_________________________________________________________ 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, TXU34SIZX. Issue Number 00440 _________________________________________________________ Volume XII, Number 11 Publisher and Author July 3, 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 IN PATIENCE PLEASE In early morning at an undisclosed neighborhood cafe nestled within the established Cherrydale section of Arlington, VA, two revitalized comedic stars originating in the traditional vaudeville era, and subsequently transcending successfully to stage, radio, and screen; remain adamantly discussing events which transpired the previous weekend. The topic, of course, concerns Louise Ciullo's preoccupation with participation in one of baseball's most legendary teams, which has become her latest interest and near fixation. Her endeavor this time is to follow in the famous footsteps of her all-time favorite hero, the greatest player to ever tap the bat at homeplate and boldly point towards centerfield. In order to do so, it is her ardent desire to join the league leading unconquerable Virginia Flames, currently a seemingly unreachable goal yet to be consummated. Sharing breakfast in typical fashion, her long-time partner Buddie Abbott offers some observations and consolations. Bud: "You almost made the Flames last weekend. But, almost doesn't count in baseball." Lou: "Yeah, I was there, ready to play, if they needed me. I could have been a contender. I could have been somebody. I was depending upon you, but you let me down!" Bud: "Me?! Oh, now let's not drag me into any of this." Lou: "You gave me advice. You built up my expectations. You said I looked good enough to play for those Flames. And, what happened?" Bud: "Certainly, you 'looked' good enough for the Flames, but semblance is not substance. You have to perform, and most importantly behave properly." "Take Esther Williams for example, always a great athlete in a swimming pool or baseball park. In 'Ballgame...,' you saw how she instructed Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Jules Munshin; that's a tough trio in any league." "Do I hear you complaining Esther Williams let you down? I should say not. You would be ashamed of yourself." "And, you watched the great Willie Mays make 'The Catch' over and over again on video. There was no complaining about him, either. Not a peep!" "Besides, I don't make the rules. Each team only needs nine players for a game; that's exactly what the Flames fielded last weekend. Nine! You kept on counting them all during the game, '1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9.' I probably can thank Miss Whitehead for that feat. And, it always came out to be the same, nine of them and none for you!" "Naturally, if someone didn't show-up that afternoon, or if unfortunately there was an injury during the game, then you could have played. I have it on the best authority." Lou: "Watching isn't playing!!!" Bud: "Don't get all upset. You might just start singing! You were very close. Now would you please keep quiet about baseball, and eat your breakfast before it gets cold." Lou: "Sure, close but no cigar; it's the story of my life." Bud: "Close only counts in horseshoes." Lou: "Hey, we're not talking about horsies. They can play on any field, wet or dry, by changing shoes. I had cleats on ready to be a 'mudder,' but not a 'mother.'" Bud: "The Flames could be either, it all depends, but they don't play at Pimlico. Marshall is their home field." Lou: "Yeah, but last weekend the Flames played in suburban Baltimore, not in Pimlico but at Bachman." Duo: "Close but no cigar!" Bud: "They aren't playing this coming weekend, which should give you more time for more practice." Lou: "There you go teasing me, again." Bud: "Would I do that? I should say not! But, practice makes perfect, and that's what the Flames expect." Lou: "If there are no games this weekend, then let's go to the batting cages. I wanta clobber that ball!" Bud: "There you go again with precisely the wrong attitude. How many times have I told you, everything starts with what you think. If you try too hard, you'll never get a hit." "Tell me Lou, what's the objective of standing at homeplate?" Lou: "I wanta hit a homerun, of course." Bud: "Not exactly, it's to score runs, and the only way to do that is to get on base any way you can. Legitimately!" "Consider Laura, for example, as strange as this may seem, last weekend instead of her usual collection of triples and homeruns, she smacked a single. Did you hear her complain? Not on your life! What did she do next?" Lou: "On the next pitch, she stole second." Bud: "Piece of cake! Because it was Laura, there wasn't even a throw. Let me try to explain, Laura