Myron Noodleman
Encyclopedia
Myron Noodleman is the stage name of Rick Hader, an American clown
best known for his appearances at minor league baseball
games and other public events. Since 2004, he has been billed as the fifth "Clown Prince of Baseball", following Arlie Latham
, Al Schacht
, Jackie Price
, and Max Patkin
. Rick Hader is the brother of screenwriter Matt Hader and the uncle of Saturday Night Live
cast member Bill Hader
and was a high school math teacher and football coach at Union High School
in Tulsa, Oklahoma
before he began his career as a clown.
in 1994, and honed his act through years of touring. Every summer he has performed at over 60 to 70 baseball parks across North America. He has been the celebrity attraction to numerous Nerd Night promotions. Myron's persona is reminiscent of the nerdy Jerry Lewis
characters of the 1960s: he can be manic and disruptive one moment, and patiently pantomimic the next. Between innings he performs sketches that involve players, umpires, groundskeepers and sometimes fans. One of his signature skits titled "Dueling Signals" is performed to music with a player or coach. It starts with Myron flashing a baseball coach's signal and is answered by his skit partner. The signals keep coming faster and faster until there is nothing left to do but break into some contemporary dance moves mixed with a little do-as-I-do. When each routine is over, Myron goes into the stands and moves among the fans providing impromptu comedy. He will help himself to a spectator's seat, refreshments, and even girlfriend.
In November 2004 Myron Noodleman was bestowed the title Clown Prince of Baseball by baseball administrator Roland Hemond
in a ceremony at the Mike Veeck Promotional Seminar at Hilton Head, South Carolina
. Hemond, now Executive Advisor to the General Manager of the Chicago White Sox
, once served as GM for the late Bill Veeck
(Mike's dad). Bill Veeck
was the one to place the title on the previous and best known Clown Prince of Baseball, Max Patkin
. Baseball's Hall of Fame
has yet to recognize Noodleman as heir to the Max Patkin legacy, though as of 2006 no rival claimant has disputed the title.
Clown
Clowns are comic performers stereotypically characterized by the grotesque image of the circus clown's colored wigs, stylistic makeup, outlandish costumes, unusually large footwear, and red nose, which evolved to project their actions to large audiences. Other less grotesque styles have also...
best known for his appearances at minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
games and other public events. Since 2004, he has been billed as the fifth "Clown Prince of Baseball", following Arlie Latham
Arlie Latham
Walter Arlington Latham was an American third baseman in Major League Baseball from -. He died in Garden City, New York, at the age of 92.-Personality:...
, Al Schacht
Al Schacht
Alexander "Al" Schacht was an American professional baseball player, coach, and, later, restaurateur. Schacht was a pitcher in the major leagues from 1919–21 for the Washington Senators.-Baseball career:...
, Jackie Price
Jackie Price
John Thomas Reid Price was a Major League Baseball shortstop who played in seven games for the Cleveland Indians during the 1946 Cleveland Indians season.-External links:...
, and Max Patkin
Max Patkin
Max Patkin was an American baseball player and clown, best known as the Clown Prince of Baseball ....
. Rick Hader is the brother of screenwriter Matt Hader and the uncle of Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
cast member Bill Hader
Bill Hader
William "Bill" Hader is an American actor, comedian, producer and writer. He is best known for his work as a creative consultant on the hit show South Park and as a cast member on Saturday Night Live and for his supporting roles in comedy films such as Superbad, Hot Rod, Tropic Thunder,...
and was a high school math teacher and football coach at Union High School
Union Public Schools
Union Public Schools is a public school district located in southeast Tulsa, and northwest Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The school district is the eleventh largest in Oklahoma. Union is notable among school districts in the area because Union does not encompass a particular city...
in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
before he began his career as a clown.
Performances
Hader's performances as Myron Noodleman began when showed up at a school football game in the late 80s dressed in full nerd regalia. After a few more trials, he hired an agent, attended the Baseball Winter MeetingsWinter meetings
The Baseball Winter Meetings are an annual event, held each December, attended by representatives from all 30 Major League Baseball organizations, more than 160 minor league baseball teams, various league offices, companies associated with baseball and guests from international baseball-playing...
in 1994, and honed his act through years of touring. Every summer he has performed at over 60 to 70 baseball parks across North America. He has been the celebrity attraction to numerous Nerd Night promotions. Myron's persona is reminiscent of the nerdy Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis is an American comedian, actor, singer, film producer, screenwriter and film director. He is best known for his slapstick humor in film, television, stage and radio. He was originally paired up with Dean Martin in 1946, forming the famed comedy team of Martin and Lewis...
characters of the 1960s: he can be manic and disruptive one moment, and patiently pantomimic the next. Between innings he performs sketches that involve players, umpires, groundskeepers and sometimes fans. One of his signature skits titled "Dueling Signals" is performed to music with a player or coach. It starts with Myron flashing a baseball coach's signal and is answered by his skit partner. The signals keep coming faster and faster until there is nothing left to do but break into some contemporary dance moves mixed with a little do-as-I-do. When each routine is over, Myron goes into the stands and moves among the fans providing impromptu comedy. He will help himself to a spectator's seat, refreshments, and even girlfriend.
In November 2004 Myron Noodleman was bestowed the title Clown Prince of Baseball by baseball administrator Roland Hemond
Roland Hemond
Roland Hemond is a longtime executive in Major League Baseball who in 2007 returned to the Arizona Diamondbacks as Special Assistant to the President, Derrick Hall...
in a ceremony at the Mike Veeck Promotional Seminar at Hilton Head, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. Hemond, now Executive Advisor to the General Manager of the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, once served as GM for the late Bill Veeck
Bill Veeck
William Louis Veeck, Jr. , also known as "Sport Shirt Bill", was a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a franchise owner and promoter in Major League Baseball. He was best known for his publicity stunts to raise attendance. Veeck was at various times the owner of the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis...
(Mike's dad). Bill Veeck
Bill Veeck
William Louis Veeck, Jr. , also known as "Sport Shirt Bill", was a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a franchise owner and promoter in Major League Baseball. He was best known for his publicity stunts to raise attendance. Veeck was at various times the owner of the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis...
was the one to place the title on the previous and best known Clown Prince of Baseball, Max Patkin
Max Patkin
Max Patkin was an American baseball player and clown, best known as the Clown Prince of Baseball ....
. Baseball's Hall of Fame
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
has yet to recognize Noodleman as heir to the Max Patkin legacy, though as of 2006 no rival claimant has disputed the title.
External links
- MyronNoodleman.com - Official website
- Baseball Hall of Fame - list of Crown Princes of Baseball
- Charleston Riverdogs Press Release - Myron Noodleman to be Named Baseball Clown Prince