_________________________________________________________ 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, 1998-2007 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 00360 _________________________________________________________ Volume X, Number 03 Publisher and Author January 18, 2007 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: LIBERTY HEIGHTS REVISITED Where I was growing up, in a tranquil suburban community adjacent to the extended residential section of the city, I initially thought that everyone was of the same faith. My kindergarten teacher was Miss Minyon, a most adorable redhead straight from Towson College. She was followed in rapid succession by Miss Ackerman and Miss Nichols. Next I even thought Mrs. McCutheon was also because her first name was Francis. All the other teachers called her Fran, so I figured anyone with that first name had to be the same. It was only later in my early childhood when I abruptly came to realize that almost no one else adhered to our particular persuasion, and more than 99% of the people were the "other kind," a quaint expression used by my grandmother in her dubious bubbeh-mysehs. Public school would be concluding this year, and college appeared to loom on a distant although imminent horizon. As for right now, the first week of September, I sat by my desk at home pondering the first assignment for the new academic year, a story which would be read in class on an event of my choosing derived from the past summer. As I look back now through those quick fleeting decades, it was a special summer, which today only may be observed in others, or perhaps remembered in words, but can never be seen again in one's lifetime. On that warm early autumn evening, I remained motionless staring at the blank page in front of me alone by myself, or so I thought. "Ben, whatcha working on?" my older brother Jan inquired as he walked into my room, typically without knocking. Everybody in class had either an older brother or sister exactly four years apart. It was as if our parents were told immediately after the marriage ceremony by someone, "OK, folks, you are allotted two children, nothing more, and they shall be four years apart." This proclamation seemed to be from the Bible or somewhere, and they all dutifully complied. In fact, everyone in our neighborhood followed the plan, as did my uncles and aunts across town. The edict went out far and wide. My mother had seven brothers (she was the only girl), and my father had five brothers and sisters. When they finally married, each family had two children apiece, and those nearly two dozen first cousins were four years apart. Someone once said at a family picnic, this was because there should be just one child in college at a time, and therefore our parents would not have to pay two tuitions simultaneously. Someone was thinking ahead! As part of that universal edict, it was clearly understood divorce was unthinkable. Marriage was for life, and those relationships of family would endure as unshakable as our loyalty to the nation and faith in the Almighty. "It's a standard essay on last summer," I replied and hid the blank sheet of paper from his prying eyes. "Yeah, I hated to do that," he recalled, "but at least you can write about whatever you want. What's the topic?" "I haven't decided," I was reluctant to discuss a project which had not yet begun. "Maybe I can help," he suggested, "and give you some hints." "OK, here are some themes," while speaking I wrote down a short list. "The first idea is the time Sheldon, Murray, and I wanted to swim at Gwynn Oak Lake. There is also the renovation of Memorial Stadium for the Orioles. Another possibility is a concert at the Royale Theater." "Maybe, one of those could work," Jan calmly acknowledged. "What happened at the lake?" "Well, it was what did NOT happen," I excitedly exclaimed. "We couldn't go swimming, that's what!" I paused to explain further, "You know they have a chain link fence about six feet high around the entire place for security and safety; no one can get hurt wandering inside." "Yeah, I've seen it," Jan concurred. "It never stopped me, but I was usually there at night." "One day last summer, they put up new signs on that fence," I elaborated. "We were not allowed." "So what, it's restricted," he was relatively unimpressed. "What else is new?" "Yeah, it's both restricted an unintegrated," I explained. "That's not a word," he corrected me. "What do you mean?" "It's either integrated or not integrated, it can't be both," he indicated, "and 'unintegrated' is not a word." "Yeah, well," unflinchingly I continued, "the sign also said 'No Dogs Allowed,' along with the rest of us." "So? Dogs can't read," he quickly countered. "And, I'm sure it doesn't matter to them." "Lassie and Rin Tin Tin can read," I pleaded. "They'd know!" "Dogs can't read," he repeated. "Dogs in the movies do what their trainers tell them, and they wouldn't go swimming at Gwynn Oak Lake. They live with their trainers in Hollywood, and have their own pools. And, I don't think they'd get wet without a half-dozen groomers nearby." "Are the signs gone?" Jan inquired. "Yes, pulled off in August," I noted. "It's best to drop the topic," Jan advised. "The class might not understand, especially without a sign to show them, which shouldn't be brought to school. There was landmark decision last May, and schools should be integrated and unrestricted. What's the next topic?" "Memorial Stadium!" I proceeded with the next potential theme. "Since we have a new team, the stadium was entirely renovated. Sheldon, Murray, and I went over there several times to watch the construction." "This might be a good topic, and certainly less controversial," Jan smiled and included some additional baseball information, "but the team's not new." "Bill Veeck sold his Saint Louis Browns last October 29, and we again have a team in the American League. Notice I said 'again.' The Orioles were a charter member of the league in 1901, but in 1903 the team went to New York as the Highlanders which became the Yankees. We've kept the name Orioles for our International League team, and in 1914 that was the first ball club Babe Ruth joined. Ruth was hired by Jack Dunn, who sold him to the Boston Red Sox that year. Now that's a real story, beautiful Baltimore back in 1914 with Ruth and Dunn, but your idea is fine. What did you and your friends see?" I took notes on Jan's remarks and replied, "They removed the front from original stadium, which looked liked the Coliseum in