50 Greatest Westerns
The Internet offers several such lists. The following are my personal choices. Top 10 noted.
310 to Yuma (Heflin)
A Fistful of Dollars
Ballad of Cable Hogue
Bend of the River
Big Jake
Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid (7)
Cheyenne Autumn
For a Few Dollars More
Fort Apache (Fonda and Wayne) (6)
Good Bad and Ugly
Gunfight at the OK Corral
Gunfighter (Peck)
Hang ‘em High
High Noon (5)
How the West was Won (8)
Jeremiah Johnson
Lonesome Dove (Part One) (9)
Long Riders
Magnificent Seven (10)
Major Dundee
McCabe and Mrs Miller
My Darling Clementine
Nevada Smith
Once Upon A Time in the West
Open Range
Outlaw Josey Wales
Ox-Bow Incident
Pale Rider
Quick and the Dead
Red River (1)
Tombstone (2)
Rio Bravo
Searchers
Shane
Shootist
Silverado
Stagecoach (Wayne) (3)
Streets of Laredo
The Alamo (Wayne)
The Cowboys
The Professionals
True Grit
Two Rode Together
Unforgiven (4)
Warlock
Who Shot Liberty Valance
Wild Bunch
Will Penny
Winchester 73
Wyatt Earp (Costner)
Obviously, other memorable films could be added, and appear in film critics’ lists, like:
The Mountain Men
Man from Laramie
The Virginian
Blood on the Moon
Eldorado
War Wagon
Son of the Morning Star
High Plains Drifter
Johnny Guitar
Treasure of Sierra Madre
Yellow Sky
Quigley Down Under
Hombre
The Outlaw
The Westerner
Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
Hour of the Gun
The Undefeated
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
Rio Grande
Ride the High Country
Purists might argue that Treasure of Sierra Madre , Hud and Giant are not really Westerns, just filmed in the West.
There is even a list of comical Westerns like:
Cat Ballou
Maverick
Blazing Saddles
The Pale Face
Support Your Local Sheriff
There are critics lists which include all of Clint Eastwood’s “spaghetti” Westerns.
Readers may note a paucity of Erroll Flynn movies – like They Died with Their Boots On, Abilene, Santa Fe Trail, Dodge City, Dallas, etc. Flynn hammed every movie of every genre; the closest he came to a real person was The Sun Also Rises, where he played a drunk. You won’t find Randolph Scott on this list; his dozens of Westerns only included one real gem, Ride the High Country, with Joel McRea.
You also won’t find Tyrone Power’s version of Jesse James. Poor Jesse; he has been badly portrayed in many films; The Long Riders probably comes closer to the truth. But you will find such stalwarts of the British stage as Sean Connery, Richard Harris, and Stewart Grainger. Dreadful accents.
Many Producers loosen the cinch straps of truth in Westerns. Red River is considered one of the top 100 films of all time. But the weapons for this presumed 1865 cattle drive were not manufactured until the 1870s. (Critics have debated for years whether Cherry Valance died.)
Wyatt Earp fares as badly in the fact versus fiction market as Jesse James. Tombstone and Wyatt Earp ring true with many historians. OK Corral has a stable full of errors; only three men died, the two McLowries and Billy Clanton. OK Corral has 7 including Ike Clanton who died years later in a holdup. My Darling Clementine is honored for Henry Fonda’s star turn, but Doc Holliday died in a Colorado sanitorium, and only 3 men were killed – but did not include Old Man Clanton or Billy who died before and after the gunfight in the corral. Doc was 35 when he died; Jason Robards was miscast in Hour. As bad as Will Geer playing the lawman Earp in Winchester 73. James Earp is killed in two versions but survives in another.
Few historical characters are as mistreated by Hollywood as William Bonney aka Billy the Kid. About 20 when he died, he has been played by a middle-aged Robert Taylor, Paul Newman, Emilio Estevez, Jack Beutel, not remotely akin to Billy in size. Chisum stays close to the facts of the war in New Mexico.
It seems every character actor portrayed an Indian, prominently like Anthony Quinn and Iron Eyes Cody. But the incredible list also includes Rock Hudson, Chuck O’Connors, Mike Mazurki, Charles Bronson, Lex Barker, Ray Danton, etc.
Western movies (and later TV Westerns) gave many actors their critical break. Magnificent Seven boosted the careers f Steve McQueen, James Colburn, Charles Bronson and Robert Vaughn.
But, they also sustained the careers of many actors who appeared in film after film, like Ward Bond, Harry Carey Jr, Bruce Cabot and especially Paul Fix. Ward Bond played in Westerns, war dramas even Irish comedies like The Quiet Man, often alongside the Duke, but he got his big break in 1939, Gone with the Wind. Another GWTW veteran, Thomas Mitchell, also appeared with Wayne in Stagecoach. Ben Johnson starred in many Westerns, but won his Oscar for Last Picture Show. Robert Duval and Clint Costner continue to receive critical acclaim in Westerns (and other media). Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin did Four for Texas; both also appeared in later Westerns. Martin even did a stint as a bad guy in Rough Night in Jericho. Fonda also showed a mean side in two Westerns. Ernest Borgnine, Jimmy Cagney, Edward G Robinson, Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, Broderick Crawford, Walter Pidgeon, Gene Hackman and other Oscar winners followed the sagebrush trail.
