February 2015

74th President Grilli Promises Changes in Protocol

Crab Feed and Golf Dinner Immerce Successes
The Changing of the Guard
utgoing President John LeTourneau took the time to
thank each and every one of his Board of Directors in
a heartfelt thanks for the support and assistance given
him in his term of office. John is no stranger to local politics
having served on the Parks and
Recreation Commission during
his tenure with the City. But
despite a hard nose approach to
city government John showed a
great deal of compassion to the
Association he served so well in
2014 and was very appreciative
of all the good comments and
feedback he received. During
Johns tenure he was responsible
for reaching out to members and
their requests to have lunches in
conjunction with the long standing dinner meetings. He recogJohn LeTourneau
nized that many of the members
73rd President
are no longer able to drive at
night and was a strong advocate for holding lunch meetings.
Because of his compassion for needy members the Board of
Directors approved at least two luncheon meetings for this
year.
And, as John was retiring in comes the new President Len
Grilli, who upon taking the gavel candidly stated, I was
quoted in the newsletter that I plan to make cosmetic changes
this year in how the Association is perceived, he noted.
And that doesnt necessarily mean Im going to be wearing
lipstick every other month. President Grilli said he would
like to create more scholarships for the Ardizoia/Grider fund
that provides scholarship money towards the student athletes
college tuition. He also wants to bring the group together and
cater to those members who have physical problems and cannot attend night meetings. And he added, Just because I
have a military background we are not going military although some
well timed
push-ups
might do the
trick.
The newly incoming officers and
Board of directors were
sworn in and
vowed to work

for the betterment of the Association and its members.

Pictured below from left to right are the Board and Officers:
Con Maloney, Rich Murphy, Bob Fife, Len Grilli, John
McCarthy, Ray McDonald, Cliff Righetti, Joe Marino, Vince
Belli, Rich Ford, Ken Mooney, Bill De Mattei, Dave Longa,
Nick Poppin and Gary Bader.
Board Meeting Notes
Treasurer Ken Mooney reported that the Association has
done very well with investments made the past year and our
account is solvent and going into the new year as financially
fit as its ever been. Membership chairman Gary Bader
stated that as of this meeting there were 143 paid members
meaning that we are about half filled to our capacity. Later
during dinner he collected another 49 dues checks so at this
point we are well above the number we want to be at this
time. And, he noted that more than $3,000 has been pledged
towards the scholarship fund which is an amazing gesture by
the membership.
Golf Chairman Rich Ford indicated that the awards dinner
was very well attended and several awards were passed out
to winners of the golf outings plus honorary plaques given to
deserving recipients. Next year the award presentation will
be at a luncheon rather than an evening dinner. The new season will begin this year with the first outing on Monday April
13 at the Alameda Golf Course. Apparently Rich is not a
Giants fan as thats Opening Day at AT&T Park. Bob Fife
sponsor chairman indicated that letters have gone out to merchants who support the newsletter through their grateful contributions. Without these fine donations of sponsorship we
would be hard pressed to get the newsletter out on a timely
basis. A very appreciated thanks to all that help us out.
Kris Kimballs long awaited Old Timers website is up and
running and anyone can get on it by logging into San Francisco Baseball Old Timers and use the password of
SFBOT.net to gain access. So far its looking good although
there is much to be done yet. One of the things needed is
pictures of any member in a sports situation. We just want to
borrow your picture and then put it on the site and get it back
to you. Just think of it as a lasting memory for your legacy
and if that doesnt work just send along a picture and well
think of something.
The baseball tickets for the Ardizoia/Grider scholarship presentation at AT&T Park will be held on Wednesday June 3 at a
day game against the Pittsburgh Pirates and will go on sale at
the next meeting in February. Bader got us very good seats
that will cost $35 each. We filled last year and will probably
do the same this year. Last year was the game that Lincecum
threw the no-hitter against the Padres so you never can tell
what will happen at the ole ball game.
Crab FeedChairman Bill Jones says that the Crab feed

