable obstacle and impenetrable barrier. And, you must remain composed and upstairs." "How can I?" she conjectured. "There will be reporters, cameras, and newsreels! They all will want to see me! It is a great feeling." "They must not, madame. Not this time!" Max insisted. "You must be shielded from the police investigators, in particular, and your adoring public, at least upon this occasion. Madame, must understand." "Yes, I believe you are correct, Max. Always faithful and thoughtful with advice," she concluded. "Then, we must do something entertaining to help me forget about this lamentable tragedy and desperate journey to occupy myself until this regrettable situation passes." "Madame, may I suggest," Max offered as they proceeded slowly up a long winding staircase to the second floor, "you could perform your Mack Sennett impersonation of Babe Ruth. Perhaps, Chaplin's skit where Jackie Coogan and he attempt to sneak into a ballpark." "Normally, I would enjoy recreating in costume those unknown comedy numbers, but now I am too disconcerted and indisposed. Tonight, it is I who wishes to be amused and cheered." "Perhaps, movies, madame?" Max suggested. "There are several you have not seen recently which I may project on the large screen in the upstairs parlor." "Marvelous, a wonderful grand idea," she delightfully concurred. "I shall be lost in other intrigues, and forget my own. Max, you know how much I adore baseball movies, when they are on the screen love is in the air. What do you propose?" Max retrieved a small writing pad, and began listing titles and subsequently noting her mistress's remarks. "You always seemed to enjoy 'Hit and Run,'" Max began, "from Paramount in 1924, originally in six reels." "Yes, Hoot Gibson was phenomenal," Gloria recalled. "I idolized his silent performances. But, the theme is much too common, a baseball hero and sweetheart are kidnapped by evil gamblers who plan to fix the World Series. This was a standard boy meets girl on the diamond. Without Hoot in the lineup, the team would predictably lose. An original Plot 27-A, and others made it glossy and slick over and over again. I need something more inspiring and uplifting." "Perhaps, madame would favor," Max slightly smiled, "'Take Me Out to the Ball Game?'" "Which one Max? The 1910 version with Bronco Billy or 1949 featuring Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and 'what's her name?' She stole my Sennett pool-side moves. I can never forgive such brash indiscretion. She was no million dollar baby. I do not want to be further upset. What else?" "Madame enjoyed 'Slide Nellie Slide' from 1936, but the plot was not developed, it is too short, and it featured only two women's softball teams. There was not enough talent to swing your lady." "Yes, any real game would take three times as long. However, I liked the base stealing scene, it gave me the idea for my nickname. Continue!" Max omitted mentioning the next film on the list from 1937 entitled "Girls Can Play" starring Rita Hayworth. This was another softball movie in which the team's star uncovers the murder of a teammate where nine lives were not enough. Max considered that on this evening such a topic should be avoided with investigations and girls on probation, but believed the next suggestion would be a home run in any league or living room. "Madame, you have not seen Joe E. Brown in 'Alibi Ike' in a long while. You always enjoyed a Ring Lardner story and Brown's rendition from 1935. There is the bonus of Olivia de Havilland as co-star, although she always had a hasty heart." Gloria nodded for Max to place that on the list, and signaled for her to proceed. Max prepared more notes and suggested, "We may follow that with 'Pride of the Yankees' from 1942, a moving Paul Gallico tale admirably played by Gary Cooper. Many of your contemporaries had cameos as themselves, Babe Ruth, Bill Dickey, Bob Meusel, and Mark Koenig." "Indeed," Gloria agreed, "I would like to see that old gang, again. I cried when Lou Gehrig passed on June 2, 1941. Some dates are never forgotten, but I recall it was also a good year for Williams and DiMaggio. What else, Max?" "There should be no question about 'The Winning Team' from 1952, and 'Damn Yankees' filmed here in 1958." "Oh, yes," Gloria became excited. "I do want to see Ronnie again in his youth when he was going places." "And, the songs from 'Damn Yankees' are delightful," she continued. "What could be better than Gwen Verdon and Tab Hunter?! Many scenes were filmed downtown on Georgia Avenue. I want to see Griffith Stadium!" "Gwen as Lola," she envisioned the movie, "it brings back memories with her dance of seduction inside the Senator's locker room. She was naughty but nice in a baseball version of my own masterpiece 'Salome.'" "Yes, madame," Max contributed, "but Paramount did not produced it in 