I enjoy identifying character actors who appeared in many films and on many TV shows. Millard Mitchell, Charle Bronson, Jim Davis, John McIntyre, Noah Beery Jr., Walter Brennan, John Ireland, Warren Oates, Jack Palance, etc., were regulars. Tony Curtis cut his acting chops in Winchester.
In 1957, 7 of the top 10 TV shows were Westerns. TV Westerns were a launching pad for many stars, including Eastwood, Redford, Bronson, Connors, Burt Reynolds, McQueen, James Garner and many others. More, name stars like Bette Davis, Barbara Stanwyck, Joan Crawford, Rhonda Fleming, Arlene Dahl, Susan Hayward,Jane Fonda and Angie Dickinson appeared in “oaters.” The distinguished actor Lee J Cobb was the Shiloh patriarch in The Virginian. That show, along with Bonanza, High Chapparal, and Big Valley featured name guest stars each week. The lists are virtually endless.
One of Tinseltown’s most beautiful actresses, Dolores Hart, often compared to Grace Kelly, closed out her too-brief career in The Virginian. Still a member of the Motion Picture Academy, Mother Superior Dolores is prioress of a convent in Connecticut.
Few Westerns are made these days. AMC and TMC occasionally one of the top Westerns. Starz has a channel which features Westerns 24/7. Mixed bag. For every John Wayne, you have days devoted to Lash LaRue, Eddie Dean, the Durango Kid, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Don Red Barry, William Elliott and others who were the staples of Saturday afternoon at the movies.
I miss the days when a quarter got you a ticket, a coke and popcorn were 15 cents. You saw a serial, a Western, and then a feature film. Much to Mother’s consternation, she would send our father to the movies to bring the three of us home; sometimes, he would show u p with a bag of hamburgers and watch the feature with us.
LEAKS PRO AND CON
November 22 News Flash
The defence team for WikiLeaks suspect Bradley Manning is planning to call 50 witnesses at next month’s military hearing, promising to turn the proceedings into a detailed legal battle over the merits of the prosecution case against him.
The Bradley Manning support network, a group of sympathisers of the US soldier that has paid for the bulk of his legal fees so far, revealed that attorneys are preparing to launch a vigorous defence at the pre-trial hearing scheduled to take place at Ford Meade in Maryland on 16 December. Many legal angles will be pursued, with witnesses ranging from experts on whistle blowing to IT specialists who can comment on technical details relating to Manning’s access to intelligence databases.
The strategy is unusual for such pre-trial hearings, known in the army as Article 32 proceedings. It is common at this stage for defence teams to limit their engagement to a minimum, in order to withhold from the prosecution elements of their approach that could be crucial in any eventual trial.
The Issue
WikiLeaks is an international self-described not-for-profit organisation that publishes submissions alleging corporate and government misconduct. Wikileaks publishes submissions of private, secret, and classified media from anonymous news sources, news leaks, and whistleblowers. Its website, launched in 2006, has distributed thousands of documents related to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, and most recently, unredacted State Department cables.
The question is: who decides what alleged misconduct or other information should be reported. In one sense, founder Julian Assange and his staff make such decisions. In reality, the decisions are made by the seemingly endless chain of sources who, in anger, or a fit of retribution, or a self-sensed righteous obligation, elect to share secret or closely-held information. The disclosures go far beyond corporate or government misconduct, but strike at the very heart of the policy-making process, including guidance cables which are fundamental to the execution of foreign policy at embassies around the world.
Does the public have a right to know about outrageous cost over-runs on defense and other publicly funded programs? Surely. Is the public entitled to peel away the layers of secrecy shrouding a major cover-up like Watergate? Certainly.
But, the public does not need to know all the details of military and corporate strategy. That’s a key phrase – the right to know. The expectation is that this concept will be intensely debated by both sides during the forthcoming trial.
The issue of right to know has boundaries which far exceed government malfeasance. In today’s wired world, a seemingly infinite number of people go viral with information, much of it rumor, speculation, or gossip, much of it inherently private –and often negligently harmful to individuals and companies.
Frankly, Facebook causes me concern. Admittedly, after nearly 30 years as a keeper of the secrets, I remain an essentially private person who will carry some secrets to the grave. So, when I sent an author a memo critiquing a recent book, I was stunned to read Facebook memos harshly criticizing me, some very personal comments by people who have never met me, or read my writings.
I would caution every would-be poster: Is there a crime or misdeed. Will the information correct a wrong, illuminate a finding, or merely cause intended harm and embarrassment. And, not least, does the Internet public have a right to know, or, more stringently and narrowly, a need to know?
The outliers
A would-be bomber was recruited to assassinate a head-of-state. The plot was foiled; that person is reportedly so deep in an island prison they have to shoot air to him through a cannon. While there was once a short list of personages believed to be beyond risk of assassination, that myth was shattered by the shooting of the Pope. Still, a foreign government did not want a public discussion of vulnerability, which might entice other mentally-twisted persons to make an attempt. There are no records.
