SAN FRANCISCO BASEBALL

OLD TIMERS ASSOCIATION

(Established 1941)

“FROM THE DUGOUT”

April 2018 Edition
_______________________________
Officers Directors
Lou Landini (President/Editor) Bill DeMattei Mike Bagdon
Jim Jarvis (Vice President) Dave Longa Frank Brady
Ken Mooney (Treasurer) Paul Varni Nick Poppin
Donald Basso (Secretary) Bob Rizzo Cliff Righetti
Gary B ader (Membership Chairman) Bob Mitchell Bill Angel
Joe Marino (Sgt. At Arms) Rich Murphy Rich Ford (Golf)
Bob Fife (Immediate Past President) Leo Martinez (Health & Welfare)

Editor’s Column
The World is now back in order! The 2018 Baseball Season has finally arrived and off
we go. But the Giants have started the year in a weird way. First, Madison
Bumgarner got hit on his pitching hand by a batted ball during a spring training game
and sustained an injury that will keep him on the DL until maybe June or July. Wait,
there’s more. Giants starter Jeff Samardzija comes up with a muscle strain that put
him on the DL to start the season although his return is expected fairly soon. And
another blow came with high-priced closer Mark Melancon going down with more
forearm issues that have plagued him since last year. This put the closer’s hat on
Hunter Strickland, who’s got great stuff but he can get a little wild and also get hit
hard.
So as of this writing, the Giants opened the season with a 4-game series in LA against
the Dodgers. Now it gets really weird! The Giants beat Clayton Kershaw 1-0 on
Opening Night on a Joe Panik homerun. The next night they beat the Dodgers again
1-0 on another Panik HR, this time against long-time relief nemesis Kenley Jansen.
And Strickland got both saves. Not bad, 2-0 to start the year. Not weird enough for
ya? The Local Guys then proceed to lose the next two by being shut out by some
very good Dodger pitching. So you gotta admit, going 2-2 on a road trip to Dodger
Land is pretty good, but to do that while scoring only two runs is really weird! I have
a feeling that 2018 is going to be a verrrrry weird season.

