What was billed as a “steroid-free” comedy
benefit launched the 2005 Baseball Reliquary season in
uproarious style on Tuesday, March 29, at the Hollywood
Improv in Los Angeles, California. Organizers assured
those attending that all proceeds from ticket
sales went to support the nonprofit programs of the
Baseball Reliquary and that not a single penny went to
support the research of, or services provided by, the
Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative (BALCO).
A star-studded roster of comedians who have
distinguished themselves for years in stand-up,
television, radio, film, and theater stepped up to the
microphone and took their swings at the grand old game
and all that ails it. With test results of urinalysis
samples in hand [organizers guaranteed they were
steroid-free, but wouldn’t reveal what other substances
were found], those performing baseball-related routines,
anecdotes, and impersonations included Fred Willard,
Jack Riley, George Wendt, Greg Proops, John Caponera,
Dom Irrera, John Mendoza, Andy Kindler, Wayne Federman,
Paul Willson, Tom Tully, and members of Off the Wall,
Los Angeles’ longest-running improv collective. All
photos courtesy of Larry Goren. |