_________________________________________________________ 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, 1998-2006 TXU877085, TXU959430, TXU973266, TXU013972, TXU986753, TXU949885, TXU004037, TXU022893, TXU026161, TXU047111, TXU050230, TXU061149, TXU088068, TXU120937, TXU148132, TXU163784, TXU170668, TXU196853, TXU211917, TXU216769, TXU234252, TXU253116, TXU260664, TXU180346, TXU288273, TXU311442. Issue Number 00351 _________________________________________________________ Volume IX, Number 30 Publisher and Author November 20, 2006 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: EEPHUS, EIPHUS, OPHUS The July 1946 mid-summer contest between the major leagues was probably the best All-Star Game played by Ted Williams (he was in 18 throughout his career). On that productive July 9th, Williams accumulated four hits which resulted in an All-Star record of five RBI's. Two hits were homeruns, and one memorable round-tripper mentioned in the previous issue was generated off a high arching blooper thrown by Pittsburgh's Rip Sewell. The low speed "eephus" pitch had become Sewell's specialty, and for the entertainment value alone it apparently was the reason why he was in the game. Williams did not disappoint the hometown Fenway crowd when he saw that slow floater drop across the plate. "Smack!" Patiently, he waited and with considerable force belted it over the right field fence. While that ball sailed into the bullpen 380' away, a delighted Ted Williams literally skipped around the basepaths. Although the previous issue concerned selected aspects of physics in baseball, there were several comments received regarding this particular event from 1946. In addition, there is also the consideration that throwing a fastball isn't the only method of continuing to remain active in baseball and effective on the mound for many years with Sewell being a prime example. This pitch, technically called, "eephus, eiphus, ophus," was not developed by Sewell; it is more often seen in softball, but rarely in major league play. It is thrown in a high arch about 25' into the air, and then descends across the plate at under 30 mph. The phrase is borrowed from gambling terminology where it is a style of tossing dice high into the air, rather than straight down upon a table or floor, or against a sidewall. [Note: In the movie (and play) "Guys and Dolls," this highly unusual form of dice throwing was dramatized in the final toss by Sky Masterson (Marlon Brando) in the classic underground gambling scene for the, "...oldest established permanent floating crap game in New York," inevitably arranged by Nathan Detroit (Frank Sinatra)]. In baseball, the "eephus" pitch when unexpected is often difficult to hit due to the change in timing, high angle, and slow speed. Even if a batter connects, theoretically it should not travel a great distance. If it is a strike (itself an accomplishment), and is somehow hit, often it remains in the infield for an easy out. How did Williams connect with a "eephus" for a homerun? The eventful homerun occurred in the eighth inning during a game in which the American League had little trouble dominating with a 12-0 final score, and a more detailed account follows. When Ted Williams came to bat, the first pitch was the legendary "eephus" from Sewell, which was fouled behind homeplate (0-1 count). The second pitch delivered was another "eephus," but this time for a ball (1-1 count). The third pitch breezed by Williams for a strike down the middle. Rip Sewell no longer had his top speed to strike-out Williams, but the remaining version of his once fastball was unexpected (1-2 count). The fourth pitch was an expected "eephus," and Williams a few seconds earlier in preparation carefully measured his upward swing to match a downward trajectory of that slow ball, and moved to the front of the batter's box in anticipation to counter the next throw. Sewell was up to the challenge, and delivered his trademark. Homeplate umpire, Larry Goetz, knew Williams was out of the batter's box when he hit the ball, but at that moment he simply smiled and said nothing. Afterwards in an interview he stated, "We're not really playing for blood." And, at that stage of the game with a one-sided score and hometown crowd, the extraordinary performance was pure entertainment. Why did Rip Sewell switch to an unusual specialty pitch? The obvious response was to extend his career in baseball, and many pitchers do the same to augment an aging fastball. The point is that it isn't necessary to throw 90 mph or more to remain an effective contributor to any team. Sewell pitched in the majors a considerable time, and his career included 1932 and from 1938 through 1949 with more than 2,100 innings (he was not activated for military duty during World War II). All but his rookie year he was with Pittsburgh, and he earned a respectable career total of 143 wins, 97 losses, and 15 saves. In his last three years, when most pitchers frequently experience a decline, instead he was still productive with 318 innings and a 25-8 record. During the 1941 season, Sewell injured his foot and had to modify his delivery. Thus, he began experimenting with the "eephus," which extended his career another eight years, and perhaps he could have continued further. Sewell, at