_________________________________________________________ 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, 1998-2009 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, TXU1OPSAH, TXU1Z5BTB, TXU2ACJSN, TXU34SIZX. Issue Number 00436 _________________________________________________________ Volume XII, Number 07 Publisher and Author May 15, 2009 Richard C. Jaffeson Washington, DC HallFame@usa.com http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame _________________________________________________________ 2008 NWB HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS MELISSA GIBBONS AND ROSIE WEAVER 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, RANISZEWSKI, GIBBONS, WEAVER TED WILLIAMS WEBSITE http://www.saveted.net _________________________________________________________ A. COLUMN: ABBOTT AND CIULLO IN SAY HAY Upon returning to a rainy suburban DC after brief fielding instruction in sunny California, our revitalized comedy duo of Buddie Abbott and Louise Ciullo consider the forthcoming weekend and an event which traditionally occurs the third Saturday in May beginning in 1873. Since it is too early to be playing poker, they are walking along a quiet thoroughfare in Maryland during early morning, while Lou expresses a recent disappoint. Lou: "Abbott, I don't understand! This should never happen, but it did. You heard it yourself, I didn't make the Flames. And, you promised!" Bud: "I did nothing of the kind. You have to learn things like this sometimes occur, that's all, one of life's little slaps in the face. You of all people should be accustom to that treatment by now. After all, the Flames are a world calibre championship team with nothing but the best players. A first class act!" Lou: "Yeah, but Abbott, I had my heart set on the Flames. I memorized every move Babe Ruth made at homeplate. And, he's our best baseball hero. We watched Esther Williams and the Wolves over and over, and that great combination, O'Brien to Ryan to Goldberg! Nothing could be better!" Bud: "Entirely correct." Lou: "You said 'confidence is the thing.' I had plenty of that, too!" Bud: "Sure, you could handle any situation on or off stage, but baseball is different, and like the field manager said there was no room for you on the roster." Lou: "Hey, I'm no chicken." Bud: "Ah, one 'o' not two. I said 'roster' not 'rooster.'" Lou: "Come Abbott, I'm no rooster. Did you ever hear me crow at dawn? But, I may have been a chicken, once years ago in vaudeville I laid an egg." Bud: "Not on your life. Your stage repertoire was perfect." Duo: "Confidence!" Bud: "Correct, and in baseball performance is what counts. There are no substitutes or charlatans at the plate or in the field. It's only you and the ball. That's it!" "Don't worry, don't worry, a spot might open up, because the season just started. You may still be on the Flames." Lou: "Gee, Abbott, do you really think so? You're not just kidding me, again?" Bud: "Would I do that? Never! Look Lou, you know what a 'closed booking' is don't you?" Lou: "Sure, in vaudeville a theater owner has another show ready to go if the first one turkeys-out and is closed." Bud: "It's the same thing here, you have to be ready and raring to go at a moments notice for the Flames." "What's more, to prove I'm your friend and I'm your buddy, I'll gladly offer you free advice." Lou: [aside] "And, that's what I'm afraid of..." Bud: "First of all, they said your hitting was impressive." Lou: "Babe Ruth!" Bud: "Naturally, and a bat is 75% of your contribution to any baseball team. The Flames don't want you hitting for those pesky BarnCats? Of course not, and that department is taken care of, but what you need is fielding experience to round out your abilities." Lou: "Sort of round me out, huh?" Bud: "Yes, correct, that's right." Lou: "But, aren't I round enough?" Bud: "I mean to make you a more complete player with a few more good moves here and there so you won't make mistakes." Lou: "Esther Williams did all that for her baseball team. She sure has plenty of good moves and curves! Wooo, wooo!" Bud: "Be serious! Esther's a great athlete." Lou: "She knows everything there is about fielding, and even taught Eddie O'Brien, Dennis Ryan, and Nat Goldberg. So, how did I miss out?" Bud: "I'm not at all surprised. Somehow you found a way!" Lou: "Come on Abbott, what did you say about confidence?!" "Esther's 1949 team was called the Wolves just like our's, and that's what it said on the jerseys of Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra, and the rest of her team. She played with the very best, and so will I, the Flames!" Bud: "With a few days in California, there wasn't enough time for you to learn everything. You know great players aren't made overnight. With Babe Ruth, you've admired and emulated him for nearly 100 years." "Speaking about outstanding fielders, I'll bet you didn't know Willie Mays' birthday was last week. May 6th in 1931." Lou: "So was Valentino's in 1895, the