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'Bull Durham' event back on: Anti-war activists Robbins, Sarandon invited to re-create anniversary
WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Wednesday, April 16, 2003 | By Joe Kovacs

Posted on 04/15/2003 9:56:38 PM PDT by JohnHuang2

The 15th anniversary celebration of the baseball flick "Bull Durham" appears to be warming up in the bullpen after all, despite its cancellation by the Baseball Hall of Fame.


Kevin Costner, Tim Robbins in 'Bull Durham' (MGM photo)

Sportscaster Bob Costas says officials were wrong to nix the upcoming event in the wake of anti-war statements by Hollywood stars Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon, and he's looking to stage the event on his own cable TV program.

Costas says he's invited the stars of the film to appear on HBO's "On The Record" "not to talk about the controversy, but re-create what they would have done up in Cooperstown."

A national debate erupted last week when Dale Petroskey, president of the Hall of Fame, sent war opponent Robbins a letter canceling the festivities slated for later this month:

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 further explained his reasoning in a statement posted at the Hall's website:

"Given the track record of Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon, and the timing – with our troops committed in Iraq – a strong possibility existed that they could have used The Hall of Fame as a backdrop for their views."


Costas: Baseball wrong to cancel 'Bull Durham' event

"[Petroskey] might have been less afraid if it was someone who was politically inclined who was more in agreement with his own views," Costas said on NBC's Tonight Show with Jay Leno last night.

"If he was concerned, he could have written to them or called them and said 'Let's make sure this is just about baseball and just about "Bull Durham" and let's not have any controversy,' and I'm pretty sure they would have respected that, but he took the wrong tack."

After receiving some 5,000 calls on both sides of the issue, Petroskey says in hindsight, he would have handled the issue differently, likely phoning Robbins to discuss the matter before canceling the celebration.

Meanwhile, sportswriters across America are putting the uproar into extra innings with their color commentary.

"In the end, baseball looks doofish, which is nothing new for baseball," writes Sports Illustrated columnist John Donovan. "Contraction, labor strife, steroids, quarter-billion dollar contracts, the Yankees, $7 hot dogs, 22 'home' games for the Montreal Expos in Puerto Rico, U.S. Cellular Field, the All-Star Game tie, Barry Bonds' moodiness ...

"The league-pushed concept of competitive imbalance, expansion, relocation, taxpayer-funded stadiums, skinflint owners, possible collusion, the players' union, cheap home runs, too many strikeouts, the Rangers' pitching ... sometimes, you wonder if the folks in baseball can get anything right. Just one thing. Once."


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: susansarandon; timrobbins
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To: shhrubbery!
Hey folks, I think the "Rookie", is one of the best baseball movies in this time frame we live in today. Plus it was a true story!
41 posted on 04/16/2003 6:16:55 AM PDT by DocJ69
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To: Hatteras
I agree with you on "The Sandlot." It really captures the love of baseball that boys can have--that I had at that age, at around the same time as the movie's setting (early-mid '60s)--a love of the game that I no longer see as many boys have but which baseball really needs to regain.

Another good movie that captures the love of baseball is "The Rookie."


42 posted on 04/16/2003 6:17:41 AM PDT by Charles Henrickson (Either would be a better choice than "Bull Durham.")
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To: JohnHuang2
Damn!
I wish I watched baseball or even read anything about it so I could quit!
43 posted on 04/16/2003 6:18:43 AM PDT by Publius6961 (p>)
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To: JohnHuang2
"If he was concerned, he could have written to them or called them and said 'Let's make sure this is just about baseball and just about "Bull Durham" and let's not have any controversy,' and I'm pretty sure they would have respected that, but he took the wrong tack."

What a crock! Their history has shown them to be loose cannons who'll do whatever they want when given the public podium. Just ask the folks at the Oscars.

44 posted on 04/16/2003 6:19:00 AM PDT by rintense (Freedom is contagious. And everyone wants to catch it.)
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To: DocJ69
Hey folks, I think the "Rookie" is one of the best baseball movies in this time frame we live in today. Plus it was a true story!

Hey, Doc, you beat me to it by one minute! See my post 42.

45 posted on 04/16/2003 6:19:38 AM PDT by Charles Henrickson
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To: Deb; JohnHuang2
I say, let the fans decide!!!

I have. I gave up on ML baseball after the last threat of a strike.

I'll stick with my kid's team and maybe the local farm team. Otherwise I just don't care.