ran from Who to What and the catcher didn't do a thing." Lou: "Who got the ball?" Bud: "The throw wasn't to Who. We've gone over baseball player names more than 10,000 times before. The catcher Today simply tossed the ball back to the mound." Lou: "But, nobody is playing Today." Bud: "Of course not, those Flames are off this weekend. I'm telling you about plays that already occurred." Lou: "I wasn't watching everything last weekend, so where the ball went next I Don't Know." Bud: "Yes, exactly! Third base!" Lou: "What?" Bud: "That's second base; Laura was already there looking and smiling towards third. And, I Don't Know was in on what happened next. Come on, you were there, tell me." Lou: "Originally, you said you'd explain the game, and now you just said that you don't know. If you don't know, then certainly I Don't Know." Bud: "Naturally, correct, again." Lou: "Wait a minute, if Laura was on second, How could I be correct When I Don't Know what I'm talking about!" Bud: "Howe and When weren't even on the other team. I think Howe played hockey somewhere, you should know." "Here, I'll give you another hint. On the very next pitch, Laura ran towards third; now you tell me the rest." Lou: "How am I suppose to do that? I know, Howe is on the bench wearing ice skates. No cleats or horseshoes!" Bud: "You're getting very confused. Don't start singing! Promise, not a verse!" Lou: "Let me start again. Laura ran from away from What?" Bud: "Naturally, at top speed. You know she's very fast." Lou: "She passed I Don't Care, and raced by I Don't Know." Bud: "I think you're beginning to understand the infield." Lou: [gasping] "Today, when they are not playing, threw the ball to I Don't Know backed-up by I Don't Care; but it sailed into the outfield to Why and not Because." Bud: "Yes, it occurred just that way. I'm truly amazed, Lou that's entirely correct. Laura never missing a beat with her arms and legs flying like windmills, --scores!" "With a single, she accomplished all of that on the next two pitches with the result being one run for the Flames, which certainly was more exciting than a homerun." Lou: "Laura!" Bud: "Well, yes, of course, that helps; it's all a matter of getting on base. Once you understand the positions; everything starts with 'Who's on First.' A single can be the same as a homerun, even a walk is as good as a hit." Lou: "Wait a minute, wait a minute, how can a walk be as good as a hit?!" Bud: "If eventually there is a run as a result, it doesn't matter how a player got on base. There is plenty of skill in taking a walk. A batter has to know when not to swing, which often is more difficult than swinging. As you know, anyone can strike-out." "Perception and attitude are everything, like I said before, it all starts with what you think." "In fact, instead of going to the batting cages, you could practice on taking a walk. Just don't swing, the key is waiting out the pitcher and keeping a good eye on the ball. What is one of the Flames mighty motivating mottos?" Duo: "Patience, please!!!" Bud: "A high on-base percentage is equally important as a good batting average. The Flames play smarter and safer, and take no chances and are careful. This is all part of learning to play baseball." "Esther William's used that approach in managing her trio, and she is a smart lady!" Lou: "Wooo, wooo!" Bud: "I've been waiting to hear that remark. Why didn't you use it before regarding Laura's base running?" Lou: "Well, Dr. Laura is a smart lady, too, Astro-Physics; and so is Dr. JoAnn, an Ivy degree in Chemistry. However, Esther Williams was in the movies and an all-star swimmer." Bud: "There you go again, getting yourself into trouble. You had better reserve all that 'wooing' for someone like Mamie Van Doren. She was under contract at our studio." Lou: "We saw Mamie all the time at Universal. She was a centerfielder, too." Bud: "Wait a minute, don't you mean 'centerfolder.' Once she starred in a 1950's edition of Esquire." Lou: "She certainly wasn't wearing cleats! Wooo, wooo!" Bud: "She was also part of the publicity shot when they dedicated our streets inside the Universal lot in 1954. I've saved the picture." Lou: "Van Doren Street?" Bud: "No, it's not; and 'Van Dorn Street' without an 'e' is near Dr. JoAnn. And, I'll bet you didn't know Mamie's real name was 'Joan' without the extra 'n'." Lou: "Close but no cigar!" Bud: "Behave yourself! Mamie was at the intersection of Abbott and Costello Streets for its grand opening." Lou: "She really got around, and once dated Bo Belinsky." Bud: "Yes, that's correct. He had one exceptional game in a brief career, a no-hitter for the Angels with the Orioles on May 5, 1962. Cary Grant and Doris Day were in the dugout afterwards to offer