As chief of financial intelligence, I wrote a paper on how to launder $100 million in five days, without being caught. After I finished patting myself on the back, the Deputy Secretary of State ordered that the original be classified Top Secret and all copies destroyed. His decision was correct; that guide in the wrong hands could be used by money launderers in the drug and weapons trades, as well as by terrorist organizations. I was asked by some officials in government to craft a plan for laundering money in a friendly country, in violation of its laws, to support certain informant actions. Sadly, I learned that the link I helped create had been abused, with the connivance of people in my own government. With the help of a foreign intelligence source with whom I was friendly, the link was broken.
The warning implicit in the Deputy Secretary’s decision served as a guide in a later situation. I briefed the leading bankers of a Central American country on the step-by-step procedures being used by drug traffickers to launder money through real estate transactions. The alarms went off when one of the bankers asked me to repeat the fourth step.
To be sure, not all indications of criminal actions should be made public – unless the alleged infraction can be proven. I received a cable from the US ambassador to an African country, asking if I knew why four Europeans were engaging in questionable transactions in that country. He had no proof, but was acting on a rumor shared by the European ambassador to that same country. Nothing in my copious files, but I routinely asked my aide to ask the CIA and DEA if they had any information. When that inquiry crossed a certain CIA desk, the proper response would have been to say no information; instead, because I chaired two international groups which yielded information outside US channels, the CIA sent an inquiry to its intelligence counterpart in Europe. The CIA wanted to know “what is Rayburn onto?” The European intelligence service, not wanting to admit it knew nothing, asked its foreign ministry if it was aware that I was conducting an intelligence probe in that African country. The foreign ministry, not wanting to admit a lack of knowledge, cabled its ambassador, who promptly strode into the US Embassy alleging I was conducting a probe of their foreign nationals – which spurred the US ambassador to rake me over the coals for having denied any knowledge of their activity. When the furor died down, we learned that the four Europeans were trying to sell some trucks but bribes were demanded, which they tried to circumvent. This is a very prime example of a circular argument.
I don’t read Bob Woodward’s books beyond the original Watergate tome. Woodward is famous (or infamous) for taking second-hand reports of conversations and weaving them into supposed fact – often to the detriment of someone he has targeted. Fortunately, he did not learn about a hypothetical situation which involved a chance remark. During a situation room discussion of what actions could be taken, if any, to persuade two neighboring countries to cooperate on a policy issue – with us and between themselves, despite their historic antagonism. An admiral turned to ask me what was the most out-of-the-box suggestion to consider. Jokingly, I said we should take some 500 pound cluster bombs, paint the national markings of each country on the bombs, then drop them stealthily on each opposing country. People laughed, but as we exited the room, a bird colonel whispered to me that the Air Force had a surplus of cluster bombs. Thought nothing of it until two weeks later, when an assistant secretary of state was at the Pentagon where a military official informed him (jokingly I hope) that certain Pentagon officials liked my solution. Obviously, it never was given serious contemplation, but it is the kind of dialogue which Woodward would convert into a declaration that the US considered forcing two countries to go to war.
Readers might be surprised to learn that the right-to-know principle is applied within the State Department, and, often to our detriment, with sister agencies. As Congressional hearings on the effectiveness of the office of the director of national intelligence have confirmed, there are abundant examples of withholding information – and the principal violators are State, Justice, FBI and the CIA. At root with Justice is the concern that intelligence-generated information cannot be made public in court; at root with all of them is the fear that informants will be named. State and CIA zealously protect sources and methods, sometimes from each other.
Sometimes with good cause. I knew of money laundering investigations in one country in which multiple US agencies were unknowingly using –and being played by – the same source. I brought them together and informed them of their vulnerability. Did they appreciate my exposing their mutual vulnerability, even behind closed doors. No, they were incensed by their embarrassment.
That does not construe to mean that all State officials could be trusted. One director of a country team somehow learned that US agencies were investigating one or more banks in a country within his orbit. I refused to tell him, citing need to know. An order came down from an Under Secretary: brief him. The official, who had served in that country, promptly went there and told the president of a bank that his institution was suspected of money laundering – and blew open an investigation which was targeted on that bank president. The State official said he thought he was helping a friend.
A top State official was incensed that he was being pilloried in private by leading officials of another government. When next they were in Washington, he embarrassed them by citing several statements they had made. Worse, they instantly knew we had a satellite listening device over their country. Not his first or last gaffe, but the system protected him.
The worst leaker of secrets in Washington is the Congress. I was astounded at a House hearing when a Member of Congress disclosed the identity of an undercover agent. I have an NBC clip which shows me leaving the hearing after refusing to testify and locking my briefcase. The Department was scolded by an ambassador from a major European ally, incensed by a Time magazine story alleging that the US was intercepting microwave transmissions between major European banks, the data shared between selected CIA and State officials. A CIA official had told a Senate committee about the intercepts; the Senate staffer told Time; everybody was trying to impress others that they were in the know. Very few people in State read those intercepts, but a European ambassador was told I was among them. When Senator Kerry was making headlines with his investigation of BCCI, he had an aide testify that a secret arrangement had been made with China to safe harbor certain funds in Hong Kong. I could not testify because I could not publicly disclose certain secrets, but I talked to Kerry in a hallway to tell him his staffer made up the story. He asked how I knew the details of a meeting between the Bank of China and the Hong Kong governor; I replied I was in the room in Hong Kong. Kerry let the hearing record stand. More recently, a man approached me at the Cathedral City tournament; he claimed that he had seen me among the US officials walking out of the Hall of justice in Nicosia in 1969; I knew his next question was whether the US was guilty of assassinating Archbishop Macharios; (we were not) but I said I would not comment on the matter, not even whether I had ever been in Nicosia.