1950. Three years later Columbia released their own copy." "Mine was better! More refined! I adhered to the original Oscar Wilde and Richard Strauss versions performed in Dresden and Berlin in 1905. And, later presented at opera houses in America and Britain, once the ban was removed. Columbia's 1953 'Salome' used that tramp Rita Hayworth, a petty street dancer compared to me. She was a mere tugboat annie, but I was the love goddess, not she!" "Wie schon ist die Prinzessin Salome heute nacht." Max offered an operatic refrain to change subjects. "Thank-you Max," Gloria replied. "How thoughtful, you remembered the opening line of my 'Salome.'" "Madame," Max smiled with approval, "I translated and performed all of the Strauss version for you. In addition, you enjoyed my rendition of 'Aida,' of course, omitting the second act." "Yes, your accent was perfection," she reflected. "Let me hear how well you do with this..." Madame: "I am Salome, the daughter of Herodias and Herod, and Princess of Judea." Maxine: "Ich bin Salome, die tochter der Herodias und Herod, und Prinzessin von Judaa." "Marvelous Max!" Gloria was silently applauding in childish delight. "This takes me back fifty years, when I first wrote those words. Here is more..." Madame: "See the moon has risen, she looks strangely eerie. She is like a woman who rises from her grave." Maxine: "Sieh die mondscheibe, wie sie seltsam aussieht. Wie eine frau, die aufsteigt aus dem grab." Madame: "She is strangely lovely, like some diminutive princess whose feet are little snow white doves. She might be dancing up there." Maxine: "Sie ist sehr selsam wie eine kleine Prinzessin deren fusse weisse tauben sind. Man konnte meinen, sie tanzt." "How wonderful Max, you have not lost your touch," Gloria was thrilled. "And, when John the Baptist entered," she excitedly continued, "he would not look upon me, even while I performed the Dance of the Seven Veils." Max offered an explanation, "He was portrayed as a holy man in company with Jesus. He was not suppose to stare at you, madame." Her eyes glistened, "I wanted him to see me in all my glory, but he would not even look. I wanted to kiss his mouth deeply, but he would not even speak. I wanted to press his head next to my breasts, but he would not even touch." Quietly to herself Max reflected, "Salome was the epitome of temptation found throughout the ages. She restated the words of the holy man, 'Tochter Sodoms, komm mir nicht nahe! Vielmehr bedecke dein geischt mit einem schleier, streue asche auf deinen kopf, mach dich auf in die wuste und suche des Menschen Sohn!'" "But, madame," Max spoke-up, "you danced as Herod requested. 'Willst du fur mich tanzen, Salome?'" "Yes," Gloria concurred. "They brought ointments, I removed my sandals, and then one veil at a time. Herod stood in bewilderment and enchantment." Maxine: "Ah, herrlich, wundervoll, wundervoll, wundervoll." "Perfect, Max, perfect," she excitedly proclaimed lost in her visual recreation of the scene. "And, afterwards, Herod gave me whatever I wanted." Maxine: "Ich will dir alles geben was dein herz begehrt. Was willst du haben? Sprich?" "Yes, I did speak, and I as Salome asked for the head of John the Baptist upon a silver platter." Maxine: "Ich mochte dass sie mir gleich in einer silberschussel, den kopf des Jochanaan." "I had what I desired in the finale," Gloria continued, "at last I kissed him on the mouth." Max silently added with slight distain, "Ah! Ich habe deinen mund gekusst Jochanaan." "Oh, Max, wonderful, this is better than a movie, and it is my own work, my own play, my own life. I have not had so much fun since the night Huey Long died!" "Madame, it is nearly midnight, the movies selected may entertain until dawn, unless you wish to retire." "No Max, let us continue with the films. Start first with 'The Winning Team,' I insist." "I always enjoy watching Ronnie," she continued while Max made preparations. "Wonderful man, alive or dead. The funeral, a grand event, only matched by Valentino. Hmmm, perhaps, it exceeded that of The Sheik." "Only Hollywood could do it justice," she fantasized, "the body of a famous film star and former President flying into Andrews, lying in state at the Rotunda, and covering the ceremony at the National Cathedral." "At the Capitol, Max you recall, long lines stretched along the west front even at 3:00 AM, back and forth, back and forth all the way to the Smithsonian." "On Wednesday, we saw him pass Massachusetts Avenue at 34th Street. There were two hearses, the first with the flag draped coffin and another as backup. President Bush turned north on 34th Street to the rear entrance of the Cathedral. He should have been here for opening remarks on that Monday afternoon in the Rotunda instead of Atlanta for the G-8 meeting. Air Force One flies whenever he wants." "The film is ready, madame," Max