_________________________________________________________ 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, TXU346055. Issue Number 00377 _________________________________________________________ Volume X, Number 20 Publisher and Author May 24, 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: CALL FOR PHILIP MORR-RAZZ "Now that Bump Bailey is gone," the third base coach solemnly observed while the team was on the field running wind sprints, "that'll open up a spot in the lineup and outfield." "Say, never you mind about that," Pop Fisher the team manager snapped. "I'll figure out who plays when and where." "You know who we need, and he sure can hit with that homemade wonder bat of his," the batting coach offered advice with the flicker of hope for the Knights' sorrowful offense. "Who hits and who sits is my department," again Pop growled. "I've got another assignment for all of you. So, listen up!" The third base, batting, and fielding coaches gathered closer around Pop Fisher in the dugout. "The Colonel regrets what happened to Bump; straight through the outfield fence," he began. "But, that's over, his ashes were spread on the field. We gotta fix that fence properly. I mean, not us personally, but it looks terrible with those filled in boards the size of a body where he busted through. The sight of it gives me the creeps. And, I don't wanta be reminded of him again!" "So, I'm gonna enjoy this little assignment from the Colonel, and you'll help. He wants more signs out there," Pop further explained, "you know, advertisements. He never attends games anywhere but here, and doesn't leave that dark dingy office. He wants to know about the signs at other ballparks, the ones we've seen and like, and something about the company sponsors which he'll contact." "Lots of parks don't have signs," one coach quickly noted. "Nothing goes up on the Green Monster," another mentioned. "Wrigley's red brick wall doesn't showoff one pack of gum." the third base coach added. "Look, the Colonel wants signs, and that's it!" Pop snarled. "So, put on your thinking caps, and come up with some ideas. You guys have been all around the leagues." "He wants 'em over the field fences where the grass starts, and to cover Bump's hole in the wall. I know some ballparks have none 'cause they distract players. While others have 'em above the grandstands inside the park, and some are only on the scoreboard. There are often billboards on buildings outside the stadium, but with that there's no percentage." "The Colonel said our signs will be on the outfield fences to bring in more revenue, since our performance apparently doesn't. This is just a business for him, and he figures signs will make money." "Well, I like beer!" the third base coach excitedly offered. "There are huge beer ads just about everywhere; Ebbets has Knickerbocker, Phillies' Baker Bowl has Schmidt's, Griffith has National Bohemian, Budweiser covers the Polo Grounds, Sportsman Park has Falstaff, and Shibe Park has Ballantine." "No alcohol," Pop explained. "You know the Colonel is dry. He still thinks there is Prohibition. He wants products everybody would buy and use. Tell me something about 'em. OK, who's first?" "Burma-Shave should be good, and they already have plenty of promotional signs. Their first jingles were created in 1926 by Allan Odell, son of the founder. The name came from oils found only in Burma, which the Odells incorporated into a brushless shave cream, the first of its kind." "The inaugural roadside signs appeared in September 1926 on US 65 at Lakeville, MN, which read: 'Cheer Up,' 'Your Face,' 'The War,' 'Is,' 'Over,' 'Burma-Shave.' The standard set of slogans consists of 6 signs, 100 feet apart, bolted securely to posts on private property. In an average year, there are about 7,000 sets around the midwest. They're very popular, especially the slogans, and Fred Allen just had a radio show entitled, 'The Murder of the Burma-Shave Poet.'" Although he liked the slogans, Pop noted it wouldn't work, "Farmers only get $50 ground rent annually for those signs. And, the company is committed to that type of advertising." "What about Gillete?" was the next suggestion. "They don't advertise like Burma-Shave along highways. King Gillete revolutionized shaving. Before he invented safety razors and disposable blades, everyone used a straight edge and shaving hadn't changed since the days of ancient Egypt. Only the wealthy could afford a daily barber, while the average person shaved once or twice per week." "Gillete's idea of replaceable thin blades which held an edge in a permanent holder occurred in the summer of 1895. He experimented with many types of thin steel at a plant opened in Boston during 1901. When the first World Series was held, that year he sold 51 razors and 168 blades, but by 1904 sales jumped to 90,844 and 