Resources
Halsey Hall Chapter Receives Inaugural MVP Status—Only SABR Chapter to Receive It
The Halsey Hall Chapter was recognized as an MVP Chapter, part of a new SABR program to recognize chapters for achieving certain distinctions. At the SABR convention in Chicago, four chapters were recognized as All-Star Chapters (a step below) but only one as MVP. The award reinforces the status of our group as the oldest, the most active, and, in our mind, the best chapter in SABR.
This honor reflects the accomplishments of the Halsey Hall Chapter since it formally organized into a chapter in 1985, as well as regional gatherings that go back to 1981, and President Gene Gomes worked hard with members to make sure we were coordinating our activities into the mold for the MVP status. In our early years, the SABR office called us “a model chapter” and directed other burgeoning regional groups in SABR to follow our example. Nearly 40 years later, a high SABR official told Gene at the convention that the Halsey Hall Chapter is “something to aspire to.”
For those wondering what it takes to be MVP, here is the criteria for 2022-2023:
SABR Chapter Standards and Requirements, 2022-2023
Here are the accomplishments of the Halsey Hall Chapter over the past year, as noted in the annual report we submitted:
Halsey Hall SABR Minnesota Chapter June 2022-May 2023 Annual Report
The chapter now has a web site to commemorate this group achievement as well as individual honors bestowed on members:
Chapter and Member Awards from SABR
For those interested in how we got to where we are, here are a couple articles on the early years of the Halsey Hall Chapter:
A Brief History of the Chapter: The Unorganized Years
A Model Chapter
SABR 51
Halsey Hall Chapter members (including members in exile) attending the 51st almost annual SABR convention, held in Chicago, included Paul Spyhalski, Hans Van Slooten, Joe O’Connell, Bob Komoroski, Tom Flynn, Daniel Dorff, Dirk Lammers, Bill Parker, Gene Gomes, Scott Bush, Rich Arpi, Cary Smith, Mike Haupert, Lloyd Kepple, Richard Morningwood, John Gregory, Steven Gregory, R. J. Lesch, Dan Levitt, Rich Bogovich, Terry Bohn, and Ed Edmonds.
Dan (The Coming of the Farm System and the Manipulation of Player Control Rights), Mike (The Inglorious Exit of Adrian Anson), and R. J. (Luke Appling Versus The White Sox: September 1967) gave research presentations (with Dan’s being a finalist for the Doug Pappas Award), and Mike had his presentation replicated in print in The National Pastime: Heart of the Midwest Tour the convention publication, which is available for a free download by SABR members. If all that isn’t enough, Cary and R. J. were on the winning trivia team. R. J. also finished second in the individual trivia competition.
An always serious Gene Gomes—president of the Halsey Hall Chapter during its MVP year—poses with more jovial members Ed Edmonds and Mike Haupert at the edifice formerly known as New Comiskey Park on SABR Night at the Ballyard during the convention in Chicago.
In descending order below are Mike Haupert and Dan Levitt giving research presentations and investigative reporter Daniel Dorff grilling them.
Go to Top
Upcoming Events
Possible road trip:
Howard Luloff is gauging interest in a trip to a Northwoods League game on Saturday night, August 12 at either Eau Claire or Wisconsin Rapids. If you are interested, contact Howard, hfan77@centurylink.net, 952-922-5036.
Other events:
The next Book Club meeting will be Saturday, August 5 at Barnes & Noble in Har Mar Mall at 9:30 a.m. The book selection is How Baseball Happened: Outrageous Lies Exposed! The True Story Revealed by Thomas W. Gilbert. Brent Heutmaker has organized a list of all the book selections since the book club started in August 2002: Halsey Hall Book Club Selections
The next Research Committee meetings, via Zoom, will be Monday, August 21 and Monday, September 18. Research Committee members are co-chairs Dave Lande or Gene Gomes as well as Brenda Himrich, Sarah Johnson, Dan Levitt, Doug Skipper, Stew Thornley, Rich Arpi, Anders Koskinen, Hans Van Slooten, Mike Haupert, Bob Tholkes, Daniel Dorff, Darryl Sannes, Tom Swift, David Karpinski, Glenn Renick, John Buckeye, Terry Bohn, Art Mugalian and Bob Komoroski. Let Dave or Gene know if you would like to attend and/or join the committee.
