_________________________________________________________ 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 00401 _________________________________________________________ Volume XI, Number 07 Publisher and Author March 14, 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: PRAYERFUL PEARL In the back corner of Barney's Beanery in West Hollywood during the very late 1960's, three occasional customers gathered in a setting which a decade earlier would have been occupied by James Dean and assorted Hell's Angels, and before that when the joint was new (if it ever was) there may have been the likes of Clara Bow, Jean Harlow, and John Barrymore. But, this night, "Pearl" held court with her friends, and experimented with a new tune and later with other sundry items. "Here ya go, I've just been working on this little diddy," she pulled out a dirty notepad to write down some words, and opened wide with rough rolling lyrics. "Oh, Lord, please, won't ya buy me a Mercedes Benz? My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends. Working hard my lifetime, no help from my friends. So, I pray Lordy, won't ya buy me a Mercedes Benz?" She smiled, "Hey, that might do maybe for a starter, but I need more lines. What about this?" she continued. "Oh, Lord, please, give me a night out on the town. I'm counting on you Lord, so ya don't let me down. Prove that you love me, and buy those next rounds. So, I pray Lordy, there'll be a high time in town." From a nearby table, a fellow who could easily hear those words remarked over his beer loud enough for her to hear, "The good Lord don't work thata way." She darkly looked at him momentarily, but continued with composing another verse of her song. "Oh, Lord, please bring me that home running pitch. Provide your strength, and make sure I don't miss. Give me speed on the basepaths, so fast and quick. So, I pray Lordy, I need a hit off one good pitch." "It'll never happen!" the voice from the nearby table spoke a little more forcefully this time. "Who asked you?!" she harshly snapped. "Hey, who are you?!" "Nobody special, but you're talking or singing about praying to the Lord. So, thought I'd comment," he peacefully smiled, and took a long cool sip of beer. "You drawing cards this hand?" she intently glared at him. "Who is this bozo, anyhow?" she asked one of her friends. "That there is ole Casey," someone at her table informed her. "He's always around here, originally from Oklahoma, once was some kinda holy man back there." "His accent don't bother me none, but his remarks sure do," she countered. "Whata mean the Lord don't work thata way? You're a preacher or something?" "Some say I am, or was," Casey continued to smile. "I lost the calling, but know the Word, at least as well as any man; it's all in the Book. I know how to pray to the Lord 'cause His own words about it are right there written down nice and pretty for everyone to read. Praise, Martin Luther!" "He won't give you material things like a Mercedes or Porche," Casey continued, "just 'cause you ask for them even if you've been good as a saint. He might have turned water into wine, but won't deliver you Southern Comfort, or whatever the swill is you're drinking. And, He sure won't give you a solid hit, neither with a ball or song." "Exactly, whata you know about it? You're a down-and-outer squawking high and mighty!" she demanded and moved her chair to Casey's table. "So, my song's a wash? Whata you mean?" "OK, but only 'cause you asked," Casey's eyes sparkled and reflected the holy spirit once more. "Like at Jacob's Well, all over again." He called for the bartender to bring over a copy of the Bible that he kept under the counter. "The best way to figure out what to do on any topic and any situation is to read the Book, especially parts in His words. He covered how to pray! One of His favorite all time topics. I know most of those passages by heart. But, here I'll show you in His own words." Casey found some appropriate verses. "Look here," our itinerant preacher began, "He provided us instructions on how to pray in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4 in the 'Lord's Prayer.' The first thing you do in prayer is praise and honor God, and call His name to get some attention. These are His guidelines. We're thanking Him as the source of life our daily bread, asking for forgiveness of our sins where we may in turn show similar mercy towards others, and request deliverance from future temptations." "There's another in Matthew 6:5-6; most don't know about," Casey laughed. "'And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men.'" "'But, when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is unseen.'" [Math 6:5-6] "Prayer is done privately," Casey summarized, "it's a very personal matter between you and the Almighty. And, in the final judgement, it's you alone before God and not a group." "There is also a tale about the Pharisee and tax collector," he continued, "coming in judgement before God; it's one of His parables in Luke 18:10-14. God's forgiveness is given to those who humble themselves and seek His mercy." "And, look here again in Matthew 6:7-8, He states when you pray don't babble and repeat yourself. Repetitious words and incantations do not honor God. The Lord knows exactly what you mean, so say it once!" "'And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.'" [Math 6:7-8] "His words on Calvary encompass our true mission as was in His finale, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.' [Luke 23:46], and Casey didn't have to turn to that page. "Of course," Casey observed, "people say whatever they want and believe whatever they want 'cause we have free will, but those are the Lord's instructions in His own words." "Sadly," he continued, "given human nature, even if shown the right path, most won't listen or change and they become more entrenched in their previous behavior." "They'll still pray to win a game, hit a ball, or get a car; and just like in that new song, you're talking about religion as if it was superstition," Casey lamented. "Who are you to tell me that?" she less forcefully inquired. "Like I said, nobody," Casey quietly responded, "and I'm not telling you anything by myself. These are words of the Lord." "For those who truly know and learn His words," Casey concluded, "understand prayer is not for materialistic or personal things. Prayer is private, brief, and calls upon His presence so we may do His will. Our spirit and actions should be in God's hands. That's it! It is finished!" Note: Janis Lyn Joplin died of a drug overdose October 4, 1970 at an inexpensive Los Angeles hotel after a night of heavy drinking at Barney's Beanery, often the source of supply. The body was not found for two days. She was pre-deceased September 18, 1970 in a similar manner by Jimi Hendricks in London, and later followed by Jim Morrison on July 3, 1971. 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 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 07, Prayerful Pearl (Janis Joplin), March 14. 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 __________________________________________________________