_________________________________________________________ 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 00368 _________________________________________________________ Volume X, Number 11 Publisher and Author March 28, 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: HIGH JINXES AND HIGH HOPES IN HAVANA MovieTone News en Habana de Cuba "Good afternoon to all you sports enthusiasts in theaters across the country and to our baseball fans in particular as Opening Day 1947 fast approaches." The familiar background theme music trumpeted excitingly for a few brief seconds, while in quick succession images of current leaders and recent events repeatedly flashed by in a mystifying collage upon the silver screen. "This is the voice of Ed Herlihy speaking," the previously unseen repartee continued, "on special assignment for an extended week in Havana, Cuba with your MovieTone News!" Those memorable opening words never failed to capture the imagination with its comforting resonance always ready to describe and project a dazzlingly array of impressions. "This week we are entertaining spring training with the 'Girls of Summer,' while last week we concluded a similar spectacle of hitting and running in the same Gran Estadio de La Habana by the Dodgers of Brooklyn fame." "Before we cover our 'Beisbol Femininos,' as the Cuban press fondly refers to them, there is breaking news regarding the aforementioned Brooklyn team." "In an unprecedented move this week, baseball commissioner A.B. Chandler suspended Leo Durocher, successful eight year manager of the Dodgers for the entire 1947 season!" "Chandler conducted an investigation and hearings in Florida on activities while the team was here in Havana. He found Durocher guilty of, 'conduct detrimental to baseball.'" "Returning to major league baseball headquarters in Ohio, Chandler elaborated further. Said the commissioner... 'Durocher has not measured up to the standards expected or required of managers of our baseball teams. This incident in Havana, which brought considerable unfavorable comment to baseball generally, was one of a series of publicity producing affairs in which manager Durocher was involved in the last few months.'" "During spring training in Havana with three exhibition games against the New York Yankees, Durocher and Dodgers president Branch Rickey complained that two known gamblers were permitted in Larry MacPhail's reserved stadium box. As Yankee president, MacPhail counter-charged, and claimed the attack was unfounded and detrimental to baseball, and the commissioner concurred." "Prior to Chandler's decision, Durocher proceeded further with a description of the Havana incident in his sports column which appeared in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. This was compounded by the fact that Durocher's featured column was actually written by Harold Parrott, team secretary, on the manager's behalf." "In response to the suspension, Durocher's initial remarks were, 'For what? For what?' Dodger president Rickey indicated that there would be no appeal. Chandler issued the final statement, 'All parties (with the Dodgers and Yankees) to this controversy are silenced from the time this order is issued.'" "Parrott was fined $500, the Dodgers team $2,000, and manager Durocher is out for the season." "Goodbye Leo, but not farewell!" Theme music was briefly heard and faded to additional commentary. "On a more positive note from Havana, 28 year old Georgian and UCLA star in baseball, football, and basketball, Jackie Robinson was acquired April 10 by the Brooklyn Dodgers. A star last year with AAA Montreal Royals, his contract was formally transferred to the Dodgers, the parent club." "During the war, Robinson served at Fort Riley, Kansas where he became close friends with none other than the world heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis, who is his sports mentor." "Robinson with Montreal participated in spring training in Havana providing an opportunity for him to demonstrate his baseball skills. His stellar performance impressed new teammates and Mr. Rickey who made the final decision once the Dodgers reported to Brooklyn and began preparations for Opening Day at Ebbets Field." "Rickey has high hopes for Robinson and his Dodgers this coming year even without the services of veteran manager Leo Durocher. The team will be temporarily skippered by Clyde Sukeforth." "Said National League president Ford Frick about Robinson's move, 'This is the United States of America, and one citizen has as much right to play as another.'" "The announcement regarding Robinson was made in the fifth inning of an exhibition game at Ebbets Field where the Royals proceeded to down the Dodgers 4-3. During the game, Mr. Rickey entered the press box and presented a succinct typed statement, 'The Brooklyn Dodgers today purchased the contract of Jackie Roosevelt Robinson from the Montreal Royals.'" "Welcome to the majors, Mr. Robinson!" Theme music was briefly heard and faded to additional commentary. "And, now for our heroines of the diamond, from the heartland of America nearly 200 players, managers, and coaches arrived this week in Havana for spring training. Since the AAGPBL 128 game season starts later in May, the Gran Estadio recently vacated by the Dodgers is all theirs for training and practicing." "The league, owned by Arthur Meyerhoff, was formed during the war by Philip K. Wrigley, and inaugurated in the 1943 season. Teams currently hail from Kenosha, Fort Wayne, Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Peoria, Racine, Rockford, and South Bend." "During the war, no professional team crossed the Landis Line for spring training. Those restrictions have victoriously vanished." "The favorite this year is the Racine Belles, twice champions in 1943 and 1946. The league's motto displays the camaraderie of players on every team, 'We're all for one, and we're one for all.'" "Crowds were much smaller for the world famous Dodgers, and this baseball-crazed national of only 4 million, produced attendance of more than 15,000 for the first practice game of the AAGPBL." "In Cuba, legendary regional baseball teams formed in the 1870's continue to play with intense rivalries represented by the Habana Leones (Reds), Almendares Scorpions (Blues), Cienfuegos Elefantes (Grays), and others. They boast colorful nicknames and uniforms with proud traditions, and the finest players." "Often more important than work or food, the hearts of the Cuban people, as always, are keenly devoted to sports, and the game in which their athletes excel, --Baseball!" "Spring 1947 is an exciting time too for our 'Beisebol Femininos' here to learn the game and enjoy themselves while visiting this hospitable and tranquil land. They also serve as peacetime goodwill ambassadors to freedom loving Cuban people who warmly extend their welcome to friendly neighbors of the north in Los Estados Unitos!" Theme music again briefly commenced, while words and images faded. Note: Also see the following issues of Fame Forum: "Beisbol Belles Broadcast (spring training 1947)," Volume X, Number 04, January 30, 2007; "Changes in Latitudes (spring training 1947)," Volume III, Number 14, March 18, 2000; and "Everyone's Right to Play (Robinson)," Volume II, Number 07, February 7, 1999. 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 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 11, High Jinxes and High Hopes in Havana, March 28. Number 10, Clifford's Gigantic Gamer (gloves), March 23. 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 __________________________________________________________