Over the years, I became obsessive about internal leaks. Years ago, I had a photographer taking infra-red photos of people leaving a certain motel in suburban NYC. As chance would have it, the doors to adjoining rooms opened on the same door pillar. In addition to certain Mafioso, the photos included a well-known politician and the wife of another well-known politician. I knew all the players in this quadrangle. The next day, I went into my friend’s office, and laid on his desk the negatives and the only prints. I told him it stops with me, and hopefully stopped with them. It did. In today’s viral world, two families would have been destroyed. This information I have never divulged.
I learned a lesson about controlled leaks – and readers should bear in mind that what they see as scoops or investigative reporting may in fact be deliberate leaks. My first overseas trip began with a classified briefing by Secretary of State Rogers – so intense was the control of information that we had to sign for our briefing books, then return them. On the way to the airport, I was stunned to hear Marvin Kalb broadcasting a report on the meeting. Every President, every Cabinet official has favorite reporters. And the US will deliberately leak highly classified information; eg, to stop a ranking government official in a country from becoming a source for cocaine, I was asked toprovide proof to a leading newspaper of his purchases of cocaine-making chemicals. The shipments were halted.
I know too well the lapses of others. I was in Buenos Aires to speak on international banking and money laundering controls at the distinguished University of Belgrano. At a dinner with some officials that night, I had just taken my seat when a distinguished looking gentleman – think Ricardo Montalban at middle age – reached over, plucked the card naming my intended dinner companion, and sat down. I offered my hand; he responded, “I know who you are; you sank my ship.” There is a presidential directive concerning such decisions; I was one of several who combined to make that decision. But, their identities are supposedly secret. I knew this man, president of a shipping line, would not tell me how he knew; instead of asking, I informed him we had solid evidence his ships were carrying drugs. By the end of dinner, he was assuring me steps would be taken to prevent crews from smuggling.
I was also exposed, again by my contemporaries, concerning an international financial transaction which was thwarted. The transaction involved an international entrepreneur who had strong ties to certain top-ranking US officials. I became the subject of a letter sent by his attorneys to the Secretary of State. Very serious business; this same entrepreneur used several calculated measures to force the resignation of a British intelligence official. The US response; you didn’t hire him, you can’t fire him.
The point I am trying to make is there are many good reasons why the US government has to operate in secret, and secure both policy and operational information, internally and externally, under the canopy of need to know. Does the general public need to know how certain former KGB officials manipulated the currency markets in Eastern Europe. Or that a rogue intelligent agent tried to launder money in Saudi Arabia. Or that a certain US official had a liking for young boys on his travels to Asia. Or how the possible takeover of an Israeli bank by another bank fronting for ex-KGB officials was aborted.
Or who killed a blonde bombshell and left her naked body on an Appalachian trail. (I think I know; the man whom the police and I think killed her has told people he thinks I suspect him; he’s in prison for another crime.)
Or how the mafia in Corleone Sicily acquired the codes for tested telexes, which major banks use to transfer money internationally; I was party to the dialogues which saved a British bank $300 million dollars on a scam in Singapore. There was no need for public dissemination, not least to prevent others from attempting the same. Or who attempted a gold scam on Britain’s largest bank; they cleverly made a duplicate of the bank’s seal, but they dated the transaction a day before the new seal went into effect, which I confirmed by calling the bank’s head of security, a former British agent.
Often, certain secrets are closely held internally but used to pre-empt action detrimental to US interests by informing trusted foreign officials. I cautioned officials of one country in this hemisphere not to accept an investment by a foreign concern, which I knew was backed by a Russian bank which did not have the funds, but was fronting for an alleged Russian mafiya group. Our ambassador was livid that my action denied this much ballyhooed phony investment. He grudgingly accepted the fact that he was among those misled. Would public disclosure have benefitted anyone? No. Other banks who had been offered the phony bonds were quietly notified.
What compels unauthorized leaks of secrets? Frequently, people seek to expose a wrong, or to promote what they perceive as a public good. But many are obviously seeking to humiliate, or titillate, or they want to avenge a hurt, or promote themselves while denying opportunities to others, and disclosing some item gives them stature
among their audience.
However, iike school children, some people simply cannot keep a secret. Eg, a few years ago, a group of parents assembled on the ridge
overlooking national team tryouts at the Olympic training center in ChulaVista. As the players came up the hill, I noticed one parent was holding a red-colored colume; he approached and asked, “Are you the Rayburn Hesse discussed in this book about the Russian Mafiya?” I said yes, but asked him to keep that information to himself. Naturally, the word spread. He meant no harm; he just couldn’t resist.
Secrets can be used in retaliation. A secret document was planted on my desk while I was in Europe which caused me to lose one type of clearance for two years. Another official wanted my job. A top official asked me for secret documents; he disclosed the information to others outside the department, to their profit. He was “golden” politically, so I took the blame for giving him the documents. I resorted to a series of codes to bury documents in files no one would suspect because certain officials in our government were demanding information they had no obvious reason to know.
