_________________________________________________________ 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 00426 _________________________________________________________ Volume XI, Number 32 Publisher and Author November 9, 2008 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: BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGLE DOG OF KOMPANY BEE Unearthly musical sounds were loudly emanating from Emily's backyard early on a bright brisk Sunday morning in November. There it was again... "A-Blaaat! A-Blaaat! A-blaaat, blaaat, blaaat, blaaat!!!" Emily instantly knew the origin, and her next thought was, "Oh my gosh, the neighbors!" She quickly pushed aside her Cheerios bowl, and rushed towards the kitchen door before the telephone could start ringing. "Yes, I know Mrs. Smith," she thought of the explanations that might be forthcoming, "it's that new trumpet he kept from Halloween." and "You are perfectly right Mrs. Brown, it is Sunday, and people should be quiet and in church." She was hoping to curtail the necessity for excuses through eliminating the problem at the source and confiscating his so-called instrument at least temporarily until a much more reasonable hour. Emily raced across the lawn to Clifford's palatial doggie domain to "cut him off at the pass." However, by this time, Clifford switched to his notorious vocalizations. Emily didn't know which was worse, but his voice didn't carry as far as the horn's eerie brassy blasts. Upon arrival, she didn't bother to knock as he continued to joyously sing with considerable abandon. "I'm the boogie woogie bugle dog of Kompany Bee, a-woof, a-woof, a-diddleyadda woof-toot-tootie, playing eight-to-the-bark!" For a moment Emily was astounded by what she encountered inside his main room. Her canine was loosely attired in a Marine Band uniform with the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. "I'm the boogie woogie bugle dog of Kompany Bee, a-woof, a-woof, a-diddleyadda woof-toot-tootie, playing eight-to-the-bark!" His second verse snapped Emily back to reality and mission to silence her precocious pooch. But, he continued... "I'm the boogie woogie bugle dog of Kompany Bee, a-woof, a-woof, a-diddleyadda woof-toot-tootie, playing eight-to-the-bark!" Rather than ever telling any big dog "No!," Emily decided to engage Clifford in another manner with a question. "Clifford," she politely began, "isn't it suppose to be 'eight-to-the-bar,' and not 'bark?'" she calmly inquired to dissuade his current singing and previous playing. Clifford was undoubtedly well prepared. "True, but this is my version and not the Andrews Sisters. Eight notes to the bar is jazz and fast. I'm not that good yet with bulging. I'm 'eight-to-the-bark,' something which I easily handle." Emily noticed he was correct on two counts, first it was not a trumpet but a bugle, and second the Andrews Sisters popularized the song. But, she also thought, "Why was Clifford learning to bugle?" Because dogs are perceptive with compatible people, Clifford understood her curiosity and appropriately responded. "I'm practicing to play next Tuesday at Arlington with the Marine Band," he nonchalantly informed her while causally brushing the selves of his uniform with bright red chevrons which beautifully matched his coat. Instantly, Clifford had addressed several of her concerns, and Tuesday was Veteran's Day, a proper patriotic occasion for him to perform at Arlington. But, she decided to have some fun since apparently Clifford was in a playful mood. "Oh, another Robert E. Lee Prewitt, I presume," she giggled. "Not exactly," Clifford laughed along with her and replied. "He was in the Army as the First Bugler for the Old Guard at Arlington, and reassigned to Schofield Barracks in Honolulu," Clifford was absolutely beaming, "where he met Frank Sinatra and Burt Lancaster!" He added with shear glee. "Hmmm, tough to fool my canine this early in the morning," Emily thought, and countered with, "But, Montgomery Clift never really played an instrument." "Exactly why I'm practicing," he cautiously woofed without missing a beat, "that is until I was so rudely interrupted," he brazenly teased Emily. "Oh, pardon me, I am so sorry maestro," she faked a curtsey, "but I was only worried about our neighbors." Clifford feigned a double-take and uttered, "I'm a baaad boy!" mimicking Lou Costello's famous line. They