SAN FRANCISCO BASEBALL

OLD TIMERS ASSOCIATION

(Established 1941)

FROM THE DUGOUT

June 2017 Edition
_______________________________
Officers Directors
Bob Fife (President) Bill DeMattei Jim Jarvis
Lou Landini (Vice President/Editor) Dave Longa Frank Brady
Ken Mooney (Treasurer) Paul Varni Nick Poppin
Donald Basso (Secretary) Bob Rizzo Cliff Righetti
Gary B ader (Membership Chairman) Bill Angel
Joe Marino (Sgt. At Arms) Leo Martinez (Health and Welfare)
Rich Murphy (Immediate Past President) Rich Ford (Golf Commissioner)

Editors Column
If you are looking for justice in this world, do not look for it in the sporting world. It
doesnt exist. Just ask the PGA Tour golfer who hits the perfect shot to a green
fronted by water, and his ball hits the flagstick and bounces into the drink.. Just ask
the NBA player who fires off a 3-point shot and watches the ball go into the hoop and
inexplicably spin out. Just ask the NFL kicker who hits a last second field goal right
on the button and as the ball nears the uprights, a gust of wind comes up out of
nowhere and blows the ball off-line. Just ask the NHL player who guns a shot from
the point and the puck hits the pipe of the goal and bounces off.
Baseball is full of injustices. A pitcher is working on a no-hitter and with two out in
the 9th inning and he absolutely saws off the batter with a 93 MPH cutter, but the
bloop that results falls in among the on-coming outfielder and the infielders busting
butt to get to the ball. Base hit, no-hitter gone, off a great pitch that blew up the bat.
Kinda unjust, right?
But what about a lot of other situations where you get away with something? Like
the pitcher who hangs a slider and the hitter pops it up. Or the hitter who hits an
absolute rocket right at a fielder for an out. Or the 12-hopper of the end of the bat
that sneaks its way up the middle between the shortstop and second baseman for a
seeing-eye base hit. The game of baseball has a way of evening out the breaks good
and bad.
Luck plays a huge part in baseball. Often a great pitch is punished by the bad hop or
ball lost in the lights. Just as often, great contact goes unrewarded as a shot right at

