_________________________________________________________ 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, TXU276615, TXU288273, TXU311442, TXU186277. Issue Number 00366 _________________________________________________________ Volume X, Number 09 Publisher and Author March 15, 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: GREAT CAESAR'S GHOST In a far distant dream, thus did portend the most renown and respected Sybil Stephanae of Cumae. "What ask you of mourning, I will tell, knew once most noblest of Romans well." "Right arm of glorious Caesar thou art, found this day in darkest red departs." "Do not go forth but to the Forum stay, darest not you cross mighty Tiber way." "I can foretell, but you will not heed, these warnings for fates must proceed." "As augured in the ancient punic curse, before mending these conditions worse." "For lo, in two thousand years or near, how these words will then speak clear." Prologue In ancient Rome, upon this date annually was celebrated a major public holiday, and throughout the peninsula and in many provinces of the empire the population joyfully participated in this traditional mark of spring. In the capital from early morning, homes and shops were abandoned, and the people ventured across the Tiber River to the Field of Mars. There tents would be struck and citizens would proceed to become proudly drunk for it was the custom that each bowl of wine represent an additional year of life to come. Thus, it was safe to assume that by morning large quantities were already consumed. Although Senators and Tribunes had more serious matters to consider, they too departed the glorious city, and did not meet in the Forum's Senate House, as reported by the globe, but rather they convened that day in the magnificent Theater of Pompey, an imposing 340 foot long structure also situated on the Field of Mars. In anticipation, the Senate proclaimed the unaccustomed site was selected to be nearer the people to partake in the festivities, but truth remained much further from proximity to the populace, and more in that unfamiliar, unrestricted, and unguarded palace provided advantages for another sordid atrocity of the highest order well beyond consumption for longevity with the opposite of such mythical consequences. Although not unprecedented, that theater afforded an unsuspecting arena of demise for the one who presided. For here on this day a monarch was slain, a noble ruler of four years, some claimed too ambitious and contained, and about to embark on an unwanted campaign in Parthia, the biblical land of Mesopotamia. The bloodied remains unclaimed were abandoned except for one compelled by the fates and less by better judgement to cross the Tiber, and thus attend to his liege while nearby still lurked assassin daggers unsheathed. Personae Sybil - Oracle for nobility in ancient Rome and beyond. Caesar - Once ruler of the known world with many crowns. Marcus - Caesar's right arm and inheritor of the throne. Brutus - Conspirator unwittingly implicated in the plot. Plebeian - One vocal among the crowd to demand the will. Dialogue Marcus: "O, foulest of deeds, they have stolen a great player this morning, a leader remarkable on the Elysian Fields of sharp eye and quick wrists. Claim boldly as none could compare, that is for better sages and sabers to debate in future coveted halls." "What of the Sybil? In my dream, she commanded I remain, and knew I would not for he cannot be left to chance, but be placed upon the royal pyre with respect and dignity as righteously deserved for his rank and order." "But, the Sybil did proclaim, 'Do not go forth today.'" "I never stood upon ceremony. I shall not run and hide. Those conspirators by my might shall be fearful." "But, the signs are vexsome this morning, as I witnessed. A lioness whelped in the marketplace. A fool proclaimed the stable earth was not flat. A hole was opened in the phlogiston layer. A fiery rain poured acid from the sky. And, the heavens heated to boil waters in mountain lakes and melt the icy snow." "Must I remain? Cowards strike-out a thousand times, but the valiant never stray from the plate but in victory." "The royal and noble remains must be claimed. There are no excuses for I cannot instead be false. The Sybil's sight was complete, and I set straight to one desecrated and yet venerated." Marcus departed the center of Rome, crossed the Tiber to the Field of Mars, and soon encountered the conspirators and the site of their infamous deed. They hastily and unwisely explained why this subjugation was promulgated because of Caesar's ambition and for the sake of liberty. Soon thereafter, Marcus by himself beside those remains