roared in unison, and together pronounced, "Shhh..." for the sake of the neighbors, while placing a finger or paw next to their lips. "So, all of Monty Clift's bugling scenes were dubbed," Emily asserted. She was again careful to emphasize the "t" in the actor's last name, since not even Emily, but only one person could ever use the reference "Cliff" in Clifford's presence. "Yep!" Clifford nodded in confirmation. "Someone else played his horn in those scenes, but the real Andrews Sister actually performed the 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Kompany Bee,' and other top tunes in the 1941 movie 'Buck Privates.' Many of their songs were big hits during World War II." "I must have missed that one," Emily responded, "it was a little before my time." "But, since you saw the movie," she inquired, "which Andrews sister did you like best?" "Let's see, there were three, --Maxine, Patty, and LaVerne," Clifford contemplated. "Each was special in their own way, but I preferred Maxine, cute 'Max' for short. She sounded more melodious, projected sparkling charm on film, and also wrote the autobiography about the group." "Hey, wait a minute Clifford, wait a minute," she interrupted. "Did you say 'Kompany Bee?' Isn't that 'Company B?'" "Oh, you caught me on that one," he slyly smiled, "I didn't think you'd spot the difference." "I didn't notice you threw it until now," she snapped back. "Sure, you know," he responded to the fast flowing routine, "sometimes I work at the Pet Barn, and that's Kompany Bee!" Expressionless she accepted the punch line, but without the customary drum roll. Clifford continued with the film theme, "The stars of 'Buck Privates' in their first feature movie were Bud Abbott and Lou Costello." "Did they perform 'Who's on First?'" Emily followed with an inquiry about their most famous baseball routine. "The country was getting ready for war," Clifford explained. "The movie opened with President Roosevelt signing the first peace time Selective Service Act on September 16, 1940 which inaugurated the draft more than one year before Pearl Harbor. Secretary of War Stimson drew 158 as the first number." "Well, since you're playing at Arlington, it's good that you know American military history," Emily concluded and started her own routine. "But, tell me Clifford, when did you become a Marine, and go through basic training?" "The Marine Band doesn't go through basic," Clifford noted. "Those selected become non-commissioned officers. There are 154 members, and many configurations for standard and special occasions. I'm doing Arlington on November 11, Veteran's Day, originally Armistice Day in remembrance of World War I." "I must have missed that one," Emily giggled, "it was a little before my time." Ever sharp Clifford commented upon the quote, "Monty Clift?" "It's the 'Sand Pebbles' from Steve McQueen," Emily broadly smiled at delivering a favorite line. She picked-up the tempo, "Tell me Clifford, how would you fit in the Marine Band? Those musicians are excellent, and you can hardly play a single note. They'll never let you on the parade grounds. Won't you get in trouble? You'll probably find yourself on permanent KP." "Probably, it's K-Bee," Clifford grinned in grand expectation. "No, KP, Kitchen Police," she explained, "peeling and washing in a galley somewhere. Some admiral will probably put you in charge of cleaning all the vessels. Where else?" "For me, K-Bee is working at the Pet Barn," Clifford laughed. "OK, Clifford, you win!" Emily concluded looking at the clock. It was already late morning, and all of the neighbors should be awake and about town. "You can practice now Clifford, but pleased try to improve," Emily pleaded. "If any neighbors call, I'll explain you are doing your patriotic duty and preparing for Veteran's Day at Arlington with The President's Own U.S. Marine Band!" Note: The United States Marine Band was formed in 1798, and remains the nation's oldest musical organization. In various venues, it performs before Presidents and Commandants. Currently, it is represented by the classic Marine Band, Chamber Orchestra, and Chamber Ensembles. Information regarding the Band was obtained at a presentation by MGS Mike Ressler, Historian, USMB, October 10, 2008 in Arlington, VA. References to "Kompany Bee" and "K-Bee" pertain to the proprietor of the Pet Barn inducted into the NWB Hall of Fame