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Honors for Stan ‘The Man’ Musial

Sportsmen Get Long Overdue Honor
By Raymond Rolak

Wash. D.C.– It took the encouragement of some U.S. Senators and the entire ‘Cardinal Nation’ but Stan Musial was finally awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He was included with a very distinguished group. President Barack Obama presented to the 90 year old Musial in the East Room of the White House. Musial was one of 15 recipients of the medal and one of two sports greats. Also honored was Boston Celtics Hall of Famer, Bill Russell.

Musial and Russell were included with a very distinguished group including former U. S. President George H.W. Bush. Interestingly, the senior President Bush, 86, had played baseball at Yale and participated in the NCAA finals in 1947 and 1948. The former collegiate first baseman talked about the great experiences he had at the first College World Series. The first two CWS were at Hyames Field on the campus of Western Michigan University. Yale had been runners-up to California and USC in 47 and 48, respectively. “We got our picture taken with Babe Ruth and I thought that was heady stuff but here I am with Stan-the-Man,” said the former President. “I am so honored to be here today.”

Also receiving the award were former President George H.W. Bush, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, U.S. Rep. John Lewis, John H. Adams, Maya Angelou and financier Warren Buffett. Also included were Jasper Johns, Gerda Weismann Klein, Dr. Tom Little, Sylvia Mendez, Jean Kennedy Smith, John J. Sweeney and world renown musician Yo-Yo Ma.

President Bush, who played baseball at Yale, kept a George McQuinn style first baseman’s glove in the Oval Office desk drawer when he was in the White House. “When I was stressed, I would pull it out and pound on it,” said the former President.

Musial, inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in 1969 and the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame (NPASHF) in 1973 was humbled. Seated with Lil, his wife of over 70 years, Musial said, “I am proud to be a Cardinal.”

Russell was the centerpiece of 11 championship seasons for the Celtics. Also, he won two NCAA basketball championships at the University of San Francisco. One of Russell’s high school teammates in Oakland, California was future baseball Hall of Famer Frank Robinson.

Russell, who also coached for the Seattle Supersonics in the NBA, was also a national basketball broadcaster. He complimented President Obama about reaching the top of his field based on intelligence, ingenuity and hard work.

Throughout the 2010 baseball season, thousands of Cardinals fans from around the world took part in the team’s social-media based ‘Stand for Stan’ campaign. The players also joined in the campaign. “For us, Stan embodies all that is good about the game of baseball and what it means to be a St. Louis Cardinal,” wrote the 2010 Cardinals players in a letter to President Obama supporting Musial for the Medal of Freedom. “Stan is a role model for players and fans alike, embodying the qualities of good sportsmanship, self-discipline, hard work, consistency, grace, humility and excellence.”

The grass roots effort blossomed and helped the decision of the President regarding Musial. Ron Watermon of the St. Louis Cardinals was the point man for the ‘Stand for Stan’ project. Cardinal supporters and Musial admirers were encouraged to take their picture of with the caricature of the ‘Stand for Stan’ and forward the photo’s on. Folks were lobbying and encouraging others in the effort with their picture of ‘Stand for Stan’. “The day we started the project, the team (Cardinals) was in San Diego, and there were fans already in the stadium with ‘Stand for Stan’ posters,” said Watermon. “It took a life of its own and just grew.”

The Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor. It is bestowed to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the best interests of the United States, to world peace or to cultural or other significant public endeavors. Though individuals may be honored for singular acts of momentous achievement, it is generally presented for a lifetime of service or at the conclusion of a distinguished career. It was long overdue for Musial.

Musial joins other baseball greats who have been awarded the Medal of Freedom, including Hank Aaron (2005), Roberto Clemente (2003), Joe DiMaggio (1977), Buck O’Neil (2006), Frank Robinson (2005), Jackie Robinson (1984) and Ted Williams (1991).

A Pennsylvania native, Musial enjoyed a 22-year Major League Baseball career as an outfielder and first baseman with the Cardinals. He started out as a promising pitcher. With his unorthodox coiled stance, he batted .300 or better in each of his first 16 seasons and finished with a .331 career batting average. His average ranks 32nd all-time in baseball history and fifth highest in Cardinals history.

Musial won the National League batting title seven times. He was a three-time National League Most Valuable Player (1943, 1946 and 1948), accumulated a career total of 3,630 hits and 475 home runs.

Musial also was on three World Series teams as a player and one as the Cards’ general manager. His great sports appeal was national in scope. Musial became part of the fabric of American culture, when in 1946 the spectators in Brooklyn, New York gave him his now famous nickname, ‘THE MAN’.

