Posted on 04/09/2003 3:18:40 PM PDT by RetiredArmy
Baseball Hall of Fame Cancelled Tribute - Robbins, Sarandon cited by Hall of Fame
ESPN.com news services, Wednesday, April 9, 2003
Plans to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the popular baseball movie Bull Durham later this month in Cooperstown, N.Y. were cancelled Wednesday because of anti-war criticisms made by two of the film's co-stars.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum issued a release saying the recent views expressed by Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon "ultimately could put our troops in even more danger."
The event, scheduled for April 26-27, had been planned many months ago, according to Hall of Fame president Dale Petroskey.
The statement reads:
"The President of the United States, as this nation's democratically-elected leader, is constitutionally bound to make decisions he believes are in the best interests of the American people. After months of careful deliberations, President Bush made the decision that it is in our nation's best interests to end the brutal regime of Saddam Hussein, and to disarm Iraq of deadly weapons which could be used against its enemies, including the United States. In order to accomplish this, nearly 300,000 American military personnel are in harm's way at the moment. From the first day we opened our doors in 1939, The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum -- and many players and executives in Baseball's family -- has honored the United States and those who defend our freedoms.
"In a free country such as ours, every American has the right to his or her own opinions, and to express them. Public figures, such as you, have platforms much larger than the average American's, which provides you an extraordinary opportunity to have your views heard -- and an equally large obligation to act and speak responsibly. We believe your very public criticism of President Bush at this important -- and sensitive -- time in our nation's history helps undermine the U.S. position, which ultimately could put our troops in even more danger. As an institution, we stand behind our President and our troops in this conflict.
"As a result, we have decided to cancel the April 26-27 programs in Cooperstown commemorating the 15th anniversary of Bull Durham."
Petroskey said a copy of the statement was sent to Sarandon and Robbins. It is not known if they have seen or responded to the decision.
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"Peace is the prerogative of the victorious, not the vanquished."--Winston Churchill
"Relax alright don't try to strike everyone out. Strikeouts are boring besides that they're fascist. Throw some ground balls it's more democratic."
"Come on, [Susan Sarandon], think of something clever to say, huh? Something full of magic, religion, bullsh**. Come on, dazzle me."
I love that episode where George gets the job by doing the opposite of what he woudl usually do. His diatribe at Steinbrenner is precious to any Yankee fan.
Bull Durham
Disappointing baseball movie, but enjoyable nonetheless. Humorous at times and 'cute' but with a weak central premise: Kevin Costner as a veteran minor league catcher for a fireballing young prospect, Susan Sarandon as a local who sleeps with one minor leaguer a year. Costner is not exactly a believable catcher, and the sex obsession of the movie is geared toward 30- to 50-year-olds (not that there's anything wrong with that). Still, the baseball parts of the movie are priceless.Still Pretty Dang Good. Shout out to North Carolina -- the movie features the Durham (NC) Bulls minor league team.
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