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Baseball Hall of Fame Cancelled "Bull Durham" Tribute, Cite Robins and Sarandon
ESPN.com ^
| April 9, 2003
| ESPN News
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.
TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; US: New York
KEYWORDS: antiwar; cooperstown; halloffame; iraq; onthehomefront; robins; sarandon; susansarandon; timrobbins; war
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To: RetiredArmy
bumping to send to a basefall fan friend of mine! :)
too funny! :)
To: RetiredArmy
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Payback!!!!!!!!
42
posted on
04/09/2003 4:07:36 PM PDT
by
SAMWolf
("This is supposed to be the Super Bowl isn't it? Where's the other team? US Marine in Baghdad.)
To: Windcatcher
If you want comedy, sure.
But give me The Natural or The Pride of the Yankees any day of the week and twice on Sundays.
43
posted on
04/09/2003 4:08:04 PM PDT
by
William McKinley
(You're so vain, you probably think this tagline's about you)
To: RetiredArmy
44
posted on
04/09/2003 4:08:06 PM PDT
by
TLBSHOW
Comment #45 Removed by Moderator
To: MistyCA; AntiJen; Victoria Delsoul; SassyMom; bentfeather; GatorGirl; radu; souris; SpookBrat; ...
Payback Ping
46
posted on
04/09/2003 4:08:57 PM PDT
by
SAMWolf
("This is supposed to be the Super Bowl isn't it? Where's the other team? US Marine in Baghdad.)
To: Scott from the Left Coast
Selig couldn't have had anything to do with this, could he?
47
posted on
04/09/2003 4:09:18 PM PDT
by
William McKinley
(You're so vain, you probably think this tagline's about you)
To: RetiredArmy
GREAT!!! Keep Cooperstown clean!! The people at The Hall were very good to me 10 years ago when I was doing some research for a baseball article -- now they have risen even more in my eyes. God Bless baseball, our troops, and our Prez. We are on a roll today!!!!
48
posted on
04/09/2003 4:10:03 PM PDT
by
speedy
To: SAMWolf
the rats are already slamming the Hall and right on the web site next to this story at espn...
http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2003/0409/1536711.html Wed., April 9
This morning, I watched a documentary about the Smothers Brothers' fights with CBS censors in the late 1960s.
This afternoon, I learned that Dale Petroskey won't allow the hallowed Hall to be sullied by the (possible) presence of political dissent.
And I'm saddened to learn just how far we haven't come in 35 years.
But you know, what the Hall of Fame is doing isn't even censorship, really. It's a sort of pre-censorship, in which Petroskey and the Hall's trustees are saying, "Tim and Susan, we don't have any idea what you're going to say. We don't even know if you'll say anything, seeing as how this was supposed to be a celebration of a great film, and not a political event. But just in case you were thinking about saying something, we don't want you here."
The funniest thing about Petroskey's simple-minded idiocy -- if you like black humor -- is that Tim Robbins' and Susan Sarandon's views will get more publicity now, than if they'd simply been allowed to show up and talk about a movie.
Let freedom ring.
49
posted on
04/09/2003 4:10:51 PM PDT
by
TLBSHOW
To: JohnnyZ
"The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom...William Blake"
Apparently not....
To: RetiredArmy
Fantastic! This can't be HILLARY Country!!!!!
FABULOUS!!!
Sock it to 'em Copperstown!!!
To: Vets_Husband_and_Wife
It is beautiful and I'm glad I didn't miss it.
I feel quite empowered lately. These rich, pampered snobs are getting the the cold-shoulder that they deserve.
52
posted on
04/09/2003 4:13:25 PM PDT
by
tiki
To: Wondervixen
I have to disagree. "A League of Their Own" had no "commiecrap" in it at all. The story line was great and the baseball scenes realistic.
Take it from one who knows....I played professionally in the Womens' All-American League on which the movie was based.
(first base!)
Leni
53
posted on
04/09/2003 4:20:50 PM PDT
by
MinuteGal
(THIS JUST IN ! Astonishing fare reduction for FReeps Ahoy Cruise! Check it out, pronto!)
To: Vets_Husband_and_Wife
"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."I love it. Way to go Cooperstown!
54
posted on
04/09/2003 4:22:00 PM PDT
by
deadhead
(God Bless Our Troops and Veterans)
To: Vets_Husband_and_Wife; SAMWolf
As an institution, we stand behind our President and our troops in this conflict. Oh my! This is wonderful! Thanks so much for the ping.
To: Windcatcher
"We shoudda bought a live chicken."
56
posted on
04/09/2003 4:32:40 PM PDT
by
Howlin
(It's a great day to be an American -- or an Iraqi!)
To: RetiredArmy
I am happy about this for a number of reasons, but the main one is that undoubtedly Sarandon and Robbins demanded fees to appear ($20k for Sarandon to speak to the United Way? Give me a break) and no doubt first-class travel and accomodations. Now they won't get a penny. Hooray for baseball!
Comment #58 Removed by Moderator
To: Cicero
Re Bull Durham -- I hated that movie when it was new and I'd hate it even more now ---- SO GLAD Hall of Fame canceled the "tribute."
To: amused
"Assistant to the Traveling Secretary of the New York Yankees, George Castanza:
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."
FYI I recently found out after becoming hooked on "Curb Your Enthusiasm" that Larry David is the voice of Steinbrenner in all the episodes. Now whenever I see a George/Yankees/Steinbrenner episode, it's funnier to me.
Just thought you'd like to know, since you're a fellow Seinfeld-er!
60
posted on
04/09/2003 4:36:14 PM PDT
by
rocky88
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