Los Angeles. The field was shortened, and there were long pillars driven around the grandstands, except the north end, which is open. They started constructing an upper deck over the existing stands out to the foul pole lines, and added a new front. Capacity jumped from 30,000 to more than 50,000." "Yeah, I've seen the photos in the Sun, but it didn't seem to help the team," Jan noted. "They're still the Browns, and I'll bet they lose 100 games this season. The only decent pitcher is Don Larson, and the Yankees want him. They're just Browns in different uniforms. Right?" "Yeah, you're right. You know what I'll wear for Halloween?" "What, what?!" Jan blinked. "Why are you changing the topic?" "You said the team is the Browns, but in different uniforms," the explanation began. "They're only in a disguise. Get it, --uniforms, disguise, costumes, and Halloween. I was thinking about Halloween, it's next month, and I already went downtown to Sunny Surplus for high black boots and baggy brown pants." "I'm afraid to ask..." Jan coughed. "Sunny had a supply of surplus military boots with high tops." "OK, who? Eisenhower never wore boots. Patton? MacArthur?" "Not hardly, I have the costume almost ready as, 'da Fuhrer.'" "Whoa! Ben, that's going a bit too far!" Jan shook his head. "They'll never let you out of the house looking like him." "But, that's just the point, it's Halloween. The war's been over almost forever. And, Sid Caesar did it on TV!" "Forget it kid! Why not dress as the Prince of Wales and go prancing around Balmoral Castle? Back to your summer stories," Jan directed. "You mentioned something about a concert?" "Yeah, James Brown was in town." "We already covered the stadium," he laughed. "When Jim Brown and Paul Brown are in town the Colts lose." "No, no, I said James Brown. He was at the Royale Theater on Pennsylvania Avenue for only one night. He's a great singer! Fantastic entertainer with tremendous energy. I've never seen anything like him." "I thought they tore that old theater down." Jan reconsidered. "The only Royale I know is in Frederick." "Brown was there with his new band, the Famous Flames, and he began with, 'Please, Please, Please,' which he wants to record, that is when he finds the right company." "Well, nobody has heard of this singer," Jan cautiously advised. "Ben, follow the Orioles story, with the renovated stadium the team's got a brand new bag!" Note: Significantly modified from, "Liberty Heights," 1999, a movie representing 1954-55 in suburban Forest Heights, Baltimore, MD. Memorial Stadium served several teams including the Colts and Orioles (American and International Leagues). Stadiums on the site also often held the Army-Navy football classics. Modernized in 1949-50 and 1953-54, it served as the home of the Orioles until October 1991. Eventually, it was demolished in April 2001, and the Memorial Wall was removed in February 2002. The Orioles' (former Browns) inaugural year in Memorial Stadium was the 1954 season. Although the O's won the first game in their new home on April 15, 1954 before 46,354, their record was 54-100 that year. During November and December, the Orioles and Yankees instituted a 17 player trade, and the Orioles manager (former Browns) was replaced by Paul Richards in mid-September. "Please, Please, Please," was the first major hit by James Brown recorded in 1956 with his Famous Flames band formed in 1952. The song was presented in the 1999 movie. From 1956 to 1988, Brown had more than 50 top ten hits on the national charts. James Brown, from May 3, 1933, Barnwell, SC, to December 25, 2006, Atlanta, GA. The Supreme Court case Brown versus Board of Education of Topeka, KS decided May 17, 1954, established the principle of integration in public schools and colleges. It replaced the doctrine of "separate but equal," promulgated by Plessy versus Fergusson in 1896. Also in 1954, Martin Luther King, Jr. accepted the position as Pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, Montgomery, AL. The renown "I Have A Dream Speech," was August 28, 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial. King received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Martin Luther King, Jr. from January 15, 1929, Atlanta, GA, to April 4, 1968, Memphis, TN. 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 January 14, 1942 Carol Bellamy birthdate, Peace Corp director. January 15, 1917 Johnny Rucker birthdate, MLB player. January 15, 1929 Martin Luther King, Jr. birthdate. January 16, 1870 Jimmy Collins birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. January 16, 1911 Dizzy Dean birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. January 17, 1931 James Earl Jones birthdate, actor. January 18, 1896 Bill McGowan birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. January 18, 1955 Kevin Costner birthdate, actor. January 19, 1966 Stef Edberg birthdate, tennis star. January 20, 1887 Bill James birthdate, MLB player. January 20, 1934 Camilo Pascual birthdate, MLB player. January 21, 1957 Geena Davis birthdate, actor. January 22, 1857 NABP adopted 9 inning game rule. January 23, 1918 Gertrude Elion birthdate, Nobel Prize medicine. January 23, 1962 Jackie Robinson elected to MLB Hall of Fame. January 24, 1955 Required 20 second rule for pitchers. January 24, 1968 Mary Lou Retton birthdate, Olympics gymnast. January 25, 1918 Ernie Harwell birthdate, broadcaster. January 26, 1935 Bob Uecker birthdate, baseball announcer. January 27, 1899 Bibb Falk birthdate, MLB player. January 28, 1847 George Wright birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. January 28, 1958 Roy Campanella automobile accident. January 29, 1878 Barney Oldfield birthdate, racecar driver. (source for one Walter Johnson nickname) January 29, 1945 Tom Selleck birthdate, baseball actor. January 30, 1912 Barbara Tuchman birthdate, Pulitzer Prize. January 31, 1919 Jackie Robinson birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. January 31, 1931 Ernie Banks birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. January 31, 1947 Nolan Ryan birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. D. FAME FORUM ISSUES Volume IX, 2007 Season Publications Number 03, Liberty Heights Revisited, January 18. Number 02, In Remembrance of President Jerry Ford, January 3. Number 01, That Was the Year That Was, January 1. 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, TXU180346, TXU288273, TXU311442. Copyrights(c), NWB Hall of Fame, 1998-2007 __________________________________________________________