Musial recalled his induction into the NPASHF in 1973 and the anniversary celebration of the Museum 25 years later. He remembered fondly regaling the audience with his harmonica. “Ray, Polish food is still my favorite,” he added while smiling. “I watched the 2006 series on TV,” referring to the Tigers-Cards matchup.

Off the field, Musial’s accomplishments are still impressive. Other activities and charities fond to Musial are the USO, Senior Olympics, the Boy Scouts, the Crippled Society of St. Louis, and Shelter the Children. He always has stayed connected to baseball and operated a hotel in retirement and lent his name to a restaurant in suburban St. Louis.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, missing the entire 1945 season. While still playing he recognized the great importance of off season training and nutrition. In 1959 Musial hired a personal trainer to get his hitting eye back on stroke. He was awarded Comeback Player of the Year in 1962 when he hit .330 at age 41. After his playing days he served as chairman of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s President’s Council on Physical Fitness from 1964 to 1967.

Musial wholeheartedly helped the growth of Little League baseball in Poland and has acted as an unofficial emissary to Poland. He was awarded the Cavalier Cross of the Order of Merit, the Polish Government’s highest civilian honor.

The Medal of Freedom was established in 1945 by President Harry S. Truman to honor service during World War II. The medal was re-established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy and the scope by which it is awarded was broadened.

“Throughout his life, Stan has never sought recognition for his good works,”’ said Cardinals Chairman William DeWitt Jr. in a released statement. “Stan has been a true role model exemplifying the humility, grace and generosity we so desperately need to see in our American sports heroes.”

Musial’s decency as a gentleman was legendary. Musial stood by his beliefs of treating people right. In 1947 when some Cardinals wanted to boycott an upcoming game against the Brooklyn Dodgers because they had African-American Jackie Robinson on their roster, he took action. Unaffected by the pressure, Musial adamantly refused to follow suit. The Cardinals played the game, a testament to the respect he commanded in the clubhouse. He was also highly valued for mentoring rookies with advice and tips. He would include ‘the rooks’ for dinner invites when traveling on the road. Years later, Hank Aaron said that Stan Musial was one of his favorite Major League players because he treated all men equally and with dignity.

Musial was the first player in Cardinals history to have his uniform number retired and in 1969 won first-ballot election into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. On Oct. 2, more than 39,000 fans paid tribute to Musial at ‘Stan for Stan’ Day at Busch Stadium.

MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said, “On behalf of all of Major League Baseball, I am truly thrilled that The White House has honored Stan Musial with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Stan Musial is an extraordinary human being, a great American and one of the best players in the history of the game. He has long been a treasure of St. Louis, but he represents all the best of our national pastime. Today, our game salutes Stan Musial on this highest honor from our country.”

I joked with Bill Russell that Musial had been offered a basketball scholarship in 1938 to the University of Pittsburg. “Russell smiled, “I would have gotten more boards.” The normally very intense Russell was very gracious and we compared some University of San Francisco and University of Detroit sports stories. We shared about the Jesuit Basketball Initiative, a new promotion to highlight Jesuit colleges that have varsity men’s and women’s basketball programs. Russell had as two of his guests, football great Jim Brown and baseball Hall of Famer Joe Morgan.

There is a statue of ‘Stan the Man’ outside of Bush Stadium in St. Louis. It is inscribed with this quote by former baseball executive Ford Frick, “Here stands baseball’s warrior. Here stands baseball’s perfect knight.”

Photo courtesy of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Editors Note: Raymond Rolak is a Sports Writer and was a past Chairman of the NPASHF.

Events, Poland - Polish - Polonia, , , ,

A good day for Polonia

Stan “The Man” Musial received the Medal of Freedom and a Polonian church is saved.

From CBS News: Stan Musial Receives Medal of Freedom

(CBS/AP) St. Louis Cardinal legend Stan “The Man” Musial was one of 15 people to receive the Medal of Freedom from President Obama today. In a ceremony in the White House, the President awarded the Medal, the highest civilian honor in the country, to Musial as well as poet Maya Angelou, world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and basketball great Bill Russell.

President Obama called the recipients, “the best of who we are and who we aspire to be.”

In the world of baseball, few lived up to that praise as much as Stan Musial. As a St. Louis Cardinal, Musial was a three-time World Champion and appeared in 24 All-Star Games. He retired after the 1963 season with a .331 batting average and 475 home runs. Of his 3,630 career hits, exactly half came at home and half on the road. This is in spite of the years he took off during World War II to serve in the Navy.

