“Finding Good Players Is Easy. Getting Them to Play As a Team Is Another Story.”
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“Finding good players is easy. Getting them to play as a team is another story.” America and the world need a major motion picture about Casey Stengel. Now! Photos and Magazine Covers are provided from the private collection of Toni Mollett, previously part of the Estate of Casey Stengel. Proposal by Toni Mollett, [email protected]; (775) 323-6776 tism of the self-absorbed, high-salaried most glorious stretch, 1949-58, when In this era of global recession superstar — held sway in America, not the most fabled franchise in major- — with hundreds of millions of people only on the ball field, but in factories, league sports history captured seven either out of work or struggling to offices and boardrooms, on campuses World Series (including a never- survive with a deteriorating standard and on battlefields. It was when Ameri- equaled five in a row), proved that of living, and no real sign of an cans worked hard together to accom- concentrating on a shared aim meant economic turnaround in sight — there plish national goals, and achieve great- the sky was the limit. are vital and enduring lessons about ness. Their work ethic of a collective personally overcoming adversity to focus on common objectives showed It is no wonder that the name “Casey be learned from the likes of Casey them they could accomplish what at Stengel” remains instantly recognized Stengel, the Baseball Hall of Fame first seemed like dreams: resounding not only among baseball fans but most manager. While the history of our victory in a horrific, two-front war Americans 37 years after his death American pastime is replete with abroad; unparalleled economic growth in 1975. He was a bona fide folk hero. poignant and colorful chapters and that fostered a standard of living that Baseball lore celebrates him not only as stars, Casey’s story was all about was the envy of the world; the land- a captivating storyteller and promoter THE TEAM. “The Ole Perfessor” ing of men on the moon; an aggressive (spinning monologues that sportswrit- personified the determination to promotion of civil rights that prevailed ers dubbed “Stengelese”), but as one of persevere through tough seasons over centuries of racial discrimination the shrewdest strategists in the game’s and the ups and downs of even good and gender inequality. history — a skipper who would platoon seasons, the vicious jeering from fans left-handed and right-handed batters, and foes, alike, and hypercritical press On a microcosmic scale, Casey’s and pull a starting pitcher early for a in a continuous effort to find and bring team-first philosophy as manager of pinch hitter if a timely stroke would out the best in a roster. His goal was the New York Yankees during their break a game open. success through an all-out effort of the group, not limited glory for himself or a few prima donna players. They either The high-spirited Casey as a New York all succeeded together, or not at all. Giant in his playing days. His 1923 World Series heroics nearly outshined Babe Casey’s tenure in the continuum of Ruth’s of the Yankees. baseball that stretches from the game’s accredited creator, Abner Doubleday, to the diamond luminaries of today such as Alex Rodriguez and Albert Pujols, parallels a profound current of events in American history. It began before World War I (Casey made his major-league debut in 1912), continued through the Prohibition Era marking the end of the dead-ball era and the beginning of the live-ball era, winded through the Depression and into World War II, continued into the post- war 1950s and the sadness of the Kore- an Conflict, and culminated in the first half of the 1960s with the emergence of the Beatles and other generation- gapping forces in popular culture, and the upsurge of U.S. military involve- ment in a little-known country called Vietnam that would tear at the social fabric of the entire nation and end the innocence of its younger people. The decades that found Charles Dillon “Casey” Stengel sporting a baseball cap and jersey, knickers and cleats were when the team ethic — not the ego- 2 Proposal by Toni Mollett, [email protected]; (775) 323-6776 My mother, Margaret Mollett, was Casey and Edna’s niece and his per- sonal assistant. She and I traveled with Casey and Edna to the 1969 play-offs and World Series, captured by the “Miracle Mets,” whose performances only a few years before had been a national joke. It is from my knowledge of Uncle Casey’s private side until his death, as well as seeing his public persona, that I saw him shine in the two areas he loved the most: all things Edna, and all things baseball. I am not a screenwriter by trade, nor do I intend to become one, yet I am confident about the box-office poten- tial of a movie about Casey Stengel. Casey, with Yankee brass and players, celebrate a World Series victory over My careers have been as a museum their archrivals, the Dodgers, in the 1950s. Note that even Charlie Dressen, curator, high school teacher, business the manager of the Dodgers, is smiling with Casey in the dressing room. owner, construction company execu- tive, fund-raiser, and city councilwom- an. I also have served as a commis- played before Shea Stadium was built, As competitive as he was sioner on boards ranging from historic nevertheless was packed. The resulting on the field, Casey was also realistic and resources to parks and recreation, revenue helped recruit the young talent self-effacing about his own skills — and and as a committee member with that resulted in the Mets capturing the vicissitudes of fortune and fate. organizations ranging from the Salva- the World Series in 1969, a mere seven His own playing career as a southpaw tion Army to the Worldwide Special years into their existence. Yet one more outfielder spanned five major-league Olympics. But I also serve as president legacy of the wily Ole Perfessor. teams in 14 seasons. As he commented of the Casey Stengel Baseball Center to a U.S. Senate committee investigating Casey and his wife, Edna, were mar- (www.caseystengel.org) — a nonprofit baseball’s antitrust status in 1958: “I had ried 51 years, until his death. organization dedicated to building many years that I was not so successful They never had children, but a repository to share Casey’s as a ballplayer, as it is a game of skill.” I — his grand-niece — knew Just as his managerial career faced him very well. My name is Toni adversity at the start — his Brooklyn Mollett, and I am dedicated to Dodgers and Boston Braves finishing bringing my firsthand knowledge of no better than fifth in his nine seasons my Uncle Casey to the big screen. at their helms — his latter seasons were hardly rosy. Following his firing I lived within walking distance of him by the Yankees after the squad lost during the baseball off-seasons from the 1960 World Series to the underdog the 1940s through the ’60s, when he Pittsburgh Pirates, Casey made light of was a household name as big as the the owners’ belief that at age 70 he was legends who played for him, such as too old to manage, saying: “I’ll never Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford. Un- make that mistake again.” cle Casey and Aunt Edna lived in the home that my great-grandparents built His wit and charisma helped build a in Glendale, California. This served as loyal following for the hapless expan- our family’s place for many gatherings, sion team the New York Mets, whom and particularly for Sunday-night din- Casey was lured out of retirement to ners, as it had the only television set in manage in their first four seasons: our family. It was at this address that 1962-65. He told reporters: “I’ve been we children learned to swim. Each of in this game a hundred years, but I see us young ones had to rise to such chal- new ways to lose I never knew existed lenges or we wouldn’t be able to make before.” Despite the Mets’ abysmal re- it in our family of competitors. cord, the Polo Grounds, where the team 3 Proposal by Toni Mollett, [email protected]; (775) 323-6776 legacy, including his lessons in team provide instant and natural theater. • Freshness. Casey Stengel’s sto- building. And I am Managing Partner The series of plots and subplots lend ries, quotes and persona endure of the Casey Stengel Estate — the only themselves to making the movie a in the American public conscious- person empowered to license rights to drama or a comedy with rich oppor- ness. Somehow, his humanity his image, name, voice, and signature. tunities in the music score. Casey speaks to us now. He knew the art In addition, I am the sole owner of a loved music and to dance. He sent of being human. He knew how to manuscript written by my Aunt Edna, his players out for dancing lessons connect his team with its fans. It his wife, regarding Casey’s life. and he danced at my wedding. was as if he spoke directly to them — and to us today. He left us with Casey’s story is perfectly fit for the big • Moral lessons. Only a person of a reflection of who we are: just screen. It contains crucial elements: great character could forge a long, ballplayers and fans. successful and respected career as • A love story.