October 2001 (see website). http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame "Buck Privates," released February 3, 1941, opened with a Universal Pictures Newsreel of President Franklin Roosevelt and Secretary of War Henry Stimson drawing draft number 158. Selection meant one year of military training. Congress passed the first peace time draft on September 14, 1940, and President Roosevelt signed the Selective Service Act September 16. The movie "Buck Privates" starred Bud Abbott and Lou Costello with song appearances by the Andrews Sisters. It was a box office success generating $4 million with production costs of $180,000. But, Universal sold it as a B movie not retaining a percentage of revenues which accrued mainly to local theaters. There were two Oscar nominations for best original music songs and scores. "Who's on First," was developed and refined by Abbott and Costello during the 1930's in live theater presentations. It was first nationally aired on "The Kate Smith Radio Show" in 1939. Ted Collins the show's producer initially did not appreciate the skit. But, the routine was an instant hit, and the team's salary jumped from $350 to $500 per broadcast. Eventually, they earned $1,250 a week, and "Who's on First" was performed once every month on Smith's show. The classic routine took 6 minutes. Abbott and Costello claimed they presented the baseball routine at least 10,000 times on radio and television (similar number as DeWolf Hopper for "Casey"). In the movies, "Who's on First," was recited in "Naughty Nineties," 1945, and sequenced in "The World of Abbott and Costello," 1965, and "Rain Man," 1988. In the skit line-up, all player positions were given names except right field in recognition of their all-time Yankees hero Babe Ruth. 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 November 8, 1896 Bucky Harris birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. November 8, 1912 Katherine Hepburn birthdate, actor. November 9, 1876 Moonlight Graham birthdate, one MLB game. November 9, 1935 Bob Gibson birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. November 10, 1934 Norm Cash birthdate, MLB player. November 11, 1868 First spiked shoes in sporting event. November 11, 1899 Pie Traynor birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. November 12, 1920 Kenesaw Landis first Baseball Commissioner. November 12, 1961 Nadia Comaneci birthdate, Olympic medalist. November 13, 1941 Mel Stottlemyre birthdate, MLB player. November 14, 1900 American League established. November 14, 1912 Barbara Hutton birthdate, Woolworth heir. November 15, 1928 Gus Bell birthdate, MLB player. November 16, 1964 Dwight Gooden birthdate, MLB player. November 16, 1977 Oksana Baiul birthdate, Olympic medalist. 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. D. FAME FORUM ISSUES Volume XI, 2008 Season Publications Number 32, Boogie Woogie Bugle Dog of Kompany Bee, November 9. Number 31, Everything's Coming Up Rosie (Weaver), October 21. Number 30, Forever Young (Mel Gibbons), October 14. Number 29, 2008 NWB Hall of Fame Inductions, October 8. Number 28, Melissa Gibbons Article From 2000, October 5. Number 27, Rosie Weaver Article From 2005, October 4. Number 26, 2008 Nominations for Induction (NWB/HoF), October 3. Number 25, Move Over Bobby Thomson, (EWBC final), September 22. Number 24, 2008 NWB Hall of Fame Induction Form, September 4. Number 23, Niner at the Plate (Casey II), August 4. Number 22, K.C. Higgins at the Bat (Casey), July 31. Number 21, Base Ball To Day, Polo Grounds, July 25. Number 20, Hit the Ball: Act One, Scene One, July 23. Number 19, Batting Beauty (Esther Williams), July 19. Number 18, Playing and Pitching Parodies, July 16. Number 17, Swinging in the Rain (Freed hits), July 14. Number 16, Begin the Ball-Guine (Porter hits), July 11. Number 15, Puttin' on Your Mitts (Berlin hits), July 3. Number 14, 2008 NWB Hall of Fame Induction Form, June 29. Number 13, Judy, Judy, Judy (Johnson), June 12. Number 12, Tales of Narda: The Guessing Game, May 10. Number 11, Clifford Plays Some Hoops (Auerbach), April 21. Number 10, Tales of Narda: Lady with the Light, April 13. Number 09, Tales of Narda: Turning the War Club, April 2. Number 08, Playing for a Higher Authority (Natural), March 22. 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 __________________________________________________________