Board of Directors
President
Len Grilli
Vice President
John McCarthy
Treasurer
Ken Mooney
Secretary
Rich Murphy
Membership
Gary Bader
Sergeant-at-Arms
Joe Marino
Directors
Frank Brady-Nick Poppin
Cliff Righetti-Joe Marino
Dave Longa-Rich Ford
Bob Hagler-Vince Belli
Bill DeMattei-Bob Fife

filled to more than 200 and was better than expected . Next month there is a good chance for
us to have a special guest speaker and that will
be a former Giants pitcher from the late 80s
early 90s. We cant give out his name at the
moment because of his commitments but if hes
available it will be a fun night full of questions
and answers.

and Joan Strazzullo for the help they gave to

the club.
Lunch Meetings Coming Up this Summer
In an attempt to meet the needs of all members
the July and August monthly meetings will be
lunches at the Irish Cultural Center. The July
meeting is the annual Joe Sprinz meeting
whereby children and grandchildren of members are encouraged to turn out in honor of the
great Joe Sprinz. Last year we had a fair turnout
Several Honored at Golf Dinner
he annual golf dinner attracted a large
with about 20 kids showing up. Chairman Ken
crowd of people who came out to honor
Mooney did a great job in securing gifts from
the golfers this year. The winner of the Bill
the Giants for this affair. The August meeting
OBrien
also moved to the daytime and has been known
Award for the as City Hall Recognition, whereby chairman
outstanding
Leo Martinez has gotten speakers from the poplayer went to lice and fire departments. The thing here is that
Paul Navarro we will have a better chance to get some of the
who had a
high ranking officials to attend a luncheon
great year in
rather than a dinner.
winning the
Club Champiext year will mark the 75th Anniveronship. The
sary of the establishment of the Old
other awards
Timers Baseball Association making it
went to Jim
one of the longest ongoing sports associations
Paul Navarro Club Champion
Hodges for
in the country. Only the Yakima/Tacoma Old
being closest-to-the Hole from the group that Timers are ahead of us in longevity as they
plays the forward tees. Jim hit a shot 39 to
started in 1937 and continue with annual funcclaim the title. And Paul Varni was Closest-to- tions such as we do through the year. Preparathe-Hole for those that play the back tees by
tions for our 75th function have already begun
making a Hole-In-One, so it doesnt get closer with the dates to be held the latter part of
March of next year 2016. Chairman John
McCarthy has already recruited John
Ward, Kris Kimball and Ernie Golding to
be part of a task force to make this event
as successful as the 70th presentation. It
appears that the luncheon will be held at
the Irish Cultural Center utilizing the
entire banquet area on the second floor.
There will be an audio visual presentation along with several guest speakers .
John needs more people to help round
out the committee so any one with any
than that. And
interest in helping with this event should confinally Leo Marti- tact him. One of the items we will be looking
nez was given the to have on display will be any memorabilia and
Gene Gaviglio
artifacts from days gone by such has uniforms,
Awards that goes baseball equipment scrapbooks, pictures or any
to the golfer who other items of interest depicting the days from
shows the true
1941 to the 1990s when baseball was still
sportsmanship of being played by our members and others. We
the game. In the are going to try to enlist the San Francisco Gipast it has gone to ants for their historical assistance since coming
Ernie Golding,
to San Francisco in 1958. But in the meantime
June Caviglio,
anyone who like to help out with the committee
Clockwise Gene Hodges, Paul

Best wishes to the Old

Timers for 2015

Rich Blackburn
Art Citron - Nick Cannuli
Mel Canevaro - Brian Kearney
Don Dennehy - Al McCarthy
Dan Jacobsmeyer

Varni and Leo Martinez

is asked to call John at 209-470-1103 and volunteer your time

for this celebration.
Pieretti Group Notes
t appears that after much searching for places to have the
monthly lunches chairman Dave Longa has settled on two
restaurants that he will rotate the group. They are Nicks
Rockaway Beach in Pacifica and Dominics Oyster point in
South San Francisco. These two locations have been on the
calendar for years and