The former director of clandestine affairs at CIA was accused of using intelligence to force certain agents out of the company, in his controversial search for a Russian mole. Yet, when James Jesus Angleton was buried at Arlington, virtually every one in US and foreign intelligence was there. If he was so hated and feared, a reporter asked, why this large turnout? A top company official replied, “We wanted to make sure that son of a bitch was really dead.”
I expect a few mourners will voice a similar comment when I depart this mortal coil.
November 11 2011
The War to End All Wars
The usual barrage of war films has filled television screens today – Veterans Day – which for many years was known as Armistice Day – in remembrance of that November 11 when an armistice was signed ending the first World War.
For many years, the American Legion, the organization which was begun by the veterans of the American Expeditionary Force, would distribute artificial red poppies – for many a reminder of the killing field in Flanders immortalized by Joyce Kilmer.
For students of history, the daunting facts are that the peace which had soldiers marching down the Champs Ellysses laid the foundation for the Second World War. Few of the thousands who would march in Veterans Day parades, and clog the cemeteries where little flags honored the fallen – I used to play Taps at those ceremonies – realized that the victories on the battlefield were negated in large part by the Treat of Versailles and other political decisions.
One of the most far-reaching decisions was the remapping of the Middle East, including the creation of Iraq. Behind the screens of Versailles, British Petroleum and France’s national petroleum company claimed control of the oil fields of Mesopotamia, and ensured their access to the oil fields of Saudia Arabia and other Middle Eastern territories.
Ironically, their quest continues unabated. The British and French governments, who were the principal responders in Iraq, now claim that their assistance gives them first rights to exploit Libya’s oil.
The First World War, begun in August 1914, finally moved to a conclusion after the United States entered the war. Much of that was fought in France and Belgium, notably in trenches. Armies would fight for patches of ground the length of football fields, over and over. Generals, far removed for the front lines, would order mass charges; one British general sent 50,000 men to their deaths in the Somme.
There were brief occasions when civility made its way onto the battle field. At Christmas, men of all nations would join in singing Christmas carols. Brief interludes allowed recovery of wounded and the dead, even the chopping of firewood. Resupply was a constant challenge for all armies, even just feeding the combatants.
One of my favorite stories concerns a decision made by General John J “Blackjack” Pershing. One a trip to the front, Pershing was confronted by a young corporal – a soldier did not address a general officer then or now without permission, and to do so could lead to a court martial. Food was served for one American unit at a central point, and every soldier would fall into line, all along the miles of trenches, and those at the end might wait two or three hours to reach the front of the line – and, if there was any food left, it was cold. This soldier bravely suggested that food should be served at several points, and men should be fed in small units, thus ensuring hot meals and shorter down-time. Pershing agreed.
The brash young soldier was Corporal Francis X. Hesse.
ASA HALL OF FAME PRECEDENT
SPY NOTE: ASA inducted its 2011 Hall of Fame honorees at its Council meeting last weekend – but, for the travel ball community, the major development was that, after years of urgent appeals, ASA will finally honor travel ball when it inducts former Gordon Panthers coach Larry Mays into its 2012 class. Spy knows that substantial credit for this long-overdue recognition belongs to Phil Guttierez, who will become ASA president. Spy was among the many in softball who wrote letters of support for Mays which Gutierrez included in the nomination package. Given his national championships, the excellent players he trained, many of them Olympians and All-Americans, including several who became D1 coaches, and the personal and professional integrity he brought to the sport, Larry truly deserved to be the first to attain this honor. Congratulations, old friend.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2011
ASA inducts 10 of its greatest into National Softball Hall of Fame; 2012 Class announced
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Ten individuals received softball’s highest honor on Wednesday evening as the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America inducted ten members to the National Softball Hall of Fame at the 31st Annual celebration in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
A night full of memories and emotions, the 2011 class consisted of Lori Harrigan (Fast Pitch Player), Julie Johnson (Umpire), Brian Martie (Fast Pitch Player), Rod Peterson (Manager), Lewis Secory (Sponsor), Gary Tharaldson (Sponsor), Tim Wahl (Fast Pitch Player), Max Wilkes (Meritorious Service), Al White (Modified Player) and Jim Wolford (Umpire).
Lori Harrigan – Fast Pitch Player – Las Vegas, Nevada
Lori Harrigan is a member of an elite group of four women who hold three Olympic Gold Medals in the sport of softball. The pitcher not only competed in three Olympic Games, but also in three World Championships and three Pan American Championships, all Gold Medal performances. Harrigan was also a three-time ASA Women’s Major All-American, spending two years with the California Commotion and one with the California Players. With the Commotion, she was crowned National Champion in 1999 and runner-up in 1995. She joined the USA Softball National Team program in 1992 and retired following the 2004 Olympic Games. In the 2000 Olympic Games, she set a record becoming the first individual pitcher to throw an Olympic no-hitter after blanking Canada in the tournament opener. She finished those Games with a 2-0 record, allowing just one hit and one walk in 12.1 innings.
