My Kinda Guy, Your Kinda Guy, A Legend In His Own Time, A Great American...

"...And the home of the brave," Gladys finished, and everybody sat back down. "I'm going to take a little break," she said, "but you're a wonderful audience, and I'll be right back."

Thorpe, Alexander and Gibson ordered another round of doubles. Big Bill Tilden came in with little Snapper Garrison, who had paused outside to give sugar lumps to Man o' War and Dan Patch. George Gipp went over to the juke box and played A-8. Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis got a boost from Pudge Heffelfinger, scrambled up onto the bar, and took a hand mike. Earl Sande unplugged the juke and Judge Landis called the meeting to order. "O.K., Cloud of Famers, we've got a fantastic agenda and, hey, we've got some outasight surprises, and so, without further ado, let me turn the show over to a dear friend, a great American, an inspiration to each and every one of us, a legend in his own time, the chairman of our New Members Committee, will you give him, please, the same wonderful welcome you gave me? Here he is now, Knute Rockne!!!"

To wild cheers, the Rock moved to the standing microphone by the organ. Everybody loved to have Rockne around the Lounge, especially after a couple of margaritas, when he did his great Pat O'Brien imitations. "You're too kind, you're too kind," Rockne said, acknowledging the cheers. "And now I have the great honor of introducing our newest Cloud of Famer. He's a household word, you all know him, a legend in his own time, will you make him feel right at home, the one, the only, Mr. Charles Dillon—call me Casey—Stengelll!"

There were shouts and cheers as Stengel came in, ushered by John McGraw. In response Stengel took off his cap, and a little angel flew out.

"Tee-riffic, Case, tee-riffic," Rockne said. "The Judge said mere were going to be some surprises, and he wasn't just whistling Dixie—right? O.K., now it's my pleasure to turn the mike over to a man who needs no introduction, a legend in his own time, will you join with me, please, in giving a big hello to our entertainment chairman, Mr. Wrestling himself, Strangler Lewis!"

Strangler took the microphone. "Thank you, Rock. God bless, God bless. You're always a treat to work with. Now, a date for each and every one of you to circle on your calendar: next Tuesday, the 27th. The Connie Mack Roast over at the Cherubim Club. It's for a good cause, and we've got a dy-NO-mite head table lined up: Ed Sullivan, Dizzy Dean, Jack E. Leonard and a host of greats and near greats. And now, Judge"—and the Strangler waved over to the bar—"I'm throwing it right back to you and yours."

"Thank you, thank you, Strangler," the Judge said. "You're a beautiful slice of human being. And now, moving right along. It's Bicentennial time, and we decided to do our bit. We've got 20th century members of the Cloud of Fame and 19th century members, but no 18th century superstars. Now, to rectify that situation, here he is with our monster Bicentennial salute, the president of the Old Angels Committee, a dear friend of mine, a legend in his own time, will you welcome, please, the one and only, Mr. Billiards, Willie Hoppe!"

Hoppe grabbed the standing mike and waved to the Judge. "Thank you muchly," he said. "We had so many beautiful Bicentennial candidates that we decided to give some special awards. Tonight everybody's a winner at the Cloud of Fame. It's kinda like playoffs. All right, people. First, from Boston, Mass., a stud you've heard so much about, a great clutch artist, a rider par excellence, a legend in his own time, here he is—one if by land, two if by sea, but always No. 1 in your hearts—Paul Revere!"

Revere ran out, and Hoppe hugged him as applause rained down. Hoppe had to hold up his hands and whistle. "Wait a minute, wait a minute," he said. "We're running late, so I'm going to have to ask you to hold your applause until after I've named all the special awards. O.K. Thanks much." John L. Sullivan kneed Jackie Robinson. Grover Cleveland Alexander beckoned Texas Guinan over and called for another round of doubles. "Let's sprinkle the infield one more time, sweetie," he said.

Hoppe resumed: "Next, from the heart of Dixie, Hanover County, Vee-a, a guy you know as a world-class speaker, but who is also a consensus All-East fisherman, a legend in his own time, here he is, will you meet and greet, Mr. Freshwater: Patrick—Give-Me-Liberty-Or-Give-Me-You-Know-What—Henry! Patty, great to have you with us."