Musial, 90, wore his familiar Cardinals-red sports coat during the ceremony shown on St. Louis television and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch website. He beamed as the president placed the medal around his neck.

Musial, a native of Donora, Pa., was signed by the Cardinals as a pitcher but converted to the outfield after a shoulder injury in the minor leagues. It worked out well.

He earned the nickname “The Man” in 1946, when Post-Dispatch sportswriter Bob Broeg heard fans at Ebbets Field welcome Musial to the plate by saying, “Here comes the man.”

Musial was the general manager of the 1964 Cardinals that won the World Series in seven games over the New York Yankees. That victory came a year after his retirement from playing.

He has remained a beloved figure in St. Louis. In fact, it was a grassroots “Stand for Stan” campaign that helped convince the White House to honor Musial with the Medal of Freedom. The Cardinals promoted the idea through Facebook, Twitter and other social media, and politicians quickly joined in letter-writing campaigns.

The Medal of Freedom is the highest honor awarded to civilians. The award is meant to recognize individuals who have made exceptional contributions to national security, world peace, or the culture as a whole. Only 257 Americans have ever received this honor.

From the Berkshire Eagle: Vatican: St. Stan’s must re-open as place of worship

ADAMS — The Vatican rarely reverses a church closing, but today parishioners from St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish learned their prayers were answered: A decree made public today declares that St. Stanislaus Kostka Church must re-open as a place of worship.

About 200 parishioners have participated in an around-the-clock vigil at the church on Hoosac Street in Adams since Dec. 26, 2008, the day the Catholic church closed.

“After over two years’ worth of effort, we are very happy and deeply grateful to the Vatican for hearing our case and deciding it favorably — we feel very blessed that our prayers have been answered,” said Laurie Haas of Adams, whose name led the appeal by St. Stan’s parishioners.

“This is an historic moment in the Catholic Church. It is our understanding that a decree decision like this has just been issued to only two other diocese in the entire U.S. So this is truly monumental, we are very grateful to almighty God for this wonderful blessing and the return of our beloved St. Stanislaus Kostka Church,” Haas said.

The complexly written, four-page decree from the Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy supports the appeal by St. Stan parishioners to keep the church open as a divine place of worship. The decree was signed by prefect Mauro Cardinal Piacenza.

The decree upheld the right of the Most Rev. Timothy A McDonnell, bishop of Springfield, to “suppress and merge” all the Roman Catholic parishes of Adams and to locate the newly formed Parish of Pope John Paul the Great at the former Notre Dame Church. However, the decree takes issue with the closing of St. Stan’s church, stating that the reasons given by the diocese for the building’s closure in December 2008 were not justified.

The decree states the church building must be re-opened as a place of worship but does not define how McDonnell should proceed…

Here’s the video:

As I recently pointed to in The Immigrant Mosaic in Massachusetts: Adams, MA has the largest percentage of people self-identifying as Polish-Americans [in Massachusetts] — 29.1% of the local population.

A great victory attesting to the hard work, dedication, and perseverance of the people of the parish, but remember that they could only appeal one bishop’s decision to another. The decision making power in relation to the assets of the parish, which they support and pay for, is totally outside of their hands.

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The Legend of Pinky Deras

‘The Greatest Ever’ chonicled in new baseball film, says former teammate, Tom Paciorek
By Raymond Rolak

HAMTRAMCK– More like a Grand Slam. The movie preview was definitely a grand slam. It was the first showing of the short-documentary, “The Legend of Pinky Deras: The Greatest Little-Leaguer There Ever Was.” Players from the 1959 Hamtramck Little League National Champions and the 1961 Hamtramck Pony League National Champions were celebrated. These were mostly second generation Polish-Americans and Pinky carried the load for both of these championship teams.

Former Major Leaguer, Tom Paciorek highlighted the film with his great praise for Deras. The statistics back him up and then some. During that 1959 summer, Deras hit .641 with 33 home runs and 112 RBI’s. “When Deras pitched, you couldn’t see the ball,” said Paciorek. “And when he hit, well you had better walk him or it was a home run.” Most remember Paciorek as the longtime Chicago White Sox broadcaster.

Paciorek should know. Besides broadcasting baseball, he has the pedigree. He was an 18 year MLB veteran, an All-Star and 1972 Minor League Player of the Year.

The evening was supposed to be about celebrating Art ‘Pinky’ Deras. He wouldn’t hear of it as he shared the spotlight with his former teammates. The players in attendance received a standing ovation. “That’s Pinky,” said Robert Miller, a 1961 Pony League Championship teammate. “He was humble then and he is humble now.”