Julie Johnson – Umpire – Alexandria, Indiana
Julie Johnson became an ASA registered umpire in 1976 and has emerged as one of the top umpires and clinicians for ASA. Johnson worked nine National Championships, from 1982-1998, including six Women’s Majors. Johnson earned her International Softball Federation (ISF) certification through the ISF of Umpires in 1986 and would go on to work several Major Fast Pitch events including an ISF World Championship, Pan American Games and most notably the 1996 Olympic Games in Columbus, Ga. In 2006, she was appointed to the ASA National Umpire Staff as the ASA Deputy Supervisor of Umpires. Johnson not only worked on the field of play, but off the field she served as Umpire-In-Chief for three ASA National Championships and four International events including two World Cup of Softball events and the ISF Men’s World Championship. As one of the top clinicians in the U.S., Johnson has worked over 10 clinics including National Umpires Schools and Fast Pitch Camps. In 2007 she was appointed to the position of North American UIC for the ISF. In 2005, Johnson was inducted into the Indiana ASA Hall of Fame as an Umpire.
Brian Martie – Fast Pitch Player – Bloomington, Illinois
Brian Martie played men’s fast pitch for almost 20 years for several notable teams including Coffeen, Taylor Springs, Bob’s IGA, Bloomington Hearts, Decatur Pride, and ending his career with the Farm Tavern who he competed with for seven seasons. The infielder was a five-time MVP of the Illinois ASA Major State Tournament and six times was selected to the All-Tournament team. He appeared in 15 consecutive ASA National Championships and boasts six All-American titles. On the International scene, Martie competed for Team USA on two Pan American Games teams, which both won silver, as well as the 1996 ISF World Championships.
Rod Peterson – Manager – Madison, Wisconsin
Rod Peterson retired in 2009 after managing the esteemed Farm Tavern team for more than four decades. He began playing in 1955 when he saw a man pass through the hotel lobby carrying cleats. He asked him where he was going and the stranger said a softball game. Peterson tagged along and the rest they say is history. He played and managed the Farm Tavern, a pub that he still owns today. His Farm Tavern teams, whom he began to manage in 1960, won three ASA National Championships and six runner-up finishes. They accomplished the same feat in ISC play. He quit playing in 1986 but continued to manage the team until 2009. Farm Tavern won approximately 15 State Championships under his management.
Lewis Secory Sr. – Sponsor – Port Huron, Michigan
Lewis Secory Sr. established the Secory Flyers Softball Club in 1982 when his son approached him about sponsoring a team. The only criteria he asked was that the team represent him, his company and Port Huron, Michigan with class. The year 2010 marked his 29th consecutive season of sponsoring the Secory Flyers Modified Softball Team. In his 29 years of sponsoring, the Flyers have participated in 21 National Championships with two wins. The Flyers won ten MASA State Modified Championships and 16 Port Huron League Championships. During his time on the National Tournament scene, the Flyers placed in the top 10 on nine occasions. Secory is the founder and annual sponsor of the National Bluewater Invitation Softball Tournament in Port Huron. Besides his modified team, Secory has sponsored many other teams including volleyball, hockey and bowling. In 2001, Secory was inducted into the Michigan ASA Hall of Fame in the sponsor category.
Gary Tharaldson – Sponsor – Fargo, North Dakota
Gary Tharaldson has dedicated much of his life to supporting ASA Softball as a sponsor for not just one or two divisions but across the whole spectrum of ASA Softball. He was a sponsor for 38 years of the Men’s A, B and C Slow Pitch Divisions and supported five different levels of senior ball for a total of 24 years. Tharaldson sponsored women’s teams for 15 years as well as both Boys and Girls Junior Olympic Teams. His sponsored teams have participated in over 30 National Tournaments. Outside of his teams, Tharaldson gave back by providing North Dakota state tournament trophies and banners for all divisions for 12 years. He also sponsored the North Dakota Hall of Fame Banquet for 10 years. Tharaldson has been a key component in keeping the upper division of the McQuade Charity Tournament going. Tharaldson was also a player during his time as sponsor winning two National Championships and over playing 1,000 games as a pitcher. He had a best year record of 58-2 and a career batting average of over .600.
Tim Wahl – Fast Pitch Player – Grayland, Washington
Tim Wahl was introduced to fast pitch softball by a high school friend who was in need of a catcher. With just two years of experience under his belt, in 1986 he was asked to try out for Pay ‘N Pak of Seattle and was shortly thereafter catching 85 mph fastballs. He spent the next 17 years of his life devoted to fast pitch softball. Along with Pay ‘N Pack, he competed with Seafirst, Penn Corp., NHCD, The Farm Tavern, Tampa Bay Smokers, Decatur Pride, and Victoria Traveller’s Inn. To play during the winter months and perfect his game, he played in New Zealand. He played on three USA Softball National Teams in ISF World Championships play and won eight ASA All-American titles. He was also named to two ISF All-World Teams. He retired in 2002 and continues to work on his family farm growing cranberries.
Al White – Modified Player – Canton, Michigan
Al White began his career as a modified fast pitch player in 1966 and retired from the sport in 1997. He briefly emerged from retirement in 2001 to pitch his team to a ninth-place National Tournament finish. White played for 31 years, pitching for two ASA National Championship teams and earning five first-team All-America honors and the 1985 MVP Title. With all the accolades, his greatest thrill was playing with his son for Little Caesars. They qualified for ASA Nationals every year and were the perfect battery as his son was the catcher. He is currently the Head Coach for the women’s softball team at Madonna University, continuing his commitment to the sport. White is also a Metro Detroit ASA Hall of Fame Inductee.