year you were born." Bud: "Yes, that's right with a 'V' and not a 'B.' Whoever heard of Rudy Balentino?" Lou: [aside] "And, not too many people these days heard about Rudy Valentino, 'The Sheik.' Wooo, wooo!" Bud: "Willie Mays, now there is a great overall player. Certainly, he's someone in the field you could emulate." Lou: "Hey, there I go emulating again all over the place, in the field and on the plate. Abbott, I don't even know what it means! All I wanta do is play for the Flames." Bud: "Lou, I'm only trying to help. These suggestions are invaluable. I assume you saw the newsreels of Willie Mays and 'The Catch?'" Lou: "Sure, sure, everybody did; it was September 29, 1954. I didn't miss that one; I was still around the first time." Bud: "Now that's how to field, and he didn't have to look. His back was turned to the ball, and he caught it over his shoulder. Everything was all natural, instinctively he tapped his glove once and 'Bammm!' there was the ball. Mays never even had to think." Lou: "Yeah, I could easily do that last part." "But, Abbott, Brady Anderson said to keep both eyes on the ball at all times. And, Esther Williams didn't say anything about tapping my mitt. Her famous double-play trio kept their eyes on the ball, and Busby Berkeley had them do a song and dance routine about fielding." [melodiously] "'...when the dust settled everyone's out, O'Brien to Ryan to Goldberg!'" Bud: "I'm certain you could easily top Jules Munskin in fielding! He was third banana to us at Minsky's." Lou: [repeat] "'...when the dust settled everyone's out, O'Brien to Ryan to Goldberg!'" Bud: "Will you stop that singing?! Here I am trying to help you, and you won't even pay attention." Lou: "I'm listening, I'm listening! You were talking about May 6th. And, I know another reason why it's a very important date in baseball history." Bud: "Oh, and what might that be?" Lou: "It's the same date that Babe Ruth hit his first major league homerun in 1915. Every kid in Paterson knows when that happened." Bud: "Well, certainly, I should say so! Now, let's get back to our business. Baseball!" Lou: "But, Abbott, this weekend is the Preakness, and it's in Maryland. You know how much I love horses." Bud: "And, betting! Once you lost in a one horse race. We're staying away from the ponies." Lou: "Come on Abbott, Pimlico is so close. It's the second oldest track in the country after Saratoga." Bud: "For once you're right, Pimlico opened in 1870, and Saratoga was in 1864 during the Civil War." Lou: "Well, I must have missed that one, it was a little before my time. But, in 'It Ain't Hay' I stole and rode Teabiscuit into Saratoga." Bud: "There you go getting yourself into trouble again. This is Pimlico! And, this weekend everyone will be drinking Black-Eyed Susans." Lou: "Yeah, who punched her? She got a blackened eye from somewhere, didn't she?" Bud: "What am I going to do with you? It's the name of a drink taken from the name of the state flower. It's easy to make, --a little vodka and whiskey, some sweet and sour mix, orange juice, and topped with a slice of orange and a cherry." Lou: "Vodka and whiskey?! Hey, not for me, make mine a double malted, that's all I drank in Paterson. And, I had five malteds in one scene during 'Buck Privates.' Maxine Andrews made them for me! Wooo, wooo!" "But, Abbott, we don't have to bet. I could just look at the racing form. Who's running this year?" Bud: "Well, I guess looking won't hurt but no betting. You aren't going to loose any of our money this time. Not in this lifetime." "It so happens I have a copy of the racing form in my pocket. Do you recall what all the symbols represent? For example, what does 'x' mean next to a horse's name?" Lou: "A horsey not to bet on." Bud: "Say, what do you mean?" Lou: "I looked at it before, and wrote it on your form." Bud: "Not your 'x,' the form's printed 'x.' This means that a horse is a good mudder." Lou: "Well, it could be a good mother, but this race is for three year old horsies. Isn't that a little early, before fillies are in season?" Bud: "I said mudder not mother. If there is an 'x' in front of a horse's name, it means he's a good mudder." Lou: "How could a he horsey be a good mother? Colts are colts, and fillies are fillies. A he horsey only could be a good father." Bud: "All horses are good fodders, and it doesn't matter which ones. I see you're getting a little confused." Lou: "How could a filly be a good father?" Bud: "I said fodder not father. Horses have to eat, too! In the stables, fodder is always on the menu." Lou: "Miss Whitehead in biology class said 'xy' is a male in the chromosomes of all cells, and that 'xx' is female. The 'y' represents father characteristics, and the extra 'x' are those of a mother." Bud: "Wait a minute! We're talking about horses here." Lou: "Horses, people, and mammals makes no difference; it's all the same to Mother Nature." Bud: "But, I'm talking about horse racing charts, and on these forms 'x' before a