further considered their shallow words. "For his ambition, and this alone they thus abandoned him beheaded and frozen, for his claim to excel." "Pardon me, thou broken piece of earth, which no longer runs or hits along its grassy fields. Ruins of the most noblest of all who ever lifted a lathed ash. Woe to the hands and blades which have done you in such butchery." "But, go I must to address the crowd to bend their spirit in the manner of this grievous matter." Marcus exited the interior of the theater to address the crowd which gathered at the entrance sobered as a result of the day's momentous occasion. He waited on the steps until they quieted in anticipation of remarks, and held his hands high to further gain their attention. "My friends, my friends harken," he measured the crowd. "Friends, Romans, citizens, lend me your ears. I come to bury Caesar and not to praise him for they let me speak in that regard. He deserves more than current shrouded containers with head apart, body apart, and soul departed. The good which men do lives well beyond them through time in their stories, let it be true about our Caesar." "The noble Brutus told you he was ambitious and claimed too much, that was the grievous fault of our splendid one. Thus, grievously he answered for that, for Brutus it is said is honorable." "The noble Brutus said he never showed appreciation nor tipped his cap, and by him that was another grievous fault. Thus, grievously he answered for that, for Brutus it is said is honorable." "But, does that sound so wrongfully ambitious?" "And, the noble Brutus noted his reluctancy to press and public, and this truly reflects more of a grievous nature. Thus, grievously he answered for that, for Brutus it is said is honorable." "But, does that sound so wrongfully ambitious?" "And, did not noble Brutus recount a dream to hear others proclaim in the streets as our slain hero passed by he was the finest hitter, and this too was a most grievous fault. Thus, grievously he answered for that, for Brutus it is said is honorable." "Does that also sound so wrongfully ambitious?" "My friends, consider for a moment on the field of valor he was twice awarded the triple crown, which he accepted justifiably for his earned accomplishments." "On the field of valor, he twice received your votes as the most valuable within the league's legions, which he accepted humbly in appreciation of your respect." "On the field of valor, his achievement hitting one year has never been exceeded in six decades hence. Upon the last day, he did not need to partake in the games, but he did not hesitate to accept the challenge." "On battlefields, in two separate foreign wars he flew to your defense without question, and in one encounter his chariot destroyed by fire, but in it he did survive. Does this not portend favor by the gods themselves, and not by his choice?!" "And in honor, the highest award of the mid-summer games was named for him, and not by himself but his colleagues." "These are not untried ambitions, but rather most truthful proclamations of accomplishments. His dream of praise from your lips reflects love to hear your voices. Is this not unlike what you have already given to honor heroes paraded through the streets of Rome after victorious battle?" "Does charge of such ambitions rate the highest of treasons, thus his remains be neglected and forgotten? This must be since they all have said it, and Brutus is so honorable." "I must pause and cannot speak," Marcus cautiously remarked. "Grant me a moment that I may compose and regain myself." A few minutes passed allowing the crowd to consider his words. Plebeian: "Look, he again is ready to speak!" Marcus: "Only yesterday, a word or blow from this once mighty player could have stood in the world series. There he remains now broken and frozen in time with none to do him restitution." "If I were capable to stir your hearts and open your minds to correct this wrong of one so accomplished, who loved you well. How can I? As I am no prophet, nor the son of a prophet, and my words are plain." "But, I hold this parchment by his seal, his last will, and here are stated his own personal requests and desires, which I dare not reveal for I fear it may harm those most honorable who granted my presence before you." Plebeian: "We must see the will! Read the will!" Marcus: "Have patience good friends. I reflect on the cause." Plebeian: "The will, the will! Hear it we must!" Marcus: "O, how you compel me," carefully the previously broken seal was removed and he continued. "He bequests a museum for your benefit to observe and learn of the games and honor its heroes. He endows significant funds to medical care