politely announced. The lights dimmed and images and words emerged from fifty years ago, fresh and lively, never forgotten remembrances, as if they were still alive today. "Whoa, big fella!" a wagon driver shouted first to his fast running stead, and then called to a lineman descending a telephone pole after completing Saturday morning's work. "Alex, Central City needs ya to pitch this afternoon. They gotta a game at two o'clock with a barnstorming team of real professionals." The driver caught his breath while telephone company workmen gathered around the wagon. "We really need ya Alex. Pay ya a dollar and a half for the game. It's a real team from Galesburg in the Triple I League. They got uniforms and everything..." [Scene fadeout with ballpark music and continuance of the film portrayal of Grover Cleveland Alexander.] Note: This is an extension of the article, "Bases Loaded Remake," Fame Forum, Volume XI, Number 02, February 2, 2008; which was based upon the 1950 movie "Sunset Boulevard" directed and co-written by Billy Wilder; starring William Holden, Gloria Swanson (Norma Desmond), Eric von Stroheim (Max von Mayerling), and Cecil B. DeMille. "Bases Loaded Remake" (website link) Fame Forum, Volume XI, Number 02, February 2, 2008. http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame/files/C-Feb08A.txt Dialogue for "Salome" was from the musical drama in one act by Richard Strauss as performed in Dresden, December 9, 1905. "The Winning Team," 1952 was one of Ronald Reagan's favorite films and last production with Warner Brothers. Doris Day co-starred as Aimee Alexander. Mrs. Alexander served as a film consultant and greatly contributed to its authenticity. Reagan starred in more than fifty full-length films of which most were with Warner Brothers. Eighteen titles were imbedded into the storyline above, and include the following. "Love Is On the Air," 1937; "Swing Your Lady," 1938; "Accidents Will Happen," 1938; "Boy Meets Girl," 1938; "Girls on Probation," 1938; "Going Places," 1939; "Dark Victory," 1939; "Naughty But Nice," 1939; "Murder In the Air," 1940; "Tugboat Annie Sails Again," 1940; "Million Dollar Baby," 1941; "Nine Lives Are Not Enough," 1941; "Kings Row," 1942; "Desperate Journey," 1942; "It's a Great Feeling," 1949; "The Hasty Heart," 1950; "Storm Warnings," 1951; and "Law and Order," (Universal) 1953. B. NWB HALL OF FAME PRODUCTS These baseball items are available from the NWB Hall of Fame: commemorative buttons (2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, and 1999), t-shirts, caps, and 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 February 10, 1884 Billy Evans birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. February 10, 1894 Herb Pennock birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. February 10, 1898 Judith Anderson birthdate, Emmy award. February 11, 1941 Sammy Ellis birthdate, MLB player. February 12, 1917 Dominic DiMaggio birthdate, MLB player. February 12, 1926 Joe Garagiola birthdate, sports broadcaster. February 13, 1918 Patti Berg birthdate, championship golfer. February 13, 1944 Sal Bando birthdate, MLB executive. February 14, 1913 Mel Allen birthdate, sports broadcaster. February 15, 1820 Susan B. Anthony birthdate. February 15, 1948 Ron Cey birthdate, MLB player. February 16, 1866 Billy Hamilton birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. February 17, 1908 Red Barber birthdate, sports broadcaster. February 18, 1975 Ila Borders birthdate, professional pitcher. February 19, 1941 Mama Cass Elliot birthdate, folk singer. February 20, 1913 Tommy Henrich birthdate, MLB player. February 21, 1903 Tom Yawkey birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame, Red Sox owner from 1933 to 1976. February 22, 1874 Bill Klem birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. February 22, 1918 Charlie Finley birthdate, MLB executive. February 22, 1934 Sparky Anderson birthdate, MLB manager. February 22, 1975 Drew Barrymore birthdate, actor. February 23, 1929 Elston Howard birthdate, MLB player. February 23, 1960 Demolition begins at Ebbets Field. February 24, 1874 Honus Wagner birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. February 25, 1922 Rose Bascom birthdate, Cowgirl Hall of Fame. February 25, 1924 Marie Boyd, 156 points at Lonacoming, MD. February 26, 1887 Grover Cleveland Alexander birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. D. FAME FORUM ISSUES Volume XI, 2008 Season Publications Number 03, Bases Loaded, Reel Two, February 12. Number 02, Bases Loaded Remake (Sunset Boulevard), February 2. 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 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, TXU276615, TXU288273, TXU311442, TXU348663, TXU346055. Copyrights(c), NWB Hall of Fame, 1998-2008 __________________________________________________________