Max Wilkes – Meritorious Service – Phenix City, Alabama
Max Wilkes has been a long time supporter of ASA dating back to 1959 where he played and managed several softball teams in the southeast. Wilkes helped organized and serves as President of the Phenix City Umpire Association from 1968 to present. Wilkes served as Alabama ASA District 5 Umpire-In-Chief for over 30 years and currently still holds that position. He is a four-time President of Alabama ASA and three-time Alabama Umpire-In-Chief. From 1993-2006, he served as UIC for over 75 ASA National Championships. During his 25-years on the National Umpire Staff, he was responsible for the coordination of 350 National Championship Tournaments from the Southern Region. He received one of the highest honors when he served on the Atlanta Olympic Games staff for the first-ever Olympic Games. He also served ASA on several committees including the Slow-Pitch Playing Rules and Umpires, Master/Seniors and Junior Olympics and Playing Rules-Special Programs.
Jim Wolford – Umpire – DeWitt, Michigan
Before Jim Wolford began umpiring ASA Softball in 1974, he played competitive softball in southwest Michigan. Wolford umpired his first state tournament just two years after he umpired his first two games. In his 26 years of service, Wolford umpired in five ASA National Championships culminating with the Men’s Super Slow Pitch in 1990. Wolford umpired in over 20 state Championships and served as Umpire-In-Chief for over 30 MASA State Championships. Also in 1990, he became the Michigan ASA State UIC, a position he held for ten years. As he turned more to promoting other umpires instead of his own career, Wolford played a key role in many Michigan umpire clinics during his time. Wolford became International Softball Federation certified in 1983. He was an inaugural member of the National Indicator Fraternity in 1986 and was inducted in the Michigan ASA Hall of Fame in 1993.
The 2012 Class
On Tuesday afternoon, the ASA Hall of Fame committee met and reviewed the nominations for the 2012 class. The following individuals will be inducted into the ASA National Hall of Fame in November of 2012.
Chris Armijo (Alto, Mich.)- Umpire
Jerry King (Maysville, Ky.)– Slow Pitch Player
Denny Bruckert (Gillespie, Ill.) – Manager
Leon Grunault (Warren, Mich.) – Manager
Larry Mays (Canyon Lake, Calif.)– Manager
Ike Wheeler (Bossier City, La.)– Meritorious Service
The 32nd induction ceremony will take place on Wednesday, November 14 in Dallas, Texas at the 81st Annual ASA Council Meeting.
Rules and guidelines to nominate potential Hall of Fame candidates for 2013 are available at www.asasoftball.com with a submission deadline of September 1, 2012.
September 22 Update
SPY 2020 Editorial
The editorial assessing prospects for softball’s reinstatement vis the 2020 Olympics was read by an indicated 4,144 people in 19 countries. The key vote will be by the IOC Executive Board in September 2013, at which the Board may choose one of eight proposed programs to be included in the 2020 program. The editorial noted that the other seven sports are strongly supported by international federations.
There were suggestions that the International Softball Federation needs to change tactics/strategies if softball is to have a chance of selection.
The comments received did not reflect a great deal of optimism that the IOC would reinstate softball.
Hopefully, ISF will unveil a strategy with winning potential when it meets in OKC in October.
COMMITMENTS
Lindsay Mayer, RI Thunder SS, to University of Virginia
Paige Mason, 2012 INF, KC Zephyrs. To Wichita State
ISF NEWS
RECORD TURNOUT IN TAIWAN
The 10th Asian Women’s Softball Championship began yesterday in Nantou, Taiwan, about three hours from the capital city of Taipei. The tournament has 13 teams participating, which is a record number of entries. Playing in the seven-day fast pitch tournament are China, Chinese Taipei, DPR Korea, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, and Thailand.
International Softball Federation Secretary General Ms. Low Beng Choo is attending in her role as the president of the Softball Confederation of Asia. Among others, the opening ceremony was officiated by the Premier of the Executive Yuan, Den-yih WU and the Minister of Sports Affair Council Ms. Hsia-ling TAI. Also, the host Chinese Taipei Amateur Softball Association made a donation to the Japan Softball Association in aid of the recent earthquake there.
WORLD SOFTBALL MAGAZINE ONLINE
The September-December issue of World Softball magazine is available for online reading. The current edition features the ISF IX Jr. Women’s World Championship on the cover, as that event will take place from December 7-17 (in South Africa). Other articles include softball being on the International Olympic Committee’s shortlist for the 2013 vote on the 2020 Games, an ISF Congress preview, a wrap-up of numerous tournaments, a look back at World Softball Day 2011, and more. To access the magazine, visit the Magazine portion of the Communications section.
PRESIDENT ATTENDS EVENTS, MEETINGS
Already this month International Softball Federation President Don Porter has attended the International Masters Games Association board meeting in Italy, visited Washington, D.C. (USA) for meetings with Special Olympics International and the U.S. Department of Defense, and attended ceremonies and meetings in Cartagena, Colombia, prior to the start of the seven-team VI South American Women’s Softball Championship (Argentina, Aruba, Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Peru, and Venezuela). Back at the ISF’s world headquarters in Plant City, Florida (USA), the ISF president is overseeing preparations for the world governing body’s XXV Congress in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (USA), next month, which will take place after Mr. Porter will have attended the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, where eight teams will compete in women’s fast pitch softball.