One of the great anecdotes of the evening was when Deras recalled his professional California League playing days; he went out for dinner one night with Tom and John Paciorek. “I think we were in Modesto, which was pretty heady stuff for three kids from Hamtramck. That was the 60’s and I was probably a bit too free spirited. I really looked up to John. He was a great player.” John Paciorek has a special footnote in baseball history, as he has the listing for the highest batting average in the ‘Baseball Register’. Another lost to history detail was that the Deras family name had originally been spelled Darasz.

The movie presentation had rare footage of the 1959 Championship game between Auburn, California and Hamtramck. Kevin Deras (Art’s son) located the ‘lost’ 16-millimeter film at the Little League archives in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Mark Modich, another longtime teammate said, “We were good as a team, but Pinky just had that much more talent.”

Deras kept shifting the spotlight from himself. “Don’t forget Sid Cline pitched a great second game,” said the tall pitcher. “Hawaii had just become a State so there was a lot of excitement.”

“I was big for my age, everyone caught up,” he added smiling. In the 1959 Finals, Hamtramck won three straight, Puerto Rico, Honolulu and Auburn. It was on Aug. 29, 1959 when Deras pitched that championship game, a 12-0 shutout. In all, Hamtramck won 13 straight games in their journey. The mostly Polish-American community of Hamtramck went wild. Their native sons were Little League National Champions.

In the preview there were scenes from the nationally televised, “The Lawrence Welk Show” that the players appeared on and never before seen shots of the 1961 Pony League Championship from Washington, Pennsylvania. One of the players even danced with the prominent, ‘Champagne Ladies’. Dodge of Chrysler Motors was a national sponsor for the Welk show and because there was a Dodge-Main (factory) connection to Hamtramck, the advertising agency pulled it all together.

Deceased and heralded educator, Joe Piasecki was remembered fondly for being such a great teammate. Also, the other catcher, Greg Pniewski said, “I had to catch those fastballs and Pinky threw the equivalent of over 100 mile per hour.”

The evening was sponsored by the Hamtramck Recreation Department and high praise went out to former Director Frank Wysoki who was so instrumental in the achievements of the Hamtramck baseball programs.

Deras emphasized how successful the Hamtramck High School baseball teams were in the old Twin Valley Conference and former Detroit Tiger, Ike Blessitt, who was in attendance, agreed wholeheartedly.

The writers and directors of the movie were present and moderated a spirited question and answer session. Buddy Moorehouse and Brian Kruger introduced narrator, Oliver Darrow. The large crowd gave the film makers another standing ovation. “We are still editing and will make a few more tweaks,” said Kruger, President of ‘stunt3-multimedia’.

The movie also highlighted the special recognition award the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame gave to the 1959 Hamtramck Little League National Champions. “I didn’t save many mementos but I have my photo with Stan Musial from when I was at spring training with the St. Louis Cardinals,” said Deras. Deras retired recently after spending 30 years as a Warren Public Safety Officer.

Paciorek reiterated, “Pinky was the best 12 year old baseball player ever and he was the best 14 year old baseball player ever. I have seen many and he was the best. We had the support of the whole community.”

The film will again be previewed Sunday, August 29, on WXYZ-TV Detroit Channel 7 at 1:00 PM before the ABC-ESPN presentation of the 2010 Little League World Series at 3:00 PM. Copies of the DVD which is expected to be 42 minutes long will be available at stunt3.

Photo courtesy of stunt3-MultiMedia

1959 Hamtramck Little League National Champions

Chester, John
Cline, Charles
Cline, Sid
Dembeck, Richard
Deras, Art
Ferrebee, Reginald
Heald, William
Jones, Kenneth
Lepkowski, Steven
Milewski, Michael
Modich, Mark
Piasecki, Joseph
Pionkowski, Eugene
Polich, James
Pniewski, Gregory
Przytoysz, Matthew
Scott, Mark

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Polish Heritage Night at Wrigley Field

Polish Heritage Night, First Time at Wrigley Field, sponsored by PEPSI — by Raymond Rolak

CHICAGO– PEPSI and ‘Chicago Cub’s Charities’ helped the Chicago based Polish American Association to raise over $12,500 at the first Polish Heritage Night at Wrigley Field. Purchase, New York is the home for PEPSI headquarters.

Almost 34,000 turned out to enjoy the game and pregame festivities which included the high energy of ALIZMA. The violin trio did not disappoint.