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somebody or by a fantastic defensive play. Baseball gives credence to that old saying
its better to be lucky than good! Next time you watch a ball game, count up the
bad pitches a pitcher gets away with and the good pitches he gets beaten on; or the
lousy swings that end up as base hits, or the bullet that gets caught. If Life aint fair,
neither is Sports!
Kathys Fund----Old Timers vs Alzheimers
Guys, Kathys Fund remains up and running. This battle against Alzheimers goes on
and so does the amazing generosity of the Old Timers. At the May dinner, we
collected $93 in cash, along with very generous checks from Brother Old Timers Cliff
Righetti ($100) and Nick Shihadeh ($50). bringing our donations to $1907 just since
we started this campaign last August. Each and every dollar we send off to the
Alzheimers Association will make a difference. To all you contributors, the
Alzheimers Association sends its appreciation.
Get Your Newsletter by E-Mail
The cost of postage just went up!! So we would urge those members who have e-mail
to sign up by sending me a message at INSPLFL225@HOTMAIL.COM and well add you
to the list. It is estimated that the current cost for a mailed copy is $1.60, so with
110 members on the e-maiI system, we are saving about $176 a month, which works
out to about $2100 a year. Thats a nice savings for the SFBOTA.
Important Dates Department
June 13, 2017---The monthly dinner at the Irish Cultural Center, with Pasta with
Meat Sauce featured on the menu, will begin with Lubrication Hour at 6:00 PM and
Comestible Consumption at 7:00. If his health permits, Emil Ruggiero will give a
demonstration of Italian Pole Dancing for a small fee, of course.
June 17, 2017---A special event: The California Coaches Association Annual Awards
Dinner, at which our own Brother Old Timer John Donohue will again be honored,
This dinner will be held in Sacramento. Anyone interested in attending can call CCA
official Rob Grialou at 650-341-2484 for event and ticket information, or you can
visit the CCA website at www.calcoachesassociation.net
June 21, 2017---The monthly gathering of the Marino Pieretti Group will take place
at the fabled Nicks Seashore Restaurant in Pacifica. Group Leader Dave Longa will
deliver a lecture on the social graces in the bar starting at 11:00 and will continue
lecturing in the main dining room to all the tourists while the rest of us go into the
banquet room at 12:00 for what will be a great lunch at a great venue.
SPECIAL NOTE---July 11, 2017---This is the annual Lunch Day for Kids, Grandkids,
Nieces, Nephews etc. at 12:00 Noon. The menu will include Hot Dogs, Beans and
Corn on the Cob. Its always a special day to have the Youngsters with us.
July 19, 2017---The monthly Marino Pieretti Group lunch will take place at the South
San Francisco Elks Lodge, with adult beverages being dispensed at 11:00 and a fine
lunch served at 12:00. A puppet show will be put on by Emil Ruggiero during the
meal, and the puppets will call out the raffle ticket numbers after lunch.
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 Golf News
The next event will be on June 19, 2017 at Monarch Bay in San Leandro, beginning at
9:00 AM, and it will be a Scramble Format on a very challenging layout.
-----
And here are the Closest to the Hole results from the May outing at Foxtails North
Course:
3rd Hole---Forward Tees (1) Ed Grech 12-10 (2) Leo Martinez 16-0
Back Tees (1) Rick Baptista 4-4 (2) Ron Restani 14-4
6th Hole---Forward Tees (1) Larry Ratti 12-3 (2) Leo Martinez 13-1
Back Tees (1) Dan Merolla 18-8 (2) Ron Belli 32-10
13th Hole---Forward Tees (1) Jim Reed 20-2 (2) Nobody
Back Tees (1) Paul Varni 15-3 (2) Ron Belli 17-2
15th Hole---Forward Tees (1) Rod Rodriguez 8-10 (2) Gil Ybarra 12-0
Back Tees (1) Joe Matranga 9-5 (2) Brad Kearns 9-6
Words of Wisdom
Only Irish Coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: Alcohol,
Caffeine, Sugar and Fat. Alex Levine
In Memoriam
With great sadness we must report that Brother Old Timer Gene Caputo and former
Old Timer Ben Cardinale have passed away. May they rest in eternal peace, and may
their Families be comforted in their times of sorrow.
On the Mend
We are always distressed to report a number of Members on the DL each month. This
months list: Tony Boyadzis, Bob Martinez, Charlie Silvera, Clarence Grider, Don
Collopy, Jerry Big Sully Sullivan, Hal Fox, Gerry DeRyan, Ron Castro and Larry
Nissim. Lets get all these guys back on the field.
Continuing on this list is Jim Dowd, who is making a comeback from a serious
illness. Friends who would like to visit Jim are reminded to call first to make sure he
is up to receiving well-wishers.
Frank Brady has joyously been kicked off the DL and is back to his own ornery self.
A very recent addition to this list, as reported by Jim Jarvis, is venerable Past
President Pete Dalton, who sustained a serious injury in a fall on his way to Southern
California. Pete spent several days in ICU but has been released and is resting at
home. Petes beautiful wife Rosemary has confirmed he is doing well but is still being
monitored by his doctors. Get well and we all hope to see you soon, Pete!

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A continuing reminder: Jim Perry remains on the DL at Laguna Honda Home. Jim is
brightened up by cards and letters addressed to him at Laguna Honda Home, 375
Laguna Honda Blvd, Building 1 North, Room 133A, San Francisco, Calif. 94116. Jim
has sent a letter saying how much he appreciates the devoted support of the
SFBOTA.
You Know Youre an Old Timer When
---you feel like the morning after, even if you didnt go anywhere the night before.
---you dont care where your wife goes, as long as you dont have to go with her.
---your supply of brain cells is finally down to a manageable size.
---you wake up looking like your drivers license picture.

