Stone was the first of three women to play professional baseball as a part of the Negro LeagueGETTY IMAGES
An upcoming Off-Broadway play will follow the story of MARCENIA LYLE STONE, known as TONI, who became the "first woman ever to play big-league professional baseball" with the Negro Leagues’ Indianapolis Clowns in 1953. In "TONI STONE," now in previews, playwright LYDIA R. DIAMOND "aims to correct the injustice that Stone isn’t as culturally ubiquitous" as JACKIE ROBINSON, SATCHEL PAIGE or LARRY DOBY (N.Y. TIMES, 6/12).
COURT REPORT: Bears and Packers season-ticket holder RUSSELL BECKMAN's lawsuit against the Bears is over after he had sued the team in federal court because it "would not allow him to wear Packers clothing during a pregame program for Bears season-ticket holders" in December '16. Beckman in a statement said, "The ultimate outcome of this litigation will remain unresolved" (GREENBAYPRESSGAZETTE.com, 6/11).
NAMES: The Cal football program announced a "seven figure gift" from AARON RODGERS that will be "used to renovate the locker room and create the Aaron Rodgers Football Scholarship." The renovation is "expected to be completed in time" for the '19 season (MERCURYNEWS.com, 6/11)....Frisco-based oil and gas company Comstock, which is controlled by Cowboys Owner JERRY JONES, has reached an agreement to buy Covey Park Energy in a $2.2B cash and stock deal (AP, 6/11)....PHL Sports yesterday presented recently retired Temple basketball coach FRAN DUNPHY with the John Wanamaker Athletic Award "for the way he's represented Philadelphia during his 30-year career" coaching in the city (INQUIRER.com, 6/11)....PAUL PIERCE has launched "The Truth CBD Remedies" in partnership with Eaze Wellness. The line of CBD offerings meant to "treat trouble sleeping, stress and pain relief" includes a "vaporizer battery, Vesper, and cartridge line" (MASSLIVE.com, 6/11)....Former NHLer THEO FLEURY partnered with mental health support app iRel8 to create "Theo’s Room," a forum where he will "chat with users about his experience surviving abuse” (SPORTTECHIE.com, 6/11).
IN MEMORY: Univ. of Memphis football and basketball radio host FORREST GOODMAN died Monday. Goodman joined the school’s broadcast team in ’99 (COMMERCIALAPPEAL.com, 6/11).