The Fred Souba Hot Stove Saturday Morning, an informal breakfast gathering for the purpose of talking baseball, will be at Manning’s at 22nd and Como in southeast Minneapolis on Saturday, September 16 at 9:00 a.m. We can get tables reserved if we have some idea of how many are coming. Please RSVP to me, stew@stewthornley.net, if you plan to attend. This is an informal RSVP, so feel free to show up even if you haven’t RSVP’d and/or don’t sweat it if you RSVP and can’t make it (although an un-RSVP, if possible, would be appreciated).
More than a dozen members turned out for the July 15 Fred Souba Hot Stove Saturday Morning breakfast, including member-in-exile Alan Holst (third from right) at Manning’s in southeast Minneapolis. A few nights early, a whole plethora load of members was at Manning’s to watch the All-Star Game. The next breakfast will be Saturday, September 16.
The second annual NINE Online Virtual Baseball Conference will be held October 12-13, and the deadline for the call for papers has been extended until July 30. The conference will feature 15-minute presenations, and abstracts (no more than 300 words) may be sent to Willie Steele and David Pegram. Registration for the conference is $40, $20 for graduate students.
The Fall Halsey Hall Chapter meeting will be Saturday, November 18 at Faith Mennonite Church. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with the program beginning 15 minutes later.
The cost for the meeting and lunch is $10. The meeting only is $5. Those wanting lunch are asked to RSVP to Howard Luloff, 952-922-5036. People can pay by cash (with correct change appreciated) or check at the door.
There will be a featured speaker in the afternoon, and the morning will consist of research presentations by chapter members. Howard will have his Almost New and Improved Jeopardy trivia quiz after the featured speaker along with door prizes.
Members are invited to submit a proposal to make a research presentation at the meeting. Proposals may be sent to Research Committee co-chairs Dave Lande or Gene Gomes and include a title and brief outline of what the presentation will consist of with emphasis on the research that will be included. Standard oral presentations are 20 minutes (with an additional eight minutes for questions) although the duration may be longer or shorter depending on the needs of the presenter and of the schedule.
One presentation has been approved so far: Our (Eventual) Hall of Famer: Joe Mauer’s Case for Cooperstown by Sam Sundermeyer.
One presentation slot is always reserved for a first-time presenter until four weeks before the chapter meeting (October 21). If a slot remains after that, any member can submit a proposal until November 4, two weeks before the meeting, when the Research Committee will wrap up the schedule of presentations.
Keep up to date with chapter activities on social media:
SABR Halsey Hall Chapter Facebook page
Halsey Hall Chapter Twitter page
Please visit both pages, and, if you haven’t yet, “Like” the Facebook page and “Follow” the Twitter page and set your notifications to be alerted to new posts. (The Facebook page now has 264 members and hopes to add five more soon. Bob Komoroski has established rules —essentially, don’t be a dink.— The page is still public although Bob has set up a series of questions for new members to cull out spammers, trollers, and other wankers.)
Also:
Regular Events
Video Archives of Past Events
Go to Top
New Members
The Halsey Hall Chapter has welcomed three new members since our previous chapter meeting and has 165 members.
Know a potential member? Here are resources for getting that person happily involved in SABR:
Membership application
Get more out of your membership experience by checking out SABR Member Benefit Spotlight Series.
Go to Top
Ed Edmonds’s World Series Quiz
The July Research Committee meeting included a quiz submitted by Ed Edmonds.
- The World Series MVP in 1960 was not a member of the victorious Pittsburgh Pirates. Who was this Yankee who won the MVP award?
- What Reds pitcher won game two of the 1961 World Series—Cincinnati’s only victory in that series?
- In eight MLB seasons this Giants second baseman, who graduated from the University of St. Thomas in 1956, hit a total of 20 home runs in 2,344 plate appearances. However, in game four of the 1962 World Series, he hit a grand slam home run, breaking a 2-2 tie to lead San Francisco to a victory in Yankee Stadium. Who was this player who hit the first grand slam by a National Leaguer in the World Series?
- In the 1963 World Series, the Dodgers pitching staff, led by Sandy Koufax, allowed only four runs by the Yankees in a four-game Los Angeles sweep. A former Yankee helped to lead the Dodgers by scoring two runs and driving in three while playing a corner infield position. Who is this Chicago native who played in a total of 39 games in eight of the nine World Series between 1955-1963?
- This future MLB manager, whose team lost the 1989 World Series in a sweep, had a single decision (2 wins and 2 losses) in each of his four World Series (1955, 1956, 1959, and 1964), all for a National League team. He won game four of the 1964 World Series for the Cardinals hurling 4-2/3 innings of 2-hit, 8 strikeout ball in relief of Ray Sadecki.