123,648, respectively." "OK, that's a winner," Pop agreed. "I'll recommend Gillete to the Colonel. Next?!" "How about Ivory Soap from Proctor and Gamble?" was another recommendation. "It's a great product invented by accident, and the sign could be a picture of a huge soap bar." "Accident?" Pop interrupted. "Yeah, a soap maker left a batch of new soap too long in a cutcher, a type of stirring machine, and it forced more air into the mixture. The worker processed the soap that way thinking it wouldn't be noticed. However, customers liked that batch because the soap floated, which made it easier to find in a bathtub or basin. They wanted more, and the secret mistake was eventually uncovered." "Harley Proctor proceeded to manufacture the new floating soap because it was in demand, and ingredients cost less per bar. Air is free. He sent a batch to be independently tested for its quality to chemistry professors at Princeton, Yale, and the University of Michigan. The results indicated Ivory was '99 & 44/100% pure.'" "It's better than LifeBuoy," Pop chuckled. "But, no slogans like in Philadelphia, 'The Phillies Use LifeBuoy,' and the fans added, 'and they still stink.'" "What about Wheaties?" was the next suggestion, "You know, 'Breakfast of Champions.' The idea for the cereal began in 1921 in Minneapolis. They experimented with 36 different types of wheat to determine which one resulted in the best flake. Jane Bausman won the contest to name the cereal. She said if motion pictures could be called 'movies,' and Theodore Roosevelt was 'Teddy,' then wheat flakes should be 'Wheaties.' Bausman was also the wife of a member on the company's Board of Directors." "OK, another natural for a ballpark billboard," Pop agreed. "Hey, I've got one!" the coaches were becoming enthusiastic. "Life Savers! In 1913, Edward Noble saw the product which was manufactured by Clarence Crane a chocolatier. The mint candy with a hole in the middle was an unsuccessful sideline for Crane, and he sold the rights to Noble for $5,000." "Noble was inventive; he improved the product, added flavors, and designed a protective wrapper. He promoted the breath mint for sales in saloons, barber shops, cigar stores, news stands, drug stores, and restaurants. He created a special display rack to be placed next to cash registers which would hold Life Savers and similar items like crewing gum." "His big break came when United Cigar Stores decided to sell Life Savers in 1,200 outlets using Noble's display. They are an impulse purchase, and promotion is important to catch the customer's attention. More of the company's budget is spent on advertisement than production. They should want signs on the field, and Life Savers in our concession stands." "Right!" Pop smiled, and from his shirt pocket a new roll of peppermint Life Savers emerged, which he passed around. "OK, if we're on food related items," another coach shouted, "what about condiments from H.J. Heinz?" "Sure," Pop nodded. "What's your story?" "This goes back to 1876, the same year the National League was formed. Henry J. Heinz began selling horse-radish in clear bottles. This was a difficult time consuming product to make at home. He also devised a formula for 'ketchup,' another item which normally would take all day to boil and stir at home. Many years passed as he refined and expanded his products and business. During 1896, while in New York he saw a placard in an elevated railway car for Florsheim which read, '21 styles of shoes.' He didn't make shoes, but offered more than sixty products. Heinz somehow liked the number 57, which went on company labels and advertisements." "In 1900, the first outdoor electric sign appeared on the streets of New York proclaiming 'Heinz 57 Varieties,' which was six stories high with 1,200 light bulbs. This company is a natural for signs!" Pop smiled in agreement. "Birds Eye sells food," another coach cooly added, "and Clarence 'Bob' Birdseye was the 'Father of Frozen Food.' He was an explorer, inventor, scientist, adventurer, and highly individualistic. While trading in Labrador during his youth, he discovered that extreme cold could preserve vegetables all winter. This was nothing new to the local inhabitants. Upon returning to New England in 1917, he continued to experiment with freezing foods, and in 1923 perfected a technique applied to fish. Quick freezing was a natural preserver rather than cold storage which damaged the product. He expanded into other items, and his entire operation was eventually purchased by General Foods with Bob Birdseye in charge of the frozen foods division." "I'll pass it along," Pop commented, "but as you know the Colonel likes fresh foods." "Hey, this one is sure fire!" the call came from the third base coach. "Elsie! She'll even come out to the field and chew the Colonel's grass, that cow is a real ham." This