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When the curators at the Library of Congress Folklife Center began planning their Baseball Americana symposium (a two-day event in celebration of baseball October 2-3, 2009), they sought a living ambassador of the sport suitable of representing the colorful history and exuberant spirit of “America’s Game”…and they naturally thought of “Mr. Cub®” Ernie Banks. Ernie’s response was an immediate “Yes! I said, ‘Anything I can do for the game of baseball and our great fans around the world, count me in.’”
 So after consulting with baseball’s greatest stars, including names
like Banks, Aaron, Mays and Jackson, along with and past managers,
owners, sports reporters, authors and fans, the folks at the LOC
Folklife Center created an ambitious and awe-inspiring symposium that
examined baseball from a number of interesting perspectives,
particularly the viewpoints of people who experience the game at home
(via TV, radio and newspapers), in the stands (as spectators, vendors
and musicians), and on the field (as players and coaches).
Speakers
included former players who made their living through the game (such as
a stadium organist and a head groundskeeper), as well as experts on
baseball cuisine, the language of baseball, and baseball equipment and
memorabilia. In addition, Library of Congress curators displayed and
discussed rare baseball-related items from the Library’s collections,
including historically significant baseball cards, photographs, and
sheet music.
 The event began on Friday night with curator
talks followed by an evening of film and radio clips from the Library’s
vast archives. The following day featured the keynote address followed
by presentations by a number of speakers, a seventh-inning stretch, an
on-stage conversation with Mr. Cub, and the signing of the Library’s
new book Baseball Americana: Treasures from the Library of Congress.
For full agenda, visit http://www.loc.gov/folklife/Symposia/Baseball/program.html
According
to LOC Folklife Center Director Peggy Bulger, “In our strong opinion,
no one associated with baseball is more respected, and no one better
embodies the spirit of the game than Ernie Banks.” Mr. Cub was
recognized by the Library of Congress “Living Legend Award” for his
contributions with the Negro American League (Kansas City Monarchs),
Major League Baseball (Chicago Cubs), and continuing impact as
baseball’s global ambassador, as well as on society via his own Live
Above and Beyond Foundation which works to fight racial
discrimination.
All the symposium’s sessions were videotaped and
the recordings will be added to the permanent collection of the Library
of Congress, where they will be preserved and made available to
researchers and the public. “Following the suggestion of past-MLB
Commissioner Fay Vincent, who is advising us on the symposium, we
intend to present a copy of the recording of the on-stage conversation
with Mr. Banks to the Baseball Hall of Fame,” added Bulger.
 As
usual, Ernie wowed the crowd with his inspiring words and stole the
show with an impromptu version of "Thanks for the Memories".
Photos on this page are courtesy of Stephen Winick, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress."
While
in Washington, DC as the special guests of the Library of Congress, Liz
and Ernie Banks toured the White House where they said hello to
President Obama and Liz got a quick picture with the "First Dog" whose
name is Bo.
A Portuguese Water Dog, Bo was named by the
President's daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, because Mrs. Obama's
father was nicknamed Diddley, as in Bo Diddley. The dog was a gift from
the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, and is known for high spirits and said to be
a good fit for kids with allergies (such as Malia).
Bo sure liked Liz (President of 500 Home Run Club®, LLC) |