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On a great note, according to Brother Old Timer Milt Panagotacos, Giants hitting
coach Alonzo Powell, a product of Lincoln High School, is recovering well from a
serious condition and is on full duty with the Giants! Go get ‘em, Alonzo!
Kathy’s Fund----Old Timers vs Alzheimer’s
Guys, Kathy’s Fund remains in full force, and this battle against Alzheimer’s is really
getting hot. At the March dinner meeting we collected $145.00 in cash which is a
fantastic amount. But again, we have some incredible generosity to mention in the
form of a $50 check from Brother Old Timer Bill Davis and his wonderful wife
Claudia.
Since the beginning of our initial campaign “Old Timers vs Alzheimers” and now
known as “Kathy’s Fund,” we have now topped the $4000 mark in donations, and we
are officially at $4213. Each and every dollar we send off to the Alzheimer’s
Association will make a difference. To all you contributors, the Alzheimer’s
Association sends its appreciation. And those Old Timers whose lives have been so
terribly altered by this brutal disease repeatedly extend their thanks to all who
contribute toward the ultimate victory over Alzheimer’s.
Get Your Newsletter by E-Mail
We are building quite a list of monthly e-mail subscribers at a tremendous saving to
the SFBOTA. Our present estimate is at approximately $2200 per year. So we would
urge those members who have e-mail to sign up by sending me a message at
INSPLFL225@HOTMAIL.COM and we’ll add you to the e-mail distribution list.
Special Notes Department
25-Year Membership Pins: the following loyal and dedicated Old Timers who have
reached the milestone of 25 continuous years of membership in the SFBOTA are
eligible to receive their commemorative pins for this achievement---Mark Benedetti,
Al Bianchi, Rich Dalton, Mike Lombardo, Mario Monterosso, George Mutto, Pete
Pompei and Tom Taylor. (If you have been left off this list in error, please give
Treasurer Ken Mooney a call at 650-355-3667.) You can pick up your pin at a
monthly meeting, or reach out to Ken or your editor (at 650-756-1302) and we’ll get
it to you somehow.
The New Pisa Alumni Society---Repeat Announcement
We have started this new and exclusive sponsorship group, and here’s how you can
qualify for membership: 1) If you played for any New Pisa Team; 2) if you played
against any New Pisa Team; 3) if you thought about playing for any New Pisa Team;
4) if you ate a meal at the New Pisa; 5) if you worked at the New Pisa; 6) if you walked
by the New Pisa; 7) if you are Italian, ever wanted to be Italian, or are glad you are
not Italian; 8) if you ever met Dante Benedetti, Don Benedetti or any Benedetti
Family member; 9) if you ever got chewed out by Dante; 10) if you played at USF
whether or not for Dante; 11) or if you just want to be part of this very elite group.
To join, send a check for $10 made out to the SF BASEBALL OLD TIMERS
ASSOCIATION, and on the memo line, note “New Pisa Alumni,” and mail it to: LOU
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LANDINI, 208 FOREST PARK DRIVE, PACIFICA, CA 94044. Your $10 will get you
listed in the Sponsorship Section of this newsletter as a NPAS member throughout
2018, and will benefit the Old Timers. And then we’ll do it all again in succeeding
years! Be the first kid on your block to sign up!
2018 Membership Dues
Membership Chairman Gary Bader has reported an excellent response from the guys
in getting their 2018 dues paid up. And Gary, on behalf of the Old Timers, would like
to thank and acknowledge the following members who included voluntary
contributions to the Scholarship Fund when they paid their dues:
George Acri Mark Allen Bill Angel Gary Attell George Bacigalupi
Gary Bader John Bagatelos Hank Barron Kevin Berry Tony Basques
Elliot Bartholomew Grant Becker Len Belaski Ron Belli Duncan Benas
Rich Blackburn Jack Bonnici Frank Brady Bob Brandi Larry Bravo
Bob Brohn Roger Bross Steve Callahan Mel Canevaro Tony Cannizzo
Vic Cipparone Art Citron Bill Collins Don Callopy Rene Courpet
Bob Daley Pete Dalton Rich Dalton Frank Damon Bill Davis
Ed DeBrincat Pete Deguara Jim Deignan Skip DelSarto Bill DeMattei
Don Dennehy Denis Devlin Bill Difu Jim Dowd Jere Driscoll
Stephen Driscoll Alan Dworkin Stu Etzler Don Farber Ron Fassler
Bob Fife Dan Giese Ron Gleeson Ernie Golding Ed Grech
Joe Grech Len Grilli Joe Gualco Eddie Gutierrez Gene Hartje
Gary Hughes Jim Jarvis Bill Jessen Steve Kavanaugh Brian Kearney
Phil Kelber Loren Kertz Jim Kirby Bill Kirkpatrick Mike Koppel
Milt LaHonta Lou Landini Joe Lavin Larry Lawson Bob Lee
John Leonard John LeTourneau Rich Lindelli Mario Lombardi David Lopez
Bill Magidson Con Maloney Leo Martinez Mario Maso George Matranga
Joe Matranga Bob McCullough Ray McDonald Dick Morosi Bob Moser
Dee Muratore Rich Murphy Paul Navarro Larry Nissim Vince Nocito
Terry Norton Jim O’Connor Ed Paulus Frank Pisa Nick Poppin
Jim Potts ($200!!) George Quinn Tony Ragusa Henry Ratti Jim Reed
Jim Regan Bob Restani Tony Ribera Cliff Righetti Steve Riordan
Bob Rizzo Rodney Rodriguez Tony Rodriguez Jim Rufini Frank Ruggiero
Henry Sanchez Don Schaffer George Schnapp Mike Silvestri Mike Simon ($500!!)
Carl Spirz Tom Taylor Vince Tudoni Pat Twomey Paul Varni
Tom Venezia John Ward Pat Ward Bud Williams Woody Woodall