- In game one of the 1965 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers started an all-switch-hitting infield. Wes Parker was the first baseman and Maury Wills played shortstop. Who were the second and third baseman?
- In the 1966 World Series sweep of the Orioles over the Dodgers, Baltimore hit four home runs—Frank and Brooks Robinson had three of the four. Who was the Orioles center fielder with the other four bagger?
- This Cardinals infielder hit a three-run homer in game seven of the 1967 World Series to help Bob Gibson win his third game of the series. This native of the Dominican Republic has the same initial letter in both his first and last name.
- This Tigers starting infielder barely surpassed HOF-er Al Kaline in batting average in the 1968 World Series—.385 to .379. He won the 1961 AL batting title. Who was he?
- What New York Mets first baseman was the MVP of the 1969 World Series? He earned a law degree from Duquesne University and practiced law in Minnesota.
Bonus: The New York Mets lost the first game of the 1969 World Series before winning the next four against the Baltimore. Who was the lone Orioles pitcher to win a game for Baltimore?
Quiz answers below
Go to Top
Cow Chips
Fred and Gaynelle Buckland are gallavanting again, this time to Asheville, North Carolina, for a game at McCormick Field, where goats mow the lawn behind the outfield fences.
David Karpinski gallavanted on The Bleacher Bums XL . . . The Tulsa Culture Tour, which, among other things, brought the group to a game in Tulsa on Juneteenth. Here is a recap of one of the days: From the Rood . . .Ballpark Tours Bleacher Bums XL - Thirsty Thursday, the Planet Venus and Our Last Ballgame
The SABR Games Project has new entries by chapter members:
Howard Luloff (public-address announcing) and Jeff Lenz (scoreboard operator) worked the Delano Stars and Strikes Legion Baseball Tournament July 3.
Jim Cox came across a 1939 Centennial of Baseball stamp (a facsimile shown below) and wonders if a member would want it. If so, If you are interested, contact Jim, jcox321@hotmail.com.
The June 2023 edition of Keltner’s Hot Corner, the newsletter of the Ken Keltner Badger State Chapter, is on-line:
Keltner’s Hot Corner, June 2023
For past Keltner’s Hot Corner newsletters:
Keltner’s Hot Corner
Go to Top
Answers to Ed Edmonds’s World Series Quiz
- Bobby Richardson
- Joey Jay
- Chuck Hiller
- Moose Skowron
- Roger Craig
- Jim Lefebvre and Jim Gilliam
- Paul Blair
- Julian Javier
- Norm Cash
- Donn Clendenon
Bonus answer: Mike Cuellar
Go to Top
Calendar
August 5—Book Club, Barnes & Noble, Har Mar Mall, Roseville, 9:30 a.m., How Baseball Happened: Outrageous Lies Exposed! The True Story Revealed by Thomas W. Gilbert.
August 21—Research Committee meeting, 7:00-9:00 p.m. via Zoom. For more information, contact Dave Lande or Gene Gomes.
August 27—Halsey Hall Chapter Board of Directors meeting, 6:00 p.m. For more information on attending, contact Rich Arpi.
September 16—Fred Souba Hot Stove League Saturday Morning, 9:00 a.m., Mannings’s, Minneapolis.
September 18—Research Committee meeting, 7:00-9:00 p.m. via Zoom. For more information, contact Dave Lande or Gene Gomes.
November 18—Fall Chapter Meeting, 8:45 a.m., Faith Mennonite Church, Minneapolis. For more information, contact Howard Luloff, 952-922-5036, or Bob Komoroski.
Go to Top
Board of Directors 2023-2024
President—Rich Arpi
Vice President—Bob Tholkes
Secretary—Daniel Dorff
Treasurer—Jerry Janzen
John Buckeye
David Karpinski
Howard Luloff
Bob Tholkes
Events Committee Co-Chairs—Howard Luloff, Bob Komoroski
Research Committee Co-Chairs—Dave Lande, Gene Gomes
Membership Committee Co-Chairs—Stew Thornley, John Buckeye
The Holy Cow! Editor—Stew Thornley
Ass. Editors—Jerry Janzen, Brenda Himrich, and John Buckeye
Webmaster—John Gregory
Ass. Webmasters—Frank Kadwell, Hans Van Slooten, and Stew Thornley
Social Media Directors—Bob Komoroski, Facebook; Hans Van Slooten and Tom Flynn, Twitter
Halsey Hall Chapter Web Page
Past issues of The Holy Cow! are available on-line.
Chapter History
Chapter Procedures and By-Laws
Society for American Baseball Research
Go to Top
Resources
Go to Top