congratulations." Lou: "Any pitcher, even with a no-hitter, could lose a game due to walks." Bud: "Now you're talking; that's exactly what I've been telling you. You're finally listening and learning." "You don't have to hit the ball in order to get on base and score, and be a valuable asset to any team." Lou: "OK, you've really convinced me! Let's get a bat, and I'll practice not swinging." Note: Abbott and Costello's classic routine, "Who's on First?" was first broadcast to a national radio audience March 24, 1938 on the Kate Smith Hour. The team initially received $350 per show for a 10-15 minute routine. The duo's first radio appearance was February 3, 1938, and they performed the "Mudder Fodder Routine," another insurance piece. There were only eight (8) named players featured in the famous baseball skit, which consisted of: Who on first, What on second, I Don't Know on third, Today as catcher, Tomorrow on the mound, I Don't Care at shortstop, and fielders Why and Because in left and center, respectively. They never named a right fielder. This is a series of several newly recreated stories: "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. Flames references are: Laura Brenneman, PhD, NWB Hall of Fame in 2005; and JoAnn Milliken, PhD, NWB Hall of Fame in 2000, and Triple Crown in 2006. In this new series, the team's names 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. C. HISTORIC TIMELINE July 1, 1857 Roger Connor, birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. July 1, 1859 First intercollegiate baseball game. July 1, 1861 John Clarkson, birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. July 1, 1908 Estee Lauder birthdate, business owner. July 1, 1910 Comiskey Park opens in Chicago. July 2, 1903 Ed Delahanty drowns in the Niagara River. July 3, 1966 Tony Cloninger, pitcher, hits two grand slam homeruns in one game. July 4, 1918 Ann Landers and Abigail Van Buren birthdates. July 4, 1930 George Steinbrenner birthdate, Yankees owner. July 4, 1939 Lou Gehrig Day at Yankee Stadium, speech, "Today I consider myself the luckiest..." July 4, 1984 Phil Niekro 3,000th strikeout. July 5, 1884 Jack Quinn birthdate, oldest MLB pitcher retired at 49, and oldest to hit a homerun. July 6, 1933 MLB first All-Star game in Comiskey Park. July 6, 1983 USPS issues Babe Ruth commemorative stamp. July 6, 1986 Bob Homer hits 4 homeruns in one game. July 7, 1906 Satchel Paige birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. July 7, 1909 Billy Herman birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. July 7, 1980 Michelle Kwan birthdate, Olympic skater. July 8, 1862 Hank O'Day birthdate, player and umpire, called first World Series, called Merkle out. July 8, 1930 Glen Gorbous birthdate, MLB player, world record 445'10" baseball throw. July 9, 1940 Joe Torre birthdate, MLB player and manager. July 10, 1868 Bobby Lowe birthdate, first player to hit 4 homeruns in one game. July 10, 1934 Carl Hubbell retires Ruth, Gehrig, Foxx, Simmons, and Cronin in succession. July 10, 1936 Chuck Klein hits 4 homeruns in one game. July 10, 1945 Virginia Wade birthdate, tennis champion. July 11, 1914 Babe Ruth starts first MLB game as Red Sox. July 11, 1985 Nolan Ryan 4,000th strikeout. July 12, 1901 Cy Young wins 300th game. July 13, 1889 Stan Covaleski birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. July 13, 1903 Ed Delahanty found beneath Niagara Falls. July 13, 1934 Babe Ruth hits 700th homerun. July 13, 1938 Sheila Widnall birthday, Air Force Secretary July 13, 1963 Early Wynn wins 300th game. July 14, 1967 Eddie Mathews hits 500th homerun. July 14, 1968 Hank Aaron hits 500th homerun. July 15, 1876 NL first no-hitter, George Washington Bradley. July 15, 1905 Shirley Povich birthdate, DC sports columnist. July 15, 1952 Walt Dropo 12 consecutive hits in one day. July 16, 1889 Shoeless Joe Jackson birthdate, MLB player. July 16, 1942 Margaret Smith Court birthdate, tennis champion. July 17, 1941 Joe DiMaggio completes 56 game hitting streak. July 17, 1974 Bob Gibson 3,000th strikeout. July 18, 1941 Martha Reeves birthdate, entertainer. July 18, 1970 Willie Mays 3,000th hit. July 18, 1940 Joe Torre birthdate, MLB manager. July 19, 1910 Cy Young wins 500th game. July 19, 1927 Ty Cobb 4,000th hit. July 20, 1858 First baseball admission 50c in Long Island. July 20, 1901 Heinie Manush birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. July 20, 1933 Nelson Doubleday birthdate, baseball publisher. D. FAME FORUM ISSUES Volume XII, 2009 Season Publications 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, TXU1OPSAH, TXU1Z5BTB, TXU2ACJSN, TXU34SIZX. Copyrights(c), NWB Hall of Fame, 1998-2009 __________________________________________________________