And, we take a moment to extend a special acknowledgment to Dee Muratore for her
continuing loyalty to and support of the Old Timers in memory of her husband Rich,
a great guy and world-class Old Timer. Thank you so much, Dee, for all you do for us.
(And if you made a donation but you are not listed herein, let us know and we’ll
acknowledge your contribution next month.)
Important Dates Department
Tuesday, April 10, 2018---our monthly gathering will as usual take place at the Irish
Cultural Center, with cocktails at 6:00 PM and dinner at 7:00. It will be Guest Night,
and the menu item will be Ham. Emil Ruggiero is rumored to be planning a
demonstration of Sardinian line-dancing backed up by a platoon of Corsican kazoo
players. If Emil can’t find any Sardinians or Corsicans, he’ll handle both ends of the
performance.
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Wednesday, April 18, 2018---the monthly Marino Pieretti Lunch Group floats back up
the hill to the South San Francisco Elks Club, beginning with an outdoor high-
temperature cooking demonstration by Ken Mooney in the bar, with recipes from the
Neptune Society BBQ Cookbook, beginning at 11:00 AM with lunch at 12:00.
Tuesday, May 8, 2018---our monthly dinner meeting will be once again, like
clockwork, at the Irish Cultural Center, and the menu will feature pot roast. The
evening will start with cocktails at 6:00 PM and Bobbie Mitchell will give a lecture on
the health benefits of carrots while he sells raffle tickets with Nick Poppin. (At any
dinner, if carrots are served and you don’t like ‘em, bring ‘em over to Bobbie. He
LOVES carrots!)
Wednesday, May 16, 2018---the Marino Pieretti Lunch Group slides over to Dominic’s
ay Oyster Point for the usual superb meal and abundant cocktails. At Dominic’s, Dave
Longa assumes the persona of Commodore of the Old Timers’ Yachting and Cricket
Society, and he will give a lecture, complete with color slides, on “How to Operate a
Sailboat in Heavy Seas without Losing Your Latest Meal.”
Friday, May 25, 2018---The Annual Ultimate Old Timer and Men of the Year Dinner
will be at Nick’s, honoring Bill Jones as the Ultimate Old Timer, and Men of the Year
Jack Scramaglia and Bob Fife. (A flyer for the event is included in this newsletter.)
Do NOT miss this event---Gary Bader does a bang-up job of putting on this fantastic
event each year, and it just keeps getting better and better. So mark your calendar!
We Need a Recruitment Drive---Repeat Announcement
Honorable Fellow Old Timers, you all know the stark fact that “we ain’t getting any
younger!” So, the SFBOTA is encouraging all you members to start recruiting
friends, relatives, friends of relatives or relatives of friends to join our fabled group.
We are a living history book, but we run the risk of running out of pages. Let’s make
sure this doesn’t happen on our watch!!
Golf News
As reported by Golf Commissioner Rich Ford, here are the closest to the hole results
for the March outing at Moffett Field Golf Course:
5th Hole---Forward Tees (1) Tony Rodriguez 19-7 (2) Rich Ford 20-0
Back Tees: Nobody
7th Hole---Forward Tees (1) Ken Mooney 5-11 (2) G. Colombo 13-1
Back Tees (1) Paul Navarro 10-8 (2) Dean Asimos 13-2
13th Hole---Forward Tees (1) Leo Martinez 7-11 (2) Bill Angel 23-5
Back Tees (1) Bob Daley 21-7 (2) Ron Belli 39-2
15th Hole---Forward Tees (1) Rich Ford 14-7 (2) Nobody
Back Tees (1) Greg Robinson 21-0 (2) Ron Belli 26-5
***The next outings are April 9 at Alameda and May 14 at Foxtail North.***
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 Words of Wisdom
“Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people only once a year.” Victor Borge
In Memoriam
While at press time we have fortunately not suffered the loss of a Brother Old Timer,
we are saddened to report the passing of two wonderful people. As brought to the
attention of the news staff by Past President and Ultimate Old Timer Ernie Golding,
Mrs. Dolores Gaggero has died. Dolores was the widow of legendary umpire Joe
Gaggero.
And as reported by another Past President and Ultimate Old Timer, Leo Martinez, a
true legend of the college baseball coaching fraternity, Augie Garrido, passed away of
natural causes in Southern California at age 79. Augie was the winningest coach in
college baseball history and a friend to many Old timers.
The Old Timers extend their prayers and condolences to the Gaggero and Garrido
Families.
On the Mend
It always makes your news staff very unhappy to report Members who are on the DL
each month. This month’s list: Ron Lerohl, Steve Kavanaugh, Mike Maffei, Bob
Martinez, Charlie Silvera, Don Collopy, Gene Hartje, Chuck Bonnici and long-time Old
Timer Bill McCullough. Let’s get all these guys back on the field and cleared for a
return to the starting line-up soon! Director Bill Angel is still battling a serious
illness, but my money is in Bill to recover because he’s SF Tough!
Also, Don Benedetti’s wonderful wife Connie is making good progress in recovering
from surgery following a fall at home. We send our prayers and best wishes for
Connie’s complete recovery. She is a magnificent, kind and gentle person.
We also wish a full and speedy recovery to Doris Fox.
Continuing on this list is Jim Dowd, who continues making progress in his 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, and count on seeing him after 1:00
PM.
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
really loves it when he hears from his Brother Old Timers.
You Know You’re an Old Timer When…
---a Highway Patrol Officer sighs and shakes his head, but doesn’t give you a ticket.
---you find yourself scouting for a warmer place to spend the long, cold winters.
---you are no longer considered to have “potential.”
---you hit each club in your golf bag, from driver to wedge, the same distance.
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 It’s Bobbie Mitchell Time Again!!
Bobbie and his long-suffering running mate Nick Poppin were on a drive through Napa
County on Hwy 29, when Bobbie gets stopped by a CHP Officer. Bobbie asks what the
problem was, and the officer politely states “Sir, you were driving 29 mph in the fast
lane, where the speed limit is 65.” Bobbie says, “Well, the green sign back there said
29.” And the officer replies, “Sir, that sign tells you that you are on Hwy 29, and does
not direct you to drive 29 mph.” Now the officer notices that Nick is shaking and is
as pale as a ghost, so the officer asks Nick “What is the matter, Sir?” And Nick tells
the officer, “We just got off Hwy 121.” (Bobbie took Drivers Ed at Balboa, you know.)