Bobbie Mitchell Scores Again

Bobbie bought a nice little place in the country but there was a stand of about 50
trees that blocked his view so he decided to cut them down and sell the wood. So
Bob goes to town and the guy at the hardware store sells him a chain saw and tells
him that hell be able to cut down 25 trees a day. So Bobbie scurries off to get to
work. (If you have ever seen Bobbie scurry, it aint pretty.) Three days later, Nick
Poppin stops by to visit and he finds Bobbie in a chair on the front porch, totally
exhausted and with huge blisters on his hands. Nick asked whats going on and
Bobbie tells him about buying this saw, and how the guy told him he could cut down
25 trees a day, and how he worked like a junkyard dog the last two days and could
only cut down two little saplings. Nick said Let me see the saw. So Bobbie pointed
Nick to the shed, and Nick went in and took the saw, pulled the cord and the saw
barked to life.
Nick went back to the porch and Bobbie asked, Nick, what was that noise that
sounded like a motor? Nick got in his car, went home, had a stiff drink and changed
his phone number.
A Special Note from Don and Connie Benedetti
Don and Connie have a fine young grandson in Whaylen Price, who is following in the
Benedetti Family tradition of baseball and is an assistant coach at Mission College in
Santa Clara. Coach Price also manages a summer collegiate league team, the Palo
Alto Oaks, and the quality of play in that league is very good. Anyone interested in
taking in some games can see the Oaks play at Baylands Park in Palo Alto, or two
road games as indicated, on these days:
06/11/17, double header at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM
06/18/17, double header at 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM
06/22/17, single game at 11:00 AM (away game at College Park HS, Pleasant Hill)
06/25/17, single game at 11:00 AM (away game at San Leandro Park, San Leandro)
(We will provide more dates for July games in the next edition of this publication.)

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 Rogues Gallery

The 2017 Ultimate Old Timer Man of the Year Recipient Rich
Frank Brady, fresh off the DL Murphy, fresh from his stint as
and back in action! Great to the 2016 Old Timers President
have you back, Frank!! and looking for a song to sing!

Man of the Year Recipient Kris

Kimball, a dedicated Old Timer
who does so much for us with
no fanfare. Kris is a genuine
unsung hero.
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 Brother Old Timer Paul Brother Old Timer Nick
Giambra at his richly deserved Poppin at the SF Prep Hall of
induction into the prestigious Fame, accepting the
SF Prep Hall of Fame. A great induction for his former
honor for a great guy! teammate, the late Ernie
Evans, a fantastic pitcher!

The latest Green Jacket

recipient, Eddie Rodriguez,
honored at the May 17, 2017
luncheon at Dominics.
Welcome aboard, Eddie!

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 Thank You Once Again and Always to Our Loyal Sponsors
DEE MURATORE, MURATORE GENERAL CONTRACTOR & CABINET MAKER
2825 Phelps St, SF 94124; 415-826-1220; www.muratorecorp.com

DENNIS DICKEY, 1st CHOICE MORTGAGE AND REALTY

1553 Second Street, Napa 94559 707-252-2400 dennis@realtorcite.com

ROB FIFE, 729 SOLUTIONS

1618 Sullivan Ave, Suite 535, Daly City 94115 650-755-7049

GERI CAMPANA, AL GRAF BAIL BONDS

859 Bryant St, SF 94013 415-431-3333

ERNEST CHUCKAYALA, AYALA REAL ESTATE

532 Castro Street, SF 94114 415-861-0704 ecayala@aol.com

ROGER MINHANDO, CHALET BASQUE RESTAURANT

405 No. San Pedro Rd, San Rafael 94901 415-479-1070 chaletbasque@hotmail.com

LOREN A. KERTZ, CHARLES SCHWAB CO.

403 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera 94925 415-945-6408 loren.a.kertz@schwab.com

JOE MARINO, COLUMBUS CAF

562 Green St, SF 94133 415-326-3088

FRANK J. PISA BARBER SHOP

5 Civic Center Lane, Millbrae 94030 650-697-0736

PAUL NAVARRO, LUCETIS RESTAURANT

109 W. 25th Avenue, San Mateo 94403 650-574-1256 or 650-458-6550 lucetis.com

GREG RIGHETTI, MARIN LOCK & SAFE

808 Third St, San Rafael 94901 415-456-4346 marinlockandsafe@gmail.com

MARK BENEDETTI INSURANCE

199 California Dr, Suite 702,Millbrae 94030 650-697-2044 mbinsuru@hotmail.com

NICK DUTTO, METROPOLITAN ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION, INC.