46 posted on 04/16/2003 6:21:53 AM PDT by Corin Stormhands (HHD, FRM, RFA)
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To: Support Free Republic
Bob Costas is exposing himself for the worthless rat he is!
47 posted on 04/16/2003 6:24:09 AM PDT by ohioman
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To: Cultural Jihad
Anti-Americans pretending to be All-Americans

I've heard that Costner is a republican.

48 posted on 04/16/2003 6:25:11 AM PDT by asformeandformyhouse
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To: Tijeras_Slim
I was looking at it from the perspective of people who get paid hundreads of thousands (Sarandon) or dozens of millions (J-Lo) to do "make believe" in front of a camera. When you have to support an excessive lifestyle and are a has-been starlet, 60K comes in handy.

I suspect that even Hillary is running short these days, considering that most of her book deal only comes through if she actually writes a book.

It's nice to know that these hustlers do have to pay taxes.

49 posted on 04/16/2003 6:37:02 AM PDT by Mamzelle
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To: Corin Stormhands
I was a Yankee Fan for 30 years, I have not watched a game in many moons. Baseball can drop dead. There is no team to root for, they change every year so what are you rooting for? The Logo?

Bull Durham, when was this a good movie? Groupie bangs washed up player and brings him back? I am lost here.... Kevin Costner is a LOSER big time. He left his family around the Waterworld days and was quoted as saying that is was now "His Time". I think that is the definition of a jerk. His work speaks for itself. Woof Woof

50 posted on 04/16/2003 6:38:30 AM PDT by Afronaut
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To: Afronaut
I was a Braves fan. Our local R-Braves are a farm team for Atlanta. But I finally had my fill of Ted Turner.

I went in search of another team, but then thought "why bother?"

51 posted on 04/16/2003 6:40:48 AM PDT by Corin Stormhands (HHD, FRM, RFA)
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To: kcvl
thanks for the link, here is my shot over the bow ; )

"Any celebrity who uses their professional access to media outlets in order to voice their personal opinions on anything, would be foolhardy to not understand that someone "out there" may disagree with their opinion! It is our right to voice our opinions with our wallets, online, or with a letter on an editorial page, since we cannot voice our opinions on the national or the worldwide stage! Mr. Robbins, and some others, do not seem to understand that yes, they are free to voice their opinions, but we are equally free to voice our opinions of their opinions ; )
Given the times we are living in, it is hard to fathom that there are some who cannot understand that freedom comes with risk and responsibility. You may speak on the strength of your convictions, but be prepared to be answered, because this is America, and we will tell you what we think."
52 posted on 04/16/2003 7:54:45 AM PDT by thesearethetimes...
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To: My2Cents
Robbins just bashed Bush and the War on CSPAN. Would he and Susan Sag refrained from doing so at the baseball affair? Are you kidding? They spew leftist tripe at every event. And I'll never buy another Sports Illustrated now that they have gone left too.
53 posted on 04/16/2003 9:05:37 AM PDT by Paulus Invictus (ax accountant)
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To: JohnHuang2
Costas says he's invited the stars of the film to appear on HBO's "On The Record" "not to talk about the controversy, but re-create what they would have done up in Cooperstown."

And what they would have done up in Cooperstown was to protest the war. They are lucky they will not have a live audience.

54 posted on 04/16/2003 9:12:52 AM PDT by MissBaby
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To: Charles Henrickson
I loved Field of Dreams and Angels in the Outfield (even though I think it was a Disney film)
55 posted on 04/16/2003 9:16:26 AM PDT by pnz1
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To: kimosabe31
I would send an e-mail of support if I knew his e-mail address. Do you know it?
56 posted on 04/16/2003 9:23:26 AM PDT by rimtop56
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To: rimtop56
Try the link in post #13. It goes to HBO and worked for me.
57 posted on 04/16/2003 9:28:31 AM PDT by thesearethetimes...
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To: Petronski
Right.
58 posted on 04/16/2003 9:31:05 AM PDT by Howlin
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To: exit82
"Bull Durham" was not a terrific movie.

I'll second that...a much better movie to honor would be "Bang the Drum Slowly", my all-time fave baseball movie.
59 posted on 04/16/2003 9:35:42 AM PDT by GodBlessRonaldReagan (where is Count Petofi when we need him most?)
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To: rimtop56
oops! Sorry, I read too fast! There is a link to Mr. Petroskey at the Hall of Fame within the original posted article! I used it too ; )
60 posted on 04/16/2003 9:42:25 AM PDT by thesearethetimes...
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