Rogues’ Gallery

The Whalen Irish Dancers performed for the Old Timers at

our March 13 dinner meeting. These kids are so very
talented and dedicated to preserving Irish art and culture.
And special recognition must go to the parents, coaches
and sponsors of these magnificent youngsters for keeping
such a wonderful tradition alive and well. These kids bring
a lot of joy to the Old Timers every year, for which we are
truly grateful. Thank you, kids!!

Featured guests at the Marino Pieretti Lunch Group

on March 21 were Emily “Queen of Balboa” Powell
(left) and Robin Grider (right), daughter of the late
and legendary Old Timer Clarence Grider. Both
ladies are staunch supporters of the Old Timers and
The Friends of Marino Pieretti, so expect to see
them again! (That is Leo Martinez in the
background, planning his next hole-in-one!)

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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

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

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 CAFÉ

562 Green St, SF 94133 415-326-3088

FRANK J. PISA BARBER SHOP

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

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, NICK’S SEASHORE RESTAURANT

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

TOM LaTORRE, SABELLA & LaTORRE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

#3 Fisherman’s Wharf, SF 94133 415-673-2824

SAN FRANCISCO FIREFIGHTERS TOY PROGRAM

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

TOM CREEDIN, SCOMA’S RESTAURANT

Pier 47, Fisherman’s Wharf, SF 94133 415-771-4383

MARLENE VOGELSANG, SOCIETY for AMERICAN BASEBALL RESEARCH (SABR)

510-589-8523 mvogelsang@sbcglobal.net

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 415-661-2495 UICCBanquets@yahoo.com

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

THE GRIDER FAMILY

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 RETIRED SAN FRANCISCO FIREFIGHTERS
Nick Cannuli, Bill DeMattei, Mel Canevaro, Jim O’Connor, Don Dennehy, Bob Moser,
Milt Panagotacos, Mike Pera, Jack Bonnici, Roger Bross, Frank Kelly

DANIEL DUGGAN, DUGGAN’S SERRA MORTUARY

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

TABLE 6 (TRUCK)
Hank Sanchez, the late Al McCarthy, Art Citron, Jim O’Connor, Larry Lawson, Jim Dowd, George
Schnapp, and Rich Blackburn

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 the late Jerry “Big Sully” Sullivan

THE 1956 BIG 8 CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP BASEBALL TEAM

Bob Bandettini, Glen Buckowitz, Ron Castro, Ken Dito, Russ Fadeef, Roger Ferrari, Lew Flores,
Fred Glosser, Blair LeMire, the Late Legendary John McCarthy, Pete Nielsen, Larry Nissim, Jim
Poppin, Fred Quinn, the late Ray Warman, the Late and Great Frank “Cic” Williams, Victor “Bud”
Williams

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

WILLIAM DeMATTEI
Fellow Old Timer

ALUMNUS OF MISSION HIGH SCHOOL

Eddie Gutierrez

RETIRED SAN FRANCISCO DEPUTY SHERIFFS

Bill Angel, Jim Mullan, Ron Lim, Al Dworkin, Paul Varni, Mike Koppel and Jim Deignan

HAT TRICK RACING

Grant Becker, Troy Onorato, Pat Ward and Marvin Cortes

NEW PISA ALUMNI SOCIETY

Bobbie Mitchell, Paul Giambra, Roger Strack, Mike Dunne, Lou Landini, Roldan Vigil, Frances
Benedetto (wife of Roldan Vigil), Ron Belli, Tom Brandi, Nick Poppin, Joe Gualco, Gary Bader,
Nick Cannuli, Jim Jarvis, Bill Angel, Rich Murphy, Bob Fife, Tad Tassone, Al Dworkin, the
Honorable Judge Quentin Kopp, Stu Etzler, Nick Shihadeh, Rich Ford, Leo Martinez, Joe
Marino, Bill DeMattei, Donald Basso, Mike Bagdon, Rudy Bertolozzi, Jim Perry, Gary Hughes,
Pat Sullivan

Answers to the March Trivia Questions:
1) 1st AL player to homer in his first MLB at bat?
Luke Stuart on 8/9/1921 for the St. Louis Brown
2) 1st MLB pitcher to reach 300 wins?
Pud Galvin, who was elected to the Hall of Fame in
1965
April’s Trivia Questions presented by Guest
Contributor Jim Perry!
1) Which Oakland A’s player hit home runs in his first
two World Series at-bats?
2) Which team was the first to lose three World Series
in a row, and what were the years?
(Jim, these are tough questions!!)