The PAA sold Cub’s baseball caps with the Polish flag on the side for $5. All the proceeds went to the PAA for their programs. The PAA provides social services in the Chicago area. Besides PEPSI, PNC Bank was also a keynote sponsor for the evening.

Those that came late missed the jazzy renditions of the Polish and American National Anthems by vocalist Agnieszka Iwanska.

Everyone seemed to join in the celebration. The San Diego Padre broadcast team of Dick Enberg and Mark Grant highlighted their telecast back to California with Polish American baseball anecdotes. —Stan Musial was the first inductee into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame,— said Enberg. Grant was impressed with Enberg’s history recall. —I try and vote every year,— added Enberg. It should not be surprising as Enberg is a baseball history buff and always peppers his broadcasts with old tidbits of baseball information. Before the game, the Central Michigan University alumnus (1957) also bragged about former CMU quarterback Dan LaFevour, now playing for the Chicago Bears.

Grant, a former pitcher, fondly told stories about Danny Ozark. Ozark was his manager in San Francisco in 1984. The deceased Ozark was a NPASHF inductee this year.

Also, before the game, Cub’s Coach Allan Trammell was impressed with the entertainment and reminisced about Polish night at old Tiger Stadium in Detroit. —We used to tease Dick Tracewski our longtime coach. I have Polish-Philadelphia roots and this brings back memories of my mom’s cooking. It is hard to find good stuffed cabbage in California,— said Trammell.

Students from the Polish Saturday School in Chicago were the honor guard for the pregame anthems. Aleksandra Krystek of the Polish Consulate and Jadwiga Pytlik-Kacik of the Polish Saturday School choreographed the music and flag protocol. It went off without a glitch.

Zygmunt Matynia, Consul General of the Republic of Poland and Gary Kenzer, Executive Director of the PAA were scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitches. Also, Stan Kaczmarek of the Cub’s was supposed to do a special toss before the game but the music ran long. No one complained as ALIZMA was rocking the house. They boot-scooted and energized old Wrigley Field with both Polish pop songs and American Country favorites. The Polish triplets Aleksandra, Izabela and Monika, were a big-big hit.

In the concourse and near gate F, volunteers from the PAA and Cub’s staff were selling the Polish Flag-Cub’s hats. Almost 2,500 were sold. Krystyna Grell and Beata Cohmiak did a brisk business selling hats and also passed out baseball instruction cards printed bilingually for rules enhancement and ‘rookie’ attendees.

With people still mingling outside of festive Wrigley Field, the San Diego Padres did the home team in, 1-0. The Cubs had a disaster of a first inning and never recovered. It has been a rough year for the loveable ‘Cubbies’. They have 10 rookies on the roster and after the game they traded slugger Derek Lee to the Atlanta Braves. They are over twenty games under the .500 mark. It looks as if the rebuilding has started.

The Levy Restaurant and Catering Company provided Polish style dinners at the ‘Sheffield Grill’ and there was Polish offerings throughout the Wrigley Field concession stands.

Chicago Black Hawk broadcaster Ed Olczyk sang the traditional Wrigley Field, ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game’ during the 7th inning stretch. The still enthusiastic crowd stood and joined in as the established tradition demands. Most stayed to the end, there was a chance in the bottom of the ninth. Alas, the home team went down still, 1-0. The loveable Cub’s.

John Pachlowski and Michal Jaworski of TVN-24 did a television feature for Polish TV and the Chicago Sun-Times highlighted all the Polish-American baseball players in the NPASHF, including Jenny Romatowski. She is another Polish-American Wrigley Field baseball connection. You can look it up.

Other Major League Baseball teams that hosted Polish Nights this year are the Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, and the Pittsburg Pirates.

There is a baseball training center in Kutno, Poland which has hosted the European Little League Championships.

Raymond Rolak is a Michigan based sports broadcaster.

Events, Poland - Polish - Polonia,

Take me out to the ballgame, Polish Night, and poprawiny

Polish-American Baseball Night – ‘A Big Hit’ In Detroit by Raymond Rolak and courtesy of Polish Times/Czas Polski

DETROIT—“ Before the game, the players watched with amaze: both the A’s and the Tiger’s. They watched along with everyone else, the color and the authentic costumes. They watched the Polish folk dancing and listened. The show was spectacular and this all helped to make Polish-American Night at Comerica Park a giant hit.

Coordinated by the Polish American Congress-Michigan Division, the evening was a vision of color and the weather was perfect. For those in attendance, the Polish style music was a hit also. At game time, Comerica Park was standing room only.