for the health of your children. He offers you a legend and records to discuss and recall for your entertainment and recreation in many ages to come." "For himself, his only remaining desire was a simple ceremony with cremation to be spread upon the sea with the ashes of his faithful canine, something all of you may yourselves envision." "We should acquiesce to his final desires and remove this body from its ghostly confines, and thus bring it to a holy place of purifying fire and befitting his rank and order. Go fetch him, prepare the ritual pyre, as good as for any citizen of Rome." "Ve, ve, ve, prepare the funeral fire. And, through your recall, this day and its sad finale may not be repeated in real or play in distant states unborn and dialects yet unknown." Note: Significantly modified from "Julius Caesar," 1599, by William Shakespeare; and the 1953 movie starring Marlon Brando as Antony and James Mason as Brutus. Also see a related article, "To Be or Not To Be," Fame Forum, Volume IX, Number 07, February 24, 2006. http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame/files/C-Feb06D.txt "Saving Ted Williams," paperback, 164 pages, 2005 http://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.asp?bookid=22773 Theodore "Ted" Williams, 83, August 30, 1918 to July 5, 2002 http://www.saveted.net B. NWB HALL OF FAME PRODUCTS These baseball items are available from the NWB Hall of Fame: new induction poster, commemorative buttons (2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, and 1999), personalized magnet locker nametags, t-shirts, caps, knife, 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 March 13, 1886 "Home Run" Baker birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. March 13, 1929 Helen Callaghan birthdate, baseball player. March 14, 1914 Harry Caray birthdate, MLB announcer. March 15, 1888 Fred Lieb birthdate, MLB sportswriter. March 15, 1912 Cy Young retires with 511 wins. March 16, 1876 Nelly Saunders and Rose Harland prizefight. March 16, 1906 Lloyd Waner birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. March 17, 1917 First women's bowling tournament. March 17, 1956 Mae Jemison birthdate, Endeavor astronaut. March 18, 1953 Boston Braves approve move to Milwaukee. March 18, 1927 George Plimpton birthdate, sports writer. March 19, 1871 Joe McGinnity birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. March 19, 1927 Richie Ashburn birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. March 19, 1998 Rupert Murdoch purchases LA Dodgers. March 20, 1973 Roberto Clemente induction MLB Hall of Fame. March 21, 1934 Babe Didrikson pitches inning in exhibition game for the Philadelphia Athletics. March 22, 1952 Bob Costas birthdate, broadcaster. March 22, 1979 Christen Powell birthdate, racecar driver. March 23, 1881 Gavvy Cravath birthdate, MLB player. March 24, 1893 George Sisler birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. March 24, 1945 Priscilla Presley birthdate, Elvis offspring. March 25, 1918 Howard Cosell birthdate, broadcaster. March 25, 1966 Tom Glavine birthdate, MLB pitcher. March 25, 1971 Sheryl Swoopes birthdate, baseball player. March 26, 1930 Sandra Day O'Connor birthdate, Supreme Court. March 27, 1879 Miller Huggins birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. March 27, 1899 Gloria Swanson birthdate, film actor. March 27, 1902 Chicago Cubs adopted their nickname. March 28, 1899 August Busch birthdate, MLB executive. March 28, 1973 Wilt Chamberlain retires from NBA with 1,045 games, 14 seasons, never fouled-out. March 28, 1989 Cathy McAllister and Stefni Whitten pitch back-to-back perfect games in softball for Southwestern Louisiana College. March 29, 1867 Cy Young birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. March 29, 1918 Pearl Bailey birthdate, singer and actor. March 29, 1944 Denny McLain birthdate, MLB pitcher. March 30, 1904 James Ripper Collins birthdate, MLB player. March 31, 1823 Mary Chestnut birthdate, Civil War author. March 31, 1998 Tampa Bay Devil Rays first MLB game. March 31, 1998 Arizona Diamonbacks first MLB game. D. FAME FORUM ISSUES Volume IX, 2007 Season Publications Number 09, Great Caesar's Ghost (Williams), March 15. Number 08, The Night They KO'ed Hemingway, March 9. Number 07, Rumble at Ritchie (boxing), February 27. Number 06, Million Dollar Mermaid (Belles), February 14. Number 05, Clifford's Pennsylvania Pilgrimage, February 1. Number 04, Beisbol Belles Broadcast (training), January 30. 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, TXU276615, TXU288273, TXU311442, TXU186277. Copyrights(c), NWB Hall of Fame, 1998-2007 __________________________________________________________