horse's name indicates he's a good mudder not mother. The horse runs well in M-U-D, on a wet or soggy track." "And, besides the form, there's an easy way to tell on race day if a horse is a good mudder." Lou: "How do you do that?" Bud: "Walk down to the saddling enclosure and look at their hoofs. Thoroughbreds, and most horses, don't like running in the rain or on wet tracks, but certain equines are better under those conditions. The horses with big flat feet are good mudders." Lou: "And, your mother wears combat boots!" Bud: "Oh, brother! Lou, in honor of the Preakness, I'll buy you a new straw hat, that'll take your mind off racehorse betting." Lou: "A Susquehanna Hat, because they're made nearby. Horsies will eat straw, when they're off their fodder. See, I was listening!" "As for hats, Hedda Hopper always wore trademark hats everywhere she went, and you know who she married?" Bud: "All she wrote was propaganda in the newspapers." Lou: "Prop-a-what? Movies again? Could be! There you go with those big words that I don't understand. Are you still taking a slow-burn about Hedda?" Bud: "She wrote things about you and me and many other celebrities which weren't exactly true. Harmless enough in her venue, but it doesn't always have to be the case. Remember Goebbels?" Lou: "Yeah, George, a funny straightman. Second banana!" Bud: "No, no, Hitler's buddy who invented propaganda by mass media, --newsreels, movies, and radio. This was a little before television." Lou: "Sure, our best productions were during World War II. Did we present propaganda?" Bud: "Our movies were purely entertainment, and we didn't deliberately distort truth for political purposes. But, Goebbels did using repetitive propaganda as an instrument of government to control his nation and deceive the world. Effective propaganda could turn everything upside down." Lou: "How could that happen?" Bud: "Well, let me give you an example. Suppose someone told you the sun rose in the west. You might believe it." Lou: "Impossible!" Bud: "But, what if they repeated it over and over, nobody questioned, and they offered some proof. If information came from the government, naturally it would have to be entirely correct. If it's all you heard since childhood, many might actually believe the sun rose in the west." Lou: "But, how could anyone prove a western sunrise?" Bud: "Alright, suppose you flew from London to New York." Lou: "Not me, I don't like airplanes rides over an ocean. I'd take a big boat!" Bud: "I said 'suppose.' This is hypothetical. You know what that means!" "Suppose you're in a supersonic SST departing Heathrow at 9:00 PM London time during summer. At that hour, the sun has already set. Correct?! You're heading west towards America, and the SST only takes 3 hours to complete the journey, but on the earth's surface you're passing through 5 time zones. When you depart it's 9:00 PM and dark, but in New York at that moment it's 4:00 PM in the afternoon, 5 hours less. The SST only requires 3 hours to arrive at Idlewild or Kennedy Airport; your arrival time is 7:00 PM. Since it's summer, 7:00 PM is still daylight." "Here's the bit question, at any time during your flight, did you see the sun rise in the west?" Lou: "What if it's raining?" Bud: "You're at 40,000 feet, and there are no clouds." Lou: "What if I'm sleeping?" Bud: "You're wide awake talking to the stewardess and looking out the window." "Somewhere over the middle of the Atlantic about half way through the flight the sun will rise in the west." "There I've proven my point. And, every school kid in America and text book must indicate that the sun rises in the west. They'll remove anyone who disagrees." Lou: "Hey, that's not America, that's not democracy. Everyone has a right to voice their opinion." Bud: "True, true, no matter how ridiculous a viewpoint could be, everyone has that right of free expression. In a democracy, citizens should think for themselves, and not blindly believe and follow what they are told or read. Everyone has to determine what is correct or incorrect for themselves." Lou: "How do we do that?" Bud: "Information and observation. For example, take the sunrise. How would you prove or disprove that?" Lou: "I'd go outside very early in the morning with a compass and a watch, and wait for the sun to come up. Like a rooster, I'd know!" Bud: "Correct! Repeat that a few times, in your case a few dozen times, and it would be verified. That's called the scientific method. What would happen then if someone told you that the sun rose in the west?" Lou: "I'd punch him in the nose!" Bud: "Well, I think you got my point. Determine what is correct through proper information and observation. And, in the long-run, Mother Nature always wins." Lou: "What about Hedda Hopper?" Bud: "Her spiel was harmless about entertainers, and she wasn't a government perpetuating hoaxes, such as, Y2K, swine and avian flu, holes in ozone, and global warming. The list could go on, guaranteed..." "Besides, could