one really intrigued Pop Fisher, "Yeah, yeah, go on!" "Gail Borden during the 1850s invented condensed milk as a method for preservation. Whole milk without refrigeration would only last a couple of days before souring. In his many travels, he found a method of dry vacuum preservation used by the Shakers to condense sugar, juices, and extracts. He applied their process to milk, and after considerable testing in 1853 found a technique which worked. It took three years to earn a patent, and his milk became highly successful because of the Civil War. Borden plants could not keep up with the Union Army demand to supply troops. Sealed in cans, condensed milk lasts indefinitely." "Elsie as a trademark evolved before the 1939 New York's World Fair. The Borden Company planned a major exhibit at the fair, but Elsie was an inanimate bovine on a milk can label. At a preview before the Fair opened, someone asked, 'Where's Elsie?' A real Elsie was hastily found in a New Jersey meadow, and quickly taken to Long Island. Her name was 'You'll Do Lobelia.' She became a big hit at the fair, where the company constructed a special stall with colonial decor. Since then she has been in movies, sold war bonds, and visited many children's hospitals and orphanages. For her tenth birthday, there was a party at New York's Hotel Roosevelt with 200 guests. Jack Benny gave her a new pinseal purse, Frank Sinatra a barrel of molasses, Lana Turner presented her boxes of bath salts, Ray Milland had a case of pickled beets, and Leo Durocher presented her an autographed baseball." "Well, that cinched it," Pop laughed, "We need one more, but what could top Elsie?" "Here it is! Johnny Roventini!" the batting coach smiled. "His sponsor, Philip Morris, started in Victorian London, and now it's the most established brand in the country." "In 1933, two advertising men in the New Yorker Hotel lobby asked a bellhop to announce a call, which was Johnny who was a 22 year old dwarf standing 43" high and weighing 54 pounds. Milton Biow and Kenneth Goode gave Johnny a card to announce, which he promptly did with flair. The slogan and style were perfect, and Johnny became an instant celebrity on the radio and in person at conventions and ballparks. He will travel anywhere for the company in his new chauffeur-driven Austin." "OK, OK, that's a real winner," Pop hardily concurred. Pop looked at the big scoreboard clock and the players on the field, and it was getting late. "One last go around," Pop advised. "The Colonel also wants a sponsor for the clock," he pointed to the scoreboard. And, without missing a beat the coaches chimed-in, "Crosley Field has Gruen," "Comisky Park has Elgin," and "I've seen Longines at Forbes Field and Shibe Park." "Great!" Pop smiled. "The Colonel will be pleased; that wraps things up. Oh, yeah, and don't tell Bill Veeck about Johnny." 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 May 21, 1943 White Sox and Senators 1 hour 29 minute game. May 22, 1902 Al Simmons birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. May 23, 1956 Bucky Showalter birthdate, MLB manager. May 24, 1935 First MLB night game, Phillies at Reds. May 25, 1905 Martin Dihigo birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. May 25, 1928 Mary Wells Laurence birthdate, Avis ads. May 25, 1935 Babe Ruth hits 714th homerun. May 25, 1982 Ferguson Jenkins 3,000th strikeout. May 26, 1932 Joe Altobelli birthdate, MLB manager. May 27, 1819 Julia Ward Howe birthdate, song writer, authored "Battle Hymn of the Republic." May 27, 1960 First oversized catcher mitt for Hoyt Wilhelm. May 28, 1896 Warren Giles birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. May 28, 1968 American League creates two divisions. May 29, 1922 Supreme Court declares baseball a sport and not a business subject to antitrust laws. May 29, 1990 Rickey Henderson 893 career stolen bases. May 30, 1927 Jimmy Cooney unassisted triple play. May 31, 1927 Johnny Neun unassisted triple play. May 31, 1935 Babe Ruth final at bat with Boston Braves. D. FAME FORUM ISSUES Volume IX, 2007 Season Publications Number 20, Call for Philip Morr-razz (billboards), May 24, 2007. Number 19, Bodacious Broadcast (radio story), May 18, 2007. Number 18, Alibi Isis Augurs a Perfect Game, May 11, 2007. Number 17, Guideposts and Sentinels (code ribbons), May 4, 2007. Number 16, Fenway Bats and Panther Jets (VMF-311 Williams), April 27. Number 15, How to Succeed in Baseball Without Really Trying, April 20. Number 14, Personal Courage and National Resolve, April 16. Number 13, Talkin' with Bat and Glove (Robinson), April 13. Number 12, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Fame Forum, April 5. 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, TXU346055. Copyrights(c), NWB Hall of Fame, 1998-2007 __________________________________________________________