2400 Third St, SF 94107 415-642-3002 ndutto@metroelectric.com

CHUCK GUST, NICKS SEASHORE RESTAURANT

100 Rockaway Avenue, Pacifica 94044 650-359-3900 www.nicksrestaurant.net

RAY McDONALD, PERSONAL AWARDS CO.

1842 E. 3rd Avenue, San Mateo 94401 650-558-0860 pawards@pacbell.net

TOM LaTORRE, SABELLA & LaTORRE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

#3 Fishermans Wharf, SF 94133 415-673-2824

SAN FRANCISCO FIREFIGHTERS TOY PROGRAM

Leo Martinez, Al McCarthy, Vince Tudoni. Rich Blackburn, Skip McKinney, George Schnapp,
Jim McCoy, Art Citron, Dan Jacobsmeyer, Brian Kearney, Ray Molinari

TOM CREEDIN, SCOMAS RESTAURANT

Pier 47, Fishermans Wharf, SF 94133 415-771-4383

MARLENE VOGELSANG, SOCIETY for AMERICAN BASEBALL RESEARCH (SABR)

510-589-8523 mvogelsang@sbcglobal.net
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 THOMAS J. BRANDI, THE BRANDI LAW FIRM
354 Pine St, 3rd Floor, SF 94104 415-989-1800 tjb@brandilaw.com

DAVE LONGA,
THE MARINO PIERETTI GROUP

TERESA MOORE, THE UNITED IRISH CULTURAL CENTER

2700-45th Avenue, SF 94116 415-661-2494 UICCBanquets@yahoo.com

JAR OF GOLD
Fellow Old Timers Jim Jarvis, Bill Difu & Ernie Golding

THE GRIDER FAMILY

RETIRED SAN FRANCISCO FIREFIGHTERS

Nick Cannuli, Bill DeMattei, Mel Canevaro, Jim OConnor, Don Dennehy, Bob Moser,
Milt Panagotacos, Mike Pera, Jack Bonnici, Roger Bross, Frank Kelly

DANIEL DUGGAN, DUGGANS SERRA MORTUARY

500 Westlake Av, Daly City 94014 650-756-4500 dan@duggansserra.com

TABLE 6 (TRUCK)
Hank Sanchez, Al McCarthy, Art Citron, Jim OConnor, Larry Lawson, Jim Dowd, George Schnapp

ALUMNI of BALBOA HIGH SCHOOL

Emily Powell, Nick Poppin, Bob Mitchell, Gene Hartje and Elliot Bart Bartholomew

THE BALL TEAM

The Late Frank Strazzullo, The Late John Alameda, Mike Bagdon, Rich Ford, Con Maloney, Billy Jones,
Art White, Ken Mooney and Big Sully

THE 1956 BIG 8 CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP BASEBALL TEAM

Bob Bandetini, Glen Buckowatz, Ron Castro, Ken Dito, Russ Fadelf, Roger Ferrari, Lew Flores,
Fred Glosser, Blair LeMire, John McCarthy, Larry Nielsen, Larry Nissim, Jim Poppin,
Fred Quinn, Ray Waruman, Frank Cic Williams, Vince Bud Williams

ANONYMOUS DONOR
Thanks Old Timers---Your Monthly Newsletter Is A Great Read

WILLIAM DeMATTEI
Fellow Old Timer

ALUMNI OF MISSION HIGH SCHOOL

Vince Belli, Eddie Gutierrez, Joe Blea, Steve Riordan and the late Terry Roach

June Trivia Questions

May Trivia Answers
1) Who holds the record for most RBI in one game, and how
!) First Guy on a Wheaties Box? many? (Hint: two guys hold the record.)
Lou Gehrig (1934)
2) What rookie hit 7 home runs in his first 6 games in the big
2) Shortest game in MLB history? leagues, and for which team?
9 innings in 51 minutes