The home team lost to the Oakland A’s, 5-4, but the post game fireworks presented by Pepsi got most in attendance in good spirits before they left the stadium. The accompanied Polka music during the fireworks show was a surprise and an added bonus.

It was the 40th Annual Polish-American Night with the Tigers and before the game General Manager, Dave Dombrowski was smiling, —We will have a full house and it will be a great pre-game show.— The Tigers and the Polish-American Night committee hit a home run with the presentation.—

At the Detroit event even —PAWS—, the Tiger’s mascot was dressed in Polish folk costume and the Press Box and staff commissary was serving Polish stuffed cabbage and kielbasa-n-kraut.

Early arrivals to Comerica were treated to the lively tunes of Big Daddy Lackowski & the La-De-Das, The Natural Tones and The Kielbasa Kings. Big crowds gathered outside of Comerica Park before the game and enjoyed the music. WDIV-TV weatherman, Chuck Gaidica highlighted Big Daddy Lackowski on the Channel-4 evening news.

Also, the first 10,000 people entering the stadium got vintage-style wool ‘Olde English D’ Tigers caps with the 1935 World Series highlighted. These were sponsored by the Detroit Medical Center. It is the 75th anniversary of that title. Furthermore, The Tigers and the Polish-American Night Committee presented tee-shirts to those that bought a pre-planned ticket package. Also, the Polish American Congress Foundation got $5 from every Polish Night pre-game ticket package sold.

There were 13 dance troupes and the Polish Scouts performing on the field. Representatives of sponsoring Polish fraternal groups were introduced before the game.

Before the game, Tiger radio broadcaster Jim Price hosted Wally Ozog, currently of Chicago and President of the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America, on his pre-game show. Price highlighted past Polish-American nights at Tiger Stadium. Throughout the Oakland-Detroit game broadcast, Price brought to light, anecdotes about former Major League Polish-American baseball players. He told humorous stories about Tom Paciorek, Frank Tanana, Ron Perranoski and Dick Tracewski. Price, who played for the Tigers said, —We always looked forward to Polish-American Night as we had Polish food in the clubhouse after the game and we always teased —Trixie— (Tracewski), for getting another plaque from the host committee. People forget he was on three World Series winners as a player and another as a coach. That’s four rings. Those are great memories.—

Price also mentioned that former Tiger Jim Northrup and his wife are sponsoring an orphanage in Poland.

On the field, right before the umpires declared, —Play Ball—, Barb Toboy, introduced Robert Szczublewski, who was dressed in traditional Polish costume. He had stirring renditions of the Polish National Anthem and the —Star Spangled Banner—. It transitioned to the honoring of a decorated U.S. Army veteran, Specialist Joe James, who was on leave from Iraq. They got standing ovations

Ceremonial first pitch throwers, Nicole Blaszcak and Jerry Lubiarz did commendable jobs and survived the tremendous applause. The PRCUA Zakopane Polish Folk Dance Group had the distinction of being the color guard.

The Tiger loss dampened a spectacular three home run night by Miguel Cabrera. It was the first time for the Tiger slugger that he had three in one game. Oakland reliever Andrew Bailey earned his 10th save of the year. The A’s are now 9-2, in the all-important, one-run games.

In the press-box, former Tiger great Willie Horton reminisced how honored he felt when presenting Paciorek into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 1992. —I remember how great the mushroom soup was that evening. I love Polish food. Tom and I were teammates in Seattle. He had good years in Seattle. He always helped keep the clubhouse loose. He is a great baseball broadcaster, always prepared.—

Ray Fosse, former catcher for the Oakland A’s and now their flagship station broadcaster sent glowing reports of the evening to California during his call of the game. Mario Impemba of Fox Sports Detroit also painted the picture of Polish —“American Night with highlights on the Tigers TV-cast. Fox Sports Detroit had great camera work with their High Definition video of the pre-game show. The television camera’s highlighted all the color of the Polish-American Night extravaganza.

Most of the electronic media outlets mentioned the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony June 24, in Troy, Michigan which honored former Phillies Manager Danny Ozark. Ozark led the Phillies to NL-East titles in 76, 77 and 78. He was also a longtime coach for the L. A. Dodgers. Past Philadelphia slugger Greg Luzinski presented for the deceased Ozark (2009). Paciorek, the popular and veteran announcer, was the emcee. He was awarded a sports Emmy for his White Sox and Washington National’s baseball broadcasts.

