_________________________________________________________ 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 00400 _________________________________________________________ Volume XI, Number 06 Publisher and Author March 11, 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: REIGNING AT RINGSIDE IN RITCHIE "Let me tell ya Rich, when I was inside that ring back then," the former 1954 NCAA champ proudly proclaimed, "I thought the building was huge; it was like being in Madison Square Garden." He found a vacant locker, put his gym bag down, and recalled those glorious days in college at the University of Maryland. Garry Garber was a real contender in historic Ritchie Coliseum along US-1 in College Park on "America's Main Street." "Back then, kid," he looked up and smiled, "We had the place packed. The building shook. The noise was unbelievable!" Garber was the national 1954 NCAA Bantamweight Champion, and today in his 70's he daily attends gym for regular workouts of running the track one mile and one hundred sit-ups. He keeps in shape, as he says, "Just in case Rich, just in case." And, always, he has time to talk with friends. This Monday morning our locker room conversation concerned the Second Annual Maryland Collegiate Boxing Invitational held on Saturday night, March 8, 2008, of course, in Ritchie Coliseum. This classic building was more than up to the challenge and the contenders, a new breed of boxers at their best. And, we were more than ready for a great evening of excitement, exhaustion, and entertainment. Primary credit for bring boxing back to Maryland belongs to Luke Runion, a senior this year, and originally from southern Maryland. While at Penn State in 2003, he earned the National Collegiate Boxing Association heavyweight title, and retains third in the national ranking for his class. In 2004, Runion transferred to his home state of Maryland and discovered no boxing program at any level. Thus, he decided to inaugurate Club Boxing, and he certainly has the experience to do so, --ringside and campus-wide. Luke not only had to generate student interest, but also clearly demonstrate the value of boxing to the university administration. As in many endeavors, often such challenges enhance performance and appreciation of one's goals, and as a result produces more commitment and confidence. This year at Ritchie teams represented the following institutions: The Citadel, Frostburg State, North Carolina State, Penn State, Salisbury State, Shippensburg, US Naval Academy, University of West Virginia, Virginia Military Institute, and of course the University of Maryland. As expected, Ritchie Coliseum did not disappoint Saturday night. But, back in our locker room at Bally's the following Monday, Garry was getting ready for his daily workout. I kept the boxing chatter going, "Garry, Ritchie Coliseum was a state-of-the-art facility when it first opened back in 1932," as I continued to lace-up my gym shoes. "I know, I know," he concurred. "They keep it in great shape, like it was brand new." There certainly is an apt analogy between Garry and his coliseum, but I wasn't going to mention that, instead I cited some facts about his favorite place. "It cost $181,000 to construct your building, but that was in 1932 dollars," I offered. "The university President Harry Byrd promoted the project, an indoor sports arena to include boxing. Maryland Governor Ritchie also supported this idea of a first class facility for the university along US-1." "Byrd was a smart politician as well as an able administrator," I continued, "and knew in order to secure state funding for the entire project he had to encourage the Board of Regents to name the facility after the governor. They did and it worked!" "Well, I'm sure glad it did, Rich," Garry acknowledged, "and so were lots of other guys. Did ya see Benny up front on Saturday? We all had our pictures taken!" Garry was proud of that moment, and the entire evening. There were several former Maryland boxers from the 1950's at ringside. But, there wasn't any boxing at Maryland and most universities in the latter half of the century. Today nationally a strong collegiate remnant remains only within about thirty schools. Benny Alperstein, to whom Garry referred, was the NCAA Lightweight Champion in 1937, and NCAA Featherweight Champion in 1938. Today in his 90's, he too was at ringside Saturday night along with his charming wife Betty and several relatives. Subsequently, Benny served on the DC Boxing Commission and later with the Maryland Boxing Commission to which he still belongs as a honorary member. Maryland varsity boxing began in 1931 under coach William Whipp, who by 1933 created a top-ranked program. A new coach was on the scene in 1937, Harvey "Heinie" Miller, and at the helm he steered Terp boxers to many victories and titles. Alperstein won his first national crown at the boxing competition in Scramento that year. The 1950's also produced powerhouse boxing teams at Maryland with Garber and Vince Palumbo who in his class won national championships in 1954 and 1955. Many of these former Maryland champs and boxers were present last weekend at Ritchie. After the match, I sent an email to Bruce Alperstein in Europe, who recently was my next-door neighbor for three years. The entire family is proud of his "Uncle Benny" who is a genuine trail-blazer in a true Barry Levinson style story like "Avalon" or "Liberty Heights," except in this real-life version it features Alperstein Furniture in DC and not a television and appliance store in Baltimore. There is a lot to be proud of about these champions and contenders for boxing as a sport creates traditions, develops athletes, and builds character at any level to which those at Ritchie Coliseum are clearly a testimony. In 1932, the Los Angeles Coliseum was built for the Olympics, and Babe Didrikson (2001 NWB Hall of Fame) was a star attraction winning three medals (2 gold and 1 silver). In total, the US Team captured 16 gold medals that year. In 1932, Radio City Music Hall opened in Rockefeller Center designed to eventually entertain millions, and was the world's largest indoor theater at that time. And, in October 1932, Babe Ruth dramatically called his homerun shot at the World Series in Chicago. On "America's Main Street," in 1932 Ritchie Coliseum opened its doors to legions of aspiring college athletes, and today boxing traditions continue thanks to Luke Runion. Age appears to be unimportant for Benny, Garry, Vinny, and many others; as the youthful sparkle returns to their eyes when they are again ringside in Ritchie. Note: Also see the following issues of Fame Forum: "The Rumble at Ritchie" (First Invitational), Volume X, Number 07, February 27, 2007 "2001 NWB Hall of Fame Inductions" (Didrikson), Volume IV, Number 30, October 18, 2001 B. NWB HALL OF FAME PRODUCTS These baseball items are available from the NWB Hall of Fame: commemorative buttons (2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, and 1999), t-shirts, caps, and bats. Free commemorative ribbons are 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 10, 1860 Charlie Dryden birthdate, MLB sportswriter. March 10, 1993 Sherry Davis hired to announce Giants games. March 11, 1892 First basketball game in Springfield, MA. March 12, 1946 Liza Minelli birthdate, entertainer. March 12, 1962 Darryl Strawberry birthdate, MLB player. 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 XI, 2008 Season Publications Number 06, Reigning at Ringside in Ritchie (boxing), March 11. Number 05, Tales of Narda: Origin of the Magic Bat, February 28. Number 04, Clifford's Favorite Store (Ballentine), February 15. Number 03, Bases Loaded, Reel Two, (baseball movies) 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 __________________________________________________________