_________________________________________________________ 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 00437 _________________________________________________________ Volume XII, Number 08 Publisher and Author May 24, 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 AT ELYSIAN FIELDS Enjoying a leisurely lunch at an undisclosed location in the Cherrydale section of Arlington, VA, Buddie Abbott and Louise Ciullo, our raucous revitalized duo, discuss possible activities over a long weekend in late May. As consummate performers, they are keenly aware of the significance associated with public celebrations, and in vaudeville they often would adjust regular routines accordingly to match whatever occasion was at hand. Bud: "Lou, it sure looks like another national holiday is rapidly upon us, and we're in the right spot for this one. Are you ready this time?" Lou: "Yeah, Decoration Day is Monday! I've got my flag, but it's suppose to be May 30th." "Miss Whitehead said Decoration Day is on May 30th just like she told us Washington's Birthday is February 22nd! A fella can only have one birthdate, but then you said Washington had two birthdays depending upon the calendar." Bud: "Well, I'm amazed Lou, you actually were listening. When I managed National Theater in downtown DC, I had to keep track of all important celebrations and personages. But, everything isn't always as it appears." "Nowadays, it's called Memorial Day. The holiday first was proclaimed April 1866 one year after the Civil War. Waterloo, NY was the 'Birthplace of Memorial Day' since that's where the idea started. But, the first national observance was May 5, 1867." Lou: "Well, it was a little before my time. I must have missed that one. But, Abbott, I know it's celebrated to honor and respect those fallen in defense of democracy for liberty and freedom. Decoration Day or Memorial Day, whatever the title, it's for the same patriotic reasons." Bud: "I see that Miss Whitehead certainly did her job. Do you also know why it's now commemorated on a Monday?" Lou: "Yeah, sure, because of what you said last February about Washington's birthday." Duo: "The Monday Holiday Act!" Bud: "Yes, that's right, passed in 1968 and it went into effect January 1, 1971. You actually learned something!" "Washington had two birthdays depending upon the calendar in use at the time, --the Julian one when he was born and the Gregorian which we now follow. With Monday holidays, he has yet another new date to celebrate." Lou: [aside] "I was better off with Miss Whitehead, then we had one 'Father of our Country' with only one birthday. How can anyone have three birthdates every year?" Bud: "Lou, you know Alexandria and Mount Vernon were the perfect places for performances on Washington's Birthday, but nearby for this Monday the top spot in Virginia is..." Duo: "Arlington!" Bud: "Monday and Sunday will be crowded with thousands and thousands of visitors to Arlington National Cemetery." Lou: "Sure, lots of folks will want to show their respect. We better adjust the numbers and move some decimals around. Hey, I know how to do that, and so does Congress." Bud: "Since we're in revitalized forms, we can ride over, walk in, and nobody will notice. I'll put together a list of name plates and site markers to visit. We should start with the caisson." Lou: "No, no, we're at Arlington! There'll be no cursing, especially on Memorial Day weekend." Bud: "I said 'caisson' not 'cursing.'" Lou: "I distinctly heard what you said, and I won't do it! Our act was clean. No bad language. Only good words gain public respect. I learned that from Miss Whitehead, too." Bud: "She certainly got around." Lou: "The long arm of Paterson!" Bud: "Look, Lou, it's 'caisson!' The caisson is a honorary artillery carriage drawn by horses and part of the ceremony. I'm talking about Company H of the Third Infantry, which is the Caisson Platoon. Daily they perform about two caisson accommodations at Arlington." "And, our routines on stage, radio, screen, and television; they were always above board designed for the entire family. Let's put that to rest once and for all!" "Remember what Look magazine wrote about our successful act in February 1942? I saved that issue, and it was sold-out all over the country. The Look story stated three reasons why we were popular, --'everybody can understand our humor