_________________________________________________________ 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, TXU348663, TXU346055. Issue Number 00392 _________________________________________________________ Volume X, Number 35 Publisher and Author October 30, 2007 Richard C. Jaffeson Washington, DC HallFame@usa.com http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame _________________________________________________________ 2007 NWB HALL OF FAME INDUCTION KRIS "LEFTY" RANISZEWSKI 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 TED WILLIAMS WEBSITE http://www.saveted.net _________________________________________________________ A. COLUMN: CLIFFORD'S RAUCOUS OCTOBER HOWL "Owwwl! We did the mash. We did the monster mash, Woof-woof wahhh-uooo, and it caught on in a flash." "'Cause, it was the mash. It was the monster mash. Woof-woof wahhh-uooo..." While sitting at the kitchen table on a bright and crisp weekend morning in late October, Emily immediately knew what those words meant and from whom they were emanating. The source of such vocal discord was clearly unmistakable, especially the exceptionally loud unrestrained refrain. "Woof-woof wahhh-uooo..." Again, the uncontrollable sound permeated the autumn air thoroughly mixed within nature's own colorful patterns of brightly descending and rustling leaves. "Woof-woof wahhh-uooo..." Before the telephone could begin ringing with justifiable complaints from throughout the neighborhood, Emily decided to parry the problem and discuss the eerie strains directly with the originator of the penetrating haunting sounds. Emily knew Clifford was better at dialogues than serenades, especially at this early hour and given his unusual singing capabilities, or lack thereof. Although, he possessed many favorable endearing qualities, Clifford could never carry a tune and emphasized volume rather than melody in an attempt to compensate for the deficiency. This approach was always unsuccessful, but he never noticed or was discouraged. And, who was going to tell a big red dog "No!" Thus, whenever the mood moved him, Clifford sang loudly to his heart's content, as only he can. "Woof-woof wahhh-uooo..." "Ouch!" Emily exclaimed; it really hurt, "that cinches it!" She put down her carving knife, disposed of the extra pumpkin seeds and slices, carefully set aside her special project, and pranced out the back door. As she approached his palatial doggie domain, which occupied a large portion of the backyard, the music from inside grew louder and more raucous. She heard the telephone behind her in the kitchen, and quickened her pace to reach the original source of her concern to, "head it off at the pass." She jumped inside the doghouse front door without knocking, and shouted loud enough for him to hear, "Morning Clifford!!!" This immediately caught his attention, and curtailed Clifford in mid-verse, which was Emily's primary objective. And, a few seconds afterwards, the telephone also stopped ringing. "Whew!" Emily thought, "Enough 'monster mash,' at least for now." She looked around, but instead of his usual neat and tidy place, clothes were scattered all over the main room. Clifford's head had been stuck into his huge costume trunk with forepaws tossing various and sundry items into the air in total abandon somewhat in time to his so-called music. Emily knew exactly what he was doing, but decided to play along and allow Clifford to explain, which he loved to do when he had a captive audience. "What's up big buddy?" Emily happily inquired giving Clifford an opportunity with that opening line. Without missing a beat, Clifford proceeded, "Well, you know what tomorrow night is, and I'm getting ready." He understood Emily was fully aware of why his doggie domain was so messy upon this occasion, and he threw a question back to her. "I can't decide which outfit I should wear. And, I'm staying away from orange, that was last year. What do you think I should be?" "Hmmm," Emily was cautious with her recommendations, and began with a process of elimination. "Well, a werewolf or wolfman are not right. You're too nice, and they're too scary. What about a baseball player, that's a good choice?!" The suggestion was also a safe bet for Emily. "Yes, that's OK," Clifford acknowledged, "but everyone knows that I play for the Flames, so there's no surprise." "I do have the cap JoAnn gave a few seasons ago," he commented further, "and the special bat you ordered from the factory in Pennsylvania for Christmas. But, I don't have a real uniform, because for the Flames I don't need one, and I also don't have cleats." Clifford instinctively looked at his paws and claws. "If I set the bat aside," he speculated, "then they might not understand my outfit. Besides it's getting much too cold for baseball. The Flames season ended September 16 at Marshall." Clifford looked at the wall calendar next to his bat rack, and casually