age 42, finally decided to retire from baseball in 1949. At nearly the same time, another pitcher often considered the all-time classic example of an extended career on the mound, began his life in the majors at age 42. Some say his blazing fastball diminished, but he had a collection of specialties which would suddenly materialized on unsuspecting batters who were unfortunate enough to be standing by homeplate. During his "rookie" year, this MLB Hall of Famer went 6-1 with one save for Bill Veeck's team which took the 1948 World Series. Satchel Paige was one year older than Rip Sewell, but pitched in 1948 and 1949 for Cleveland, 1951 through 1953 again for Veeck in Saint Louis, and 3 innings in 1965 for Kansas City at age 59. Paige demonstrated a combination of capability and durability, coupled with considerable showmanship and a repertoire of specialties delivered with total confidence. He began pitching in professional baseball with Birmingham in 1927. Although records were incomplete, it is estimated he won 2,000-3,000 games for exceptional teams including the Homestead Grays, Pittsburgh Crawfords, and Kansas City Monarchs; more than contemporaries Cy Young, Walter Johnson, or Christy Mathewson combined. There were many names given to Paige's fancy pitches which included two classic fastballs; "bee ball" (or "be ball") and "jump ball." There was an assortment of many others, such as, change-ups in any style, dipsee doodle curves, breaking balls at any angle, double-hump blooper, and his famous hesitation pitch. He was comfortable delivering them from the front, back, or sides of the mound; and often would adjust his position until his control was assured. Paige claimed his "bee ball" was so fast that batters and umpires couldn't see it, when thrown the ball would simply materialize in the catcher's glove. Umpires would have no choice but to call it a strike. Regarding his "jump ball," Dizzy Dean during a barnstorming game in 1934 exclaimed, "Oh, baby, he could hum that ball." The pitch would literally hop. [re: Magnus Force] Another Saint Louis pitcher, Ned Garver, in 1951 said this about his teammate. "Satch couldn't throw as hard as before, but he was still able to psych people out and [in that manner] still be able to overpower people." "Paige threw a lot of different pitches. He threw breaking balls from every different angle. He varied his motion and knew more about attacking the hitter from the pitching mound than anyone I ever saw." "Paige didn't match his strength against theirs. That isn't pitching. Paige knew that hitting is timing and pitching is breaking that timing up. He didn't throw two fastballs at the same speed." Ted Williams in his prime in 1949 also faced Paige at age 43, and offered the following observations after one encounter. "Well, I want to tell you, he still had a nice easy windup, and a nice easy hesitation pitch, and good control. Paige would give you all that easy motion, he'd stop, and there it was! All the time I was hitting up there, he's moving rhythmically, and all the time I'm saying, 'This guy must have been some kind of pitcher. This guy must have been some kind of pitcher.' Meantime, I had gone to the plate six times and gotten one hit off him. I said, 'To hell with this, I've got to go to work!'" "And again, he was smart. He was smart. I can give you an example. I was up to the plate one time, I had the count 3-2. He gives me that double windup, got right up here [to the top], with his hands back of his head, and turned his wrists out like this. Everybody in the park saw it, he made damn sure I saw it. I said, 'Jesus, a curve ball!' And whoom! Fastball. Strike three." There was a description of his hesitation pitch featured in a previous issue of Fame Forum entitled, "Throwing for Freedom," June 9, 2004. "The idea came to me in a game when the guy at bat was all tightened up waiting for my fastball. I knew he'd swing as soon as I barely moved. So, when I stretched, I paused just a little longer with my arms above my head. Then I threw my left foot forward, but didn't come all around with my arm right away. I put the left foot of mine down, stopping for a split second, before the ball left my hand. When my foot hit the ground, that batter started swinging, so by the time I came around with the whip he was way off-stride and couldn't get anywhere near the ball." Developing legal specialties improves a pitcher's opportunity for success and lengthens a career on any team in any league. Paige and Sewell serve as two examples of players who made such adjustments, which enhanced their longevity, contributed to their teams, and provided considerable entertainment. Postscript In the spring of 1961, Don Short, a high school senior and pitcher, participated in a tryout session sponsored by the Philadelphia Stars. Although his Milford, Delaware teammates did not win that day, Don was recruited by Philadelphia, but that promised season never occurred as the team disbanded. However, at the game in 1961, Don Short faced Satchel Paige who was 55 that year, and in November 2006 Don commented on that encounter. "Oh, he was still long and lean. His face showed age, but he had natural moves. Like he belonged there. You know, I was up three times, didn't get a hit. I was a pitcher. I was too