and nobody can't help laughing,' 'new moviegoers were there for a refreshing change,' and 'our comedy was always clean.'" Lou: "Clean words and good humor! Our trademarks!" Bud: "Yes, correct, the Breen Office never worried about us. Look gave us a proper endorsement. I should say so!" Lou: "Well, OK, that was Look, but what did Life publish?" Bud: "Be serious! If they did, it would be just the same." "Let's get back to business at Arlington. You like horses don't you, especially thoroughbreds?" Lou: "Yeah, especially thoroughbred racehorses, and I rode Teabiscuit in 'It Ain't Hay' to Saratoga." Bud: "The Caisson Platoon has about forty horses perfectly matched in either black or gray. You can take your pick. Their stables are at Fort Myer by the cemetery. They pull the caisson. We'll visit a memorial stall for Black Jack. He was a caparison horse." Lou: "Comparison to what?" Bud: "I said 'caparison' horse, not 'comparison.' He was in special processionals." Lou: "He must have been compared to something. We're not talking about horsie x's and y's, again?" Bud: "Don't get confused. I'll explain, a caparison horse is also known as the riderless horse in certain ceremonies. It's an ancient custom going back to Rome and Julius Caesar. He gave us more than just an outdated calendar." "Old Bob, for example, was the caparison horse for Lincoln's funeral in April 1865." Lou: "Is President Lincoln in Arlington? Does he have three birthdays in February?" Bud: "Be serious! Lincoln was born after the conversion to the Gregorian calendar. He is resting in Springfield, and was taken by train from Washington to Illinois." "As for Black Jack, he was another famous caparison horse who passed away at Fort Myer in 1976 and was 29 years old. He was the riderless horse for President Dwight Eisenhower, General Douglas MacArthur, President Lyndon Johnson, and President John F. Kennedy." "Black Jack was at the U.S. Capitol on November 25, 1963 in his McCellan saddle and sword with boots reversed in the stirrups. He was behind the President's caisson for his final trip to Arlington. He was a bit skittish that brisk morning and sadly captured the nation's attention." Lou: "OK, let's start with the stables." Bud: "Fine! You also like boxing and baseball don't you? We'll visit the sites for Joe Louis and Abner Doubleday. They're on my list of places to see." Lou: "Are they there? Joe Louis was the heavyweight champ in the 1930's and 1940's. He defended his title against the great fighter Max Schmeling in 1938 before 70,000 in New York at Madison Square Garden. Wow, was Hitler mad!" Bud: "Louis defended his title six times in 1941, and that was before December 7th. No modern pugilist had that many title bouts in one year. He was never afraid to risk his championship in any match." "When I trained you for the ring, naturally I followed his punching style, like the boxing scene in 'Buck Privates.' Joe Louis was world champ at the time." Lou: "Yeah, so that's where you got the idea for the old 1-3 combination. It had to come from somewhere, and it wasn't Bobby Barber. All during that fight scene, it was 1-3, 1-3, and 1-3. Nat Pendelton didn't help any either, and I was getting pummelled." Bud: "Yes, that right, because and 2 was reserved for you, and that was only fair." "Now, Joe Louis, there was a great boxer and true patriot. On the Monday after December 7th, he immediately enlisted. He was much too valuable for combat, but in Kansas for the duration he trained soldiers how to fight. After the war, he returned to boxing, and finally retired in 1951 when he was knocked out of the ring by Rocky Marciano." Lou: "Everyone in Paterson knew about Marciano. He was a great champion, too. The real Rocky went undefeated with a 49-0 record and 43 bouts were by knockouts." Bud: "Sure, they were tough as nails, but kind of heart. Joe Louis was interned at Arlington in April 1981 by a special request of President Ronald Reagan because of his honesty, integrity, and many contributions to the nation in time of war. He's in section 7A #177." Lou: "Where's Reagan?" Bud: "He's in California, but there were ceremonies at the U.S. Capitol and National Cathedral. On the east and west coasts, he attracted more mourners than Valentino." Lou: "With a 'V' not a 'B.'" Bud: "Yes, that's right, Valentino only had 80,000 at his final viewing in New