National Finalist William Carey Leads Loaded Field For 2012 NFCA NAIA Leadoff Classic
09/12/11 – NFCA Release
STARKVILLE, Miss. – William Carey, a 2011 NAIA national finalist, will lead a highly competitive field of 16 teams at the 2011 NFCA NAIA Leadoff Classic on March 2-4 at Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach, Fla.
This year’s field includes 12 teams that were ranked or received votes in the final NAIA Top 25 Coaches’ Poll of 2011 and seven teams that participated in last year’s NAIA National Championship. A three-year time frame was used when evaluating potential participants and of the 16 teams that will compete in the 2012 edition of the tournament, 13 have been to the NAIA National Championship in at least one of the past three seasons.
William Carey is one of four teams in this year’s tournament that has made the NAIA’s version of the “Elite Eight” in any of the past three seasons, having finished third in 2010 and sixth in 2011. Trevecca Nazarene also made the championship round in 2010, finishing seventh, while both Notre Dame (Ohio) and Martin Methodist qualified in 2009 turning in a sixth and seventh place finish, respectively.
In addition to Trevecca Nazarene, William Carey and Notre Dame (Ohio), four other Leadoff participants also qualified for the 32-team field for last year’s NAIA tournament. Bellevue, Central Baptist, St. Thomas (Fla.) and Reinhardt will also be looking to make a statement in Panama City Beach in order to help them get back to the national tournament.
In total, 13 states will be represented in this year’s tournament with the “Volunteer State” of Tennessee sending the most with four, followed by the host state Florida with two. Rounding out the field this year are Auburn-Montgomery, Columbia (Mo.), Indiana-Southeast, Lee, Madonna, Southern Nazarene, Union (Tenn.) and Webber International.
This year’s classic will be divided into distinct portions; pool play and bracket play, with each team guaranteed a minimum of five games. Each team will begin the tournament by playing each of the other three schools in their pool. Once pool play is completed, the teams will be divided into two brackets of eight teams each. The top two teams in each pool will form the gold championship bracket, while the remaining two teams in each pool will be placed in the silver championship bracket. Trophies will be awarded to each bracket’s winner, runner-up and consolation winner.
Single day tickets will be $8 for adults, $6 for students and $5 for youth groups of 10 or more. Full tournament passes will also be available for $20 for adults and $15 for students. All tickets can be purchased at the gate on game days. Additional tournament information can be found HERE.
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For more information on Panama City Beach and accommodations in the area, please visit the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau at www.visitpanamacitybeach.com.
Allegations of Giants faking injuries demeans NFL
by Vinnie Ilyer, Sporting News
a critique worth repeating
For American sports fans, one of the least appealing things about that “other” football—soccer—is players faking injuries and taking dives. The New York Giants, however, are getting heat for potentially pulling a similar tactic in Monday night’s 28-16 home win over St. Louis.
With Sam Bradford and the Rams down 7-3 early, but finding success with an up-tempo offense that drove them to the Giants’ 7 late in the first quarter, veteran safety Deon Grant went down to the turf untouched, seconds after linebacker Jacquian Williams was attempting to do the same thing. Slowing down the game worked in favor of the winded Giants as, after a brief stoppage, the Rams had to settle for a short field goal two plays later.
New York Giants players Deon Grant and Jacquian Williams are accused of faking injuries during Monday’s game against St. Louis.
ProFootballTalk.com reports the league is unable to fine either player for violating the anti-feigning injuries rule—unless there’s proof. Although video of what Grant and Williams did in front of a prime-time TV audience was circulated in the blogosphere Tuesday, it is more circumstantial than conclusive evidence.
“It’s not a judgment call,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told PFT. “You would need clear evidence, meaning an admission.”
ESPN cameras showed multiple replays of the incident, and the broadcast team of Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworksi and Jon Gruden suggested that Grant and Williams were using a wily ploy to help their gassed unit. There also were television shots of other Giants being amused about what their two teammates had just pulled.
The problem is, if the NFL doesn’t act, more overworked defenders could follow suit while they’re being picked apart, thanks to the proliferation of no-huddle passing attacks. Consider that two of the league’s top teams, the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons, have great success going into that attack mode with Tom Brady and Matt Ryan.
Grant and Williams may get off for cheap moves that demean the sportsmanship of the NFL, but the fact that they’ve gotten so much attention should put league officials on alert for future players who attempt similar stunts.
Why Spy was offline
Readers have asked, some worried about my health.
Readers, especially in the East, will recall the massive storm a week ago. A storm window was inadvertently left open; water poured into an upstairs bedroom, ruining the mattress; water buckled hardwood floors on two levels; water also poured through a vent, damaging a wall in another bedroom and buckling the tile in the master bath. The electrical storm fried my laptop which has been primary to Spy publishing; Micro Center said the hard drive (and hard copies of Spy files) could be salvaged for $1500; instead, Spy purchased yet another laptop, the eighth computer bought by Spy in the 15 years of operating the web site. The ravages of diabetes and a blood disease have been somewhat compounded the last few days; I have blackouts and dizzy spells from some new drugs the doctors are trying; as a consequence, I fell and damaged a knee, bruised a hip and broke a rib. Hopefully, I will cover three tournaments and NFCA before Christmas, but probably not Capetown. Thanks for asking. RFH
