As I noted years ago, the headline as written in PF could not have been
real. But of course, why should it have to be?
It's worth noting, as I think we discussed back in 2004, that the pun on
"Chapman's homer" seems to have been a cliche in the world of sports
editors. It's a wonderful joke, but judging by the frequency of the
phrase in databases (below I've posted headlines only from the
New York Times), I imagine some world-weary retired sports editor
reading Pale Fire in 1962, coming to the Chapman's homer part, and
crying out, "No, not that again!"
But today, looking at Jerry's Sam Chapman find, I'm inclined to think that's the headline Nabokov saw. The date makes sense (1950), and VN would merely have changed the A's to the Red Sox. And that particular game would have gotten a big headline on any sports page, as it was played in the 1950 season's final few days and had an impact on the pennant race.
Best,
Mike Donohue
CHAPMAN'S
HOMER WINS FOR INDIANS; Only Hit Off Rommel in 8 2-3 Innings Results in
Defeat of Mackmen, 4 to 3.
New York Times (1857-1922). Jul 14,
1920. p. 19
CHAPMAN'S
HOMER MARKS 4-2 VICTORY; Four-Bagger Yields Two Runs as McCarthymen
Score Thrice in Big Inning. RUFFING CHECKS VISITORS Wins Pitchers'
Battle With Stewart, Though Latter Allows Five Hits to Seven Off Rival.
By JOHN DREBINGER..
New York Times (1923-Current file). Jul 13, 1932
Yankees
Top White Sox on Chapman's Homer in 11th; Giants and Dodgers Beaten
New York Times (1923-Current file). Jun
28, 1934. p. 28
CHAPMAN'S
HOMER HELPS REDS TO WIN; His Pinch Drive, With Cuyler on Base, Lost in
Sun by Scoffic -- Cards Bow, 7-6. RIGGS HITS FOR CIRCUIT Rally in Ninth
by St. Louis Is Checked When Collins Pops to Thevenow.
New York Times (1923-Current file). Apr
23, 1936. p. 27
TIGERS
SPLIT TWO WITH THE RED SOX; Chapman's Homer With Bases Filled Helps
Grove Score for Boston, 12-7 THEN DETROIT WINS, 4-1 York's 32d Circuit
Hit AidsGreenberg Gets Two Fourbaggers in Opener
New York Times (1923-Current file). Sep
22, 1937.
DEAN
TOPS RUFFING, 3-1, BEFORE 40,128; Athletics' Left-Hander Blanks Yanks
Till DiMaggio Scores After Doubling in Ninth CHAPMAN HOMER DECIDES Blow
in Seventh Bats Across Siebert, Who Makes 3 Hits, in Stadium Inaugural
FAMILIAR SCENES IN THE STADIUM WITH THE RETURN OF BASEBALL Athletics
Triumph Over Yankees In Opening Game at Stadium, 3-1
By JOHN DREBINGER.
New York Times (1923-Current file). Apr 16, 1941.
ATHLETICS
WIN, 5-3, AFTER 12-7 DEFEAT; Senators Take Free-Hitting
Opener--Chapman's Homer Sparks Curfew Rally
New York Times (1923-Current file). Aug
18, 1946. p. 85
Chapman's
Homer Wins
New York Times (1923-Current file). Apr
7, 1947. p. 27
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:05:38 -0700
From: jerryfriedman1@GMAIL.COM
Subject: Re: [NABOKV-L] Sighting: Baseball legend
To: NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU
I was glad the article gave credit to Michael Donohue, who pointed out on this list that the headline was invented.
Thanks to Matthew Roth for the Google News search. This headline from the Baltimore Sun in 1950 is a promising candidate for one that Nabokov might have noticed and decided to versify:
That was one Sam Chapman, not Ben. Not only was Ben Chapman a notorious racist, as Robert H. Boyle pointed out; he was also a notorious anti-semite.
Thus he ideally united two kinds of Prejudice. I wonder whether, when Nabokov chose the Red Sox for his fictitious Chapman's team, he had any idea that Ben Chapman had played for them and was known for his connection to this topic that Kinbote and Shade discuss.
Jerry Friedman
All private editorial communications, without
exception, are
read by both co-editors.