York." Lou: "OK, how about Abner Doubleday? I thought he would be enshrined in Cooperstown." Bud: "General Doubleday is in section 1 #61 at Arlington, as a Civil War officer and listed as the legendary founder of baseball." Lou: "Abbott, I noticed you said 'legendary.' I heard that word spoken." Bud: "Yes, that's correct. Lou, I'm actually surprised you noticed the distinction. What did I say earlier in the month about proper information and observation?" Lou: "Every kid in Paterson knows that historic written records and authenticated paintings place the origins of baseball in Hoboken with the New York Knickerbockers." Bud: "Yes, that's right. Doubleday never mentioned that he created baseball, and all his extensive letters and dairies indicated he wasn't even in Cooperstown on the year it was claimed to be established. An official commission headed by Albert Spalding in 1907 found, 'Baseball had its origins in the United States, and was devised by Abner Doubleday at Cooperstown, New York in 1839.'" Lou: "Abbott, which is it, Cooperstown or Elysian Fields?" "Take your pick, --Elysian Fields is in heaven, or home of the Dodgers ballpark, or birthplace of baseball in Hoboken. As for me, I'm betting on Hoboken since it's in New Jersey, [aside] ...next to Paterson." "Could Cooperstown be like Waterloo? Both are in New York." Bud: "H.L. Mencken wrote, '...don't believe anything you read, and only half of what you see.' And, that was in the 1920's before radio was popularized and there wasn't any television. Today he might add, '...and only half of what you hear.'" "You have your historic facts and Cooperstown its tradition, and that's all part of Americana, perfectly acceptable, like Johnny Appleseed and Paul Bunyon." Lou: "Are they at Arlington?" Bud: "Please, be serious! But, I think you'll like to see the marker for Glenn Miller, section MH, #464-A. He was on a USO trip and they never found his plane over the Channel." "You'll also want to visit the site for George C. Marshall, section 7 #8198, since the Flames play at Marshall's field. Of nine five-stars from World War II, five are at Arlington, --Marshall, Halsey, Leahy, Arnold, and Bradley." Lou: "I want to see the Kennedy sites, too. You promised!" Bud: "Yes, that's correct, John, Robert, and Jacqueline are there forever. We'll have plenty of time to see them." Lou: "And, the changing of the guard." Bud: "Yes, that started in 1937 with a 24 hour vigil, and they change guards every 30 minutes in spring and summer, hourly during winter, and at two hour intervals at night. A guard from the Third Infantry constantly is on patrol to protect the Tomb of the Unknowns who were lost in action." "We can add more to the list later, and should fit right in with all those motorcycles on the Mall." Lou: "Are we taking my motorbike with you in the sidecar?" Bud: "How else will we get there? I've never driven a car." Lou: "OK, I can see it now, we'll be like Rolling Asunder!" Note: After a successful career on stage and radio with the Kate Smith Hour and then their own weekly broadcast beginning in October 1941, and a promising film career ranking third in box office attractions for 1941; the following year Look magazine featured an article on the exceptional popularity of Abbott and Costello. They became a phenomenon at a critical time when the nation needed uncomplicated laughter. Three points stated in this story reflected Look's insights, and the comedy team offered good clean humor for millions of Americans. The classic boxing scene in 'Buck Privates' was a standard routine which the duo perfected in vaudeville. This was a visual masterpiece with all the right moves and timing. As with most routines performed in the movies, they did not need rehearsing. Said director Arthur Lubin about the skit, "Not being a boxer, I let them do whatever they wanted." Abbott and Costello unrestrained often resulted with some of their finest work captured on film. This story is one of several recreated articles: "Abbott and Ciullo in Say Hay," May 15, 2009; "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. 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 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 08, Abbott and Ciullo at Elysian Fields, May 24. 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 __________________________________________________________