nervous. I was a kid. That was Satchel Paige!" "When I batted, nothing was special. He took it easy on me, maybe that's why I made the team. He did show to others a few wicked curves, not fast, but dropped. He was having fun with us." Instead of summers playing baseball, Don Short proceeded to the University of Delaware, and today is retired after a successful career in government. Everyday he proudly wears a cap from his Philadelphia team, and often thinks about that spring day when he faced the immortal Satchel Paige. Note: Ted Williams played in 18 All-Star Games. In the 1946 game, he tied the record with four hits (batting 1.000), and remains first with five RBI's, four runs, and ten total bases. In 1946, Williams received his first American League MVP Award, earned a second Triple Crown in 1947, and in 1949 another MVP. In July 2002 after his passing, the All-Star Game MVP Award was named in honor of Ted Williams. For more information on Satchel Paige, see the following issues: "Double Duty's Delight," Volume VII, Number 42, November 29, 2004; "Throwing for Freedom," Volume VII, Number 20, June 9, 2004; and "Who's Gonna Finish Second," Volume IV, Number 21, May 4, 2001. B. NWB HALL OF FAME PRODUCTS These baseball items are available from the NWB Hall of Fame: new induction poster, commemorative buttons (2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, and 1999), personalized magnet locker nametags, t-shirts, caps, knife, and ten model 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 November 17, 1944 Tom Seaver birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. November 17, 1977 Laura Wilkinson birthdate, Olympic diver. November 18, 1863 Deacon McGuire birthdate, MLB player. November 18, 1945 Wilma Mankilla birthdate, Cherokee Chief. November 19, 1921 Roy Campanella birthdate MLB Hall of Fame. November 19, 1938 Ted Turner birthdate, MLB executive. November 19, 1961 Meg Ryan birthdate, actor. November 20, 1866 Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis birthdate, first MLB Commissioner and MLB Hall of Fame. November 20, 1869 Clark Griffith birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame, owner of Washington Senators. November 21, 1934 NY Yankees obtain Joe DiMaggio from SF Seals. November 21, 1956 Don Newcombe receives first Cy Young Award. November 22, 1907 Dick Bartell birthdate, MLB player. November 23, 1940 Luis Tiant birthdate, MLB pitcher. November 24, 1911 Ducky Medwick birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. November 24, 1967 Ben McDonald birthdate, MLB player. November 25, 1914 Joe DiMaggio birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. November 25, 1951 Bucky Dent birthdate, MLB player. November 26, 1797 Sojourner Truth birthdate, abolitionist. November 26, 1866 Hugh Duffy birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. November 26, 1908 Lefty Gomez birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. November 26, 1975 Fred Lynn receives Rookie and MVP awards. November 27, 1974 Bowie Kuhn suspends George Steinbrenner. November 28, 1870 Heinie Peitz birthdate, MLB catcher. November 29, 1876 Nellie Ross birthdate, directed US Mint. November 29, 1922 Minnie Minoso birthdate, MLB player. November 30, 1962 Bo Jackson birthdate, NFL and MLB player. November 30, 1991 First US women world soccer championship. D. FAME FORUM ISSUES Volume IX, 2006 Season Publications Number 30, Eephus, Eiphus, Ophus (pitches), November 20, 2006. Number 29, Magnus Force --Make My Day!, November 5, 2006. Number 28, Better Babies and Baseball (SIDS), November 2, 2006. Number 27, Clifford's October Surprise, October 30, 2006. Number 26, Where in the World is Carmen Dominguez?, October 13, 2006. Number 25, More Information on NWB Hall of Famers, October 11, 2006. Number 24, 2006 NWB Hall of Fame Inductions, October 9, 2006. Number 23, 2006 Nominations for Induction, October 2, 2006. Number 22, Program Announcements, September 11. Number 21, LBI's Batting Third (Brenneman), August 22. Number 20, Saving Ted Williams, August 8. Number 19, Ted Williams Action Agenda, August 4. Number 18, Say it Ain't So Joe (treatment), July 6. Number 17, Spirit of 1776 (painting), July 2. Number 16, New NWB Products Available, June 26. Number 15, Meet Jane Doe (codes), June 22. Number 14, 2006 NWB Hall of Fame Induction Form, May 31. Number 13, Playing on Abraham's Side (Williams), May 25. Number 12, Clifford Finds the Easter Bunny, April 14. Number 11, Way to Go Joltin' Jo (Joes and Jo), April 7. Number 10, Alibi Isis Misses Spring Training, March 31. Number 09, Clifford Wears Some Green, March 15. Number 08, Let the Games Begin (1936 Olympics), March 14. Number 07, To Be or Not to Be (Williams), February 24. Number 06, Clifford's Favorite Valentine, February 10. Number 05, Models D29 and 36D (Marilyn), February 5. Number 04, Additional Recognition (letter), February 1. Number 03, Breaking Away (DiMaggio), January 20. Number 02, Annie's Big Apple (Runyon), January 10. Number 01, That Was the Year That Was (2005), January 1. http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame/news 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, TXU180346, TXU288273, TXU311442. Copyrights(c), NWB Hall of Fame, 1998-2006 __________________________________________________________