NPASHF Chairman Jim Conrad said, We also inducted “swimming champion Kristy Kowal of Reading, Pennsylvania and Hamtramck, Michigan native and tennis great Peaches Barkowicz.— NPASHF board members manned an informational table near the right field foul corner.

During an after party (poprawiny) at the Coaches Corner Bar & Grill, in Harmonie Park, former University of Buffalo football player Gerry Ratkewitz over piwa (Polish beer), said, —I remember Al Kaline’s only three home run game, it was in 1955 against Kansas City. Steve Gromek was the winning pitcher.— Detroit native son, Gromek, pitched for the Tigers at the time and was inducted into the NPASHF in 1981.

Polish-American Night, the game and festivities, were dedicated to the memory of Poland’s President Lech Kaczynski and First Lady Maria Kaczynska and the 94 others who lost their lives in the tragic airplane crash of April, !0, 2010 in Smolensk, Russia. They were in route to the 70th anniversary memorial of the World War II, Katyn atrocity.

Polish-American Night in Buffalo was held at Coca-Cola Field on August 3rd, when the Bison’s AAA Team took on Lehigh Valley as part of Polish Fest. Polish American nights were also hosted by the Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates, Toledo Mud Hens AAA, Chicago White Sox, and from the first time on August 17th at Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs.

Mr. Rolak reports that Polish Heritage Night at Wrigley benefited the Chicago based Polish American Association.

Prior to the event, Matthew Wszolek, Director of Special Events for the Chicago Cubs stated: —We’re proud to present this as one of our special premium nights at Wrigley Field,— and —With the help of the Pepsi, we hope everyone will enjoy an entertaining night at the ballpark while supporting several community programs in the process. We have some great musical and pregame surprises planned.—

When the Ricketts family bought the Cubs, they had a mission statement of getting more involved with the community. —This is our first heritage night and I expect we will expand the program,— added Wszolek.

Those attending Polish Heritage Night were eligible to receive a special commemorative Cub’s cap embroidered with the Polish flag on its side. The cap was given to each game attendee who contributed $5 to Chicago Cubs Charities when purchasing their ticket.

Chicago Cubs Charities donated 100% of the cap sales to support the Polish-American Association programs.

Larry Flood, Vice President of Chicagoland-Wisconsin Pepsi said. —Pepsi has a great tradition of aligning with the community. We’re happy to partner for such a positive event. This heritage night should welcome many new fans to Wrigley Field and Chicago Cubs baseball.— Pepsi is supplying the embroidered Cub’s hats.

The Polish American Association has been in operation since 1922 helping Chicago’s Polish community. The PAA provides a range of bilingual and cultural programs in the areas of social services, employment, education, and immigration services.

The event also celebrated all the Polish-Americans that excelled in Major League Baseball. Included is Cub’s coach Allan Trammell. He was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. The NPASHF Museum is in Troy, Michigan. Stan Musial was the first inductee in 1973.

Chicago Black Hawk broadcaster, Ed Olczyk sang —Take Me Out to the Ball Game— during the popular Cub’s tradition at the 7th inning stretch. Olczyk was a NPASHF inductee in 2004.

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National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame celebration at Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association meeting

From the Rolco Sports Network: International Polish Sports and Culture Celebrated by Jeff Weiser

DETROIT — It was a spirited and enthusiastic audience. Polish sports and culture was the topic being celebrated. The international achievements of the 2010 inductees of the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame were staggering. The pedigree of accomplishments of Danny Ozark, Kristy Kowal and Jane ‘Peaches’ Bartkowicz was inspiring. They were being honored at the special event at the Hockeytown Café adjacent to Comerica Park.

(L-R) Baseball ambassadors, Greg Luzinski, Raymond Rolak and Tom Paciorek celebrate at the National Polish American Sports Hall of Fame luncheon event to honor the 2010 inductees. Danny Ozark, Kristy Kowal and Peaches Bartkowicz were this years NPASHF inductees. PHOTO CREDIT: courtesy of DSBA
Lively and amusing questions were at the forefront of the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association meeting. It was at this luncheon when the athletic achievement of the 2010 induction class of the NPASHF was highlighted.

Jim Conrad, Chairman of the NPASHF, welcomed the media and talked golf. He said there were still golf packages available for the July 23, outing at the Greystone Golf and Banquet Center in Romeo, Michigan.

Kristy Kowal, of Reading, Pennsylvania was both an NCAA Champion and Olympic Medal winner. Besides her athletic success, Kowal graduated with academic honors from the University of Georgia, School of Education and currently is an elementary teacher in her hometown. She was NCAA Women of the Year in 2000.