Hedda Hopper be trusted? She married DeWolf Hopper, a vaudeville performer." Lou: "Yeah, he immortalized 'Casey at the Bat' penned by Ernest Thayer in 1888." Bud: "Wolf milked that bit for 45 years. The routine was his insurance piece. He claimed to present 'Casey' 10,000 times, and that's the same number we've used for 'Who's on First.' But, nobody counted." Lou: "Well, we could add a few more zeros, since we've been revitalized. And, look Abbott, the Daily Racing Form says this weekend for the Preakness the track is dry and fast. There'll be no mudders." Bud: "True, Mother's Day was last weekend." Note: "It Ain't Hay" released in March 1943 was the ninth feature film starring Abbott and Costello, and was based upon a Damon Runyon racing story. It featured a short version of the team's Mudder Fodder Routine, which was also in "The Noose Hangs High" in 1948. Celebrity columnist Hedda Hopper was briefly married to DeWolf Hopper who immortalized "Casey at the Bat." Ernest Thayer wrote the verse for William R. Hearst's San Francisco Examiner, Sunday edition, June 3, 1888. Ironically, Hedda Hopper's rival, Louella Parsons, was promoted by Hearst in all his papers nationally after she allegedly witnessed Tom Ince being shot by 'W.R.' abroad his yacht Oneida in November 1924. This story is a continuation of a series of recreated articles: "Abbott and Ciullo Seek Esther Williams," April 30, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo Visit the Batting Cages," April 9, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo at Spring Training," March 26, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo Celebrate George's Birthday," February 22, 2009; "Abbott and Ciullo in Washington," December 17, 2008; and "Abbott and Ciullo Meet Ted Williams," November 28, 2008. In these articles, the comedy duo's names were changed to Buddie Abbott and Louise Ciullo (a derivation of Ciulla, NWB Hall of Fame in 2003). B. NWB HALL OF FAME PRODUCTS These baseball items are available from the NWB Hall of Fame: commemorative buttons (2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, and 1999), t-shirts, caps, and bats. Also, free commemorative ribbons are available. The website homepage has an order form, and the photo page displays several items. C. HISTORIC TIMELINE May 6, 1915 Babe Ruth first MLB homerun. May 6, 1931 Willie Mays birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. May 6, 1998 Kerry Wood 20 strikeouts in 9 innings. May 7, 1925 Glenn Wright unassisted triple play. May 7, 1954 Amy Heckerling birthdate, entertainer. May 7, 1959 Roy Campanella night at Yankee Stadium. May 8, 1968 Catfish Hunter pitches perfect game. May 9, 1938 Glenda Jackson birthdate, entertainer. May 9, 1961 Jim Gentile hits consecutive grand slams. May 10, 1868 Edward Barrow birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. May 10, 1970 Hoyt Wilhelm pitches 1,000th game. May 11, 1907 Rip Sewell birthdate, MLB pitcher. May 11, 1967 Natasha Richardson birthdate, entertainer. May 12, 1917 Mary Kay Wagner Ash birthdate, cosmetics. May 12, 1925 Yogi Berra birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. May 13, 1967 Mickey Mantle hits 500th home run. May 14, 1899 Earle Combs birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. May 15, 1901 Dorothy Anderson birthdate, medical scientist. May 15, 1981 Len Barker pitches perfect game. May 15, 1953 George Brett birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. May 16, 1928 Billy Martin birthdate, MLB player and manager. May 17, 1903 Cool Papa Bell birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. May 17, 1925 Tris Speaker has 3,000th hit. May 17, 1970 Hank Aaron has 3,000th hit. May 17, 1998 David Wells pitches perfect game. May 18, 1937 Brooks Robinson birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. May 18, 1946 Reggie Jackson birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. May 18, 1957 Orioles and White Sox play tie game (rescheduled). May 19, 1928 Gil McDougald birthdate, MLB player. May 20, 1931 Ken Boyer birthdate, MLB player and manager. May 20, 1921 Hal Newhouser birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. May 20, 1946 Cher birthdate, entertainer. 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 XII, 2009 Season Publications Number 07, Abbott and Ciullo in Say Hay, May 15. Number 06, Abbott and Ciullo Seek Esther Williams, April 30. Number 05, Abbott and Ciullo Visit the Batting Cages, April 9. Number 04, Abbott and Ciullo at Spring Training, March 26. Number 03, Abbott and Ciullo Celebrate George's Birthday, February 22. Number 02, Commemorative NWB Hall of Fame Buttons, February 20. Number 01, That Was the Year That Was, January 2. 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 with 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, TXU1OPSAH, TXU1Z5BTB, TXU2ACJSN, TXU34SIZX. Copyrights(c), NWB Hall of Fame, 1998-2009 __________________________________________________________