added, "The Flames took the championship, again." "I know," Emily confirmed, "they were also 13-1 this year in the regular season." "Yup," Clifford woofed, and absently looked back inside his mammoth costume trunk. He continued, "I backup JoAnn in the outfield, but it's sort of the out-outfield. Only Laura can hit the fences, and she plays for the Flames, so there is not much action for me, but I'm always ready to play." "The Flames have been around for a long time," Emily decided to provide some additional information. "The regional league was formed in 1991," Clifford raised one ear to listen to Emily and dug deeper into his trunk. "JoAnn became President in 1995," Emily continued, "while managing the Flames. Some team names have changed over the years," she noted. "Did you know the Flames were originally called Olympus Gym?" Clifford nodded in agreement, and indicated, "The BarnCats were originally called the Panthers in 1991, and later for some time they were the Pet Barn BarnCats." Emily smiled because Clifford knew some league history, and although he plays for the Flames and doesn't need a uniform, the Pet Barn is his favorite store. "Here's what I think," Clifford returned to his costume theme, "--red devil, fire truck, or red lobster." "I'm not going as the devil," Clifford modestly concluded. "You're quite right about my disposition. A fire truck might be cool, and I'm big enough. I'd carry ladders on my flanks, and wear a hat and boots." "Four boots," Emily counted. "Of course," Clifford woofed, "maybe a bell around my neck." "As a Red Lobster," Emily surmised, "you mean the restaurant?" "Yup," he replied, "I'd hold one of their menus, and put on a chef's cap and butter bib." "Very good Clifford," Emily chuckled at his creativity, "but a lot depends upon where you are going. You haven't said." "Oh, the Pet Barn," Clifford replied, "Where else? They have all sorts of doggie goodies for Halloween. The Doggie Bakery is full of special healthy treats. And, the proprietor allows me to help on holidays." "Well," Emily concluded, "why don't you just go as yourself? Everyone knows you. Be yourself Clifford; that's why we all love you." And, she quietly added, "But, please don't sing." Clifford quietly smiled and contently wagged his big red tail, as only he can. B. NWB HALL OF FAME PRODUCTS These baseball items are available from the NWB Hall of Fame: commemorative buttons (2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, and 1999), t-shirts, caps, 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 October 28, 1886 Statue of Liberty dedicated. October 28, 1926 Bowie Kuhn birthdate, MLB Commissioner. October 29, 1859 Charles Ebbets birthdate, Dodgers owner. October 29, 1891 Fanny Brice birthdate, singer and dancer. October 29, 1953 Saint Louis Browns became Baltimore Orioles. October 30, 1916 Leon Day birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. October 31, 1912 Dale Evans birthdate, television star. November 1, 1921 Ilse Aichinger birthdate, writer. November 1, 1960 Fernando Valenzuela birthdate, MLB pitcher. November 2, 1903 Travis Jackson birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. November 2, 1914 Johnny Vandeer Meer birthdate, MLB pitcher. November 3, 1918 Bob Feller birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. November 4, 1937 Loretta Swit birthdate, television star. November 5, 1857 Ida Tarbell birthdate, journalist. November 5, 1891 Earle Neale birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. November 6, 1887 Walter Johnson birthdate, MLB Hall of Fame. November 6, 1908 Carole Lombard birthdate, actor. November 7, 1944 Joe Niekro birthdate, MLB player. 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. D. FAME FORUM ISSUES Volume X, 2007 Season Publications Number 35, Clifford's Raucous October Howl, October 30, 2007. Number 34, 2007 MVP Recommendations Requested, October 26, 2007. Number 33, Raniszewski Raps More Runs, October 19, 2007. Number 32, Raniszewski in Detroit Free Press, October 16, 2007. Number 31, 2007 NWB Hall of Fame Induction, October 15, 2007. Number 30, 2007 Nominations for Induction, October 1, 2007. Number 29, Improvements to Induction Procedures, September 18, 2007. Number 28, Proposed Induction Modifications, September 10, 2007. Number 27, 2007 NWB Hall of Fame Induction Form, August 30, 2007. Number 26, Clifford's All Night Stand (stadium), July 19, 2007. Number 25, Tributes or Tribulations for TeddyBallgame, July 9, 2007. Number 24, Where Have You Gone Ted Williams?, July 3, 2007. Number 23, Return of Young Frankenstein (Williams), June 30, 2007. Number 22, 2007 NWB Hall of Fame Induction Form, June 1, 2007. Number 21, Clifford Carries the Flag (Memorial Day), May 25, 2007. 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, TXU348663, TXU346055. Copyrights(c), NWB Hall of Fame, 1998-2007 __________________________________________________________