Danny Ozark was celebrated not only for leading the Phillies to three straight NL East titles in the 70’s, but also for his famous fractured English. Ozark, who passed away at 85 last year, had been retired and living with his wife Ginny, in Vero Beach, Florida. He had a very long career in professional baseball, starting with the Dodgers.

Junior tennis sensation, ‘Peaches’ Bartkowicz, was noted for all her International Championships including the 1964 Women’s Jr. Wimbledon title and three medals at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics (demonstration sport). In 1970, along with Billy Jean King, they partnered to win the doubles in the Wightman Cup championship. They also were some of the pioneers to elevate the women’s professional tour. She won the Florida Orange Bowl title four years in a row in the 1960’s, and trained in Indian River County.

Kowal was especially pleased to share the day with her parents, Ed and Donna Kowal. Kristy regaled the group with the retelling of how she just missed gold at the 2004 Olympics in Sydney by a touch. Also, she kept everyone smiling as she retold of her mothers efforts (Donna) on making the best stuffed cabbage east of Philadelphia. She also reminisced how her teammate, Amanda Atkins, used to push her to excel at practice.

Former White Sox broadcaster Tom Paciorek kept the audience lively with baseball tales and stories of dugout snacks, both prudent and clandestine. Paciorek exclaimed boldly, —I am 1,000 % Polish and proud of it.— He told the humorous story of his ill-fated, one day summer vacation job at the famed Hamtramck Kowalski Sausage Company and Polka concerts by the Jimmy Sturr Orchestra.

Paciorek remembered fondly how Ozark helped him master the art of playing first base in his early major league days with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Greg ‘Bull’ Luzinski shared his best ‘Wimpy’ Paciorek stories with anecdotes about voracious hamburger eating episodes. Luzinski gave a running account of where the best burgers could be found in Chicago near old Comiskey Park and in Polish-Town on Milwaukee Avenue. Paciorek countered by gushing about the wonders of a Connies Chicago Pizza.

The conversation always got back to Ozark chronicles. Center stage became brighter as Luzinski reveled in the humanistic coaching techniques that Danny Ozark employed in the big leagues. —The Phillies would not have had the great 70’s teams if it wasn’t for Danny Ozark,— said Luzinski. —We had some great horsepower but it was Skip (Ozark), who kept the personalities together.—

Paciorek amused the group with Tiger Stadium stories also. He started the narrative of how former DSBA member and Detroit Tiger broadcaster Larry Osterman got knocked out. It was while announcing the game on television; Osterman got flattened after being struck in the forehead with a foul ball. Bill Freehan was his broadcast partner and it was his first game. Freehan was overcome with so much air time to fill with the accident, he never did another broadcast. Paciorek added with a smile, —The booth behind home plate didn’t have a screen. Ernie Harwell always said those games should have come with combat pay. You could get shell shocked in there from all the serious foul balls.—

He also told of how he lost out to the Bull for being able to use —Beer Barrel Polka— as his theme from the organist at Comiskey Park. —Look at the size of his neck,— said Paciorek. GEEZE (long pause and pointing to Luzinski), who is ever going to argue with the Bull? Look at that neck,— he again emphasized smiling.

Ken Kal, and Raymond Rolak kept the roundtable luncheon spirited with hockey stories and their baseball memories of old Tiger Stadium.

Kal, the radio voice of the Detroit Red Wings, told of the saga of George Eichorn being the producer for the unique radio presentations of Detroit sports-talk host, Ron Cameron. —I only did it for a year,— said Eichorn with a wink. —I got to talk to Howard Cosell, what an issue that was,— he added. Cameron was also known for his Florida restaurants with Dick Vitale. Eichorn received a testimonial plaque from the NPASHF.

At the back table, Rolak spoke on how Stan Musial could keep a crowd entertained and awed with his harmonica concerts. —People forget that Stan was the General Manager for the 1967 World Series winning St. Louis Cardinals,— said Rolak. Musial was the first inductee into the NPASHF in 1973.

Boxing referee Frank Garza presented to Conrad, a poster from a championship fight in Poland to be displayed at the NPASHF Museum, located in Troy, Michigan.

Kowal, donated her U.S. Olympic cap and USA swimsuit from her last World Championship competition also for the NPASHF Museum.

At the induction banquet she was honored to be presented into the Hall of Fame from her University of Georgia swimming coach, Jack Bauerle. Bauerle was also the U.S. Olympic coach at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Bauerle, who is passionate about telling the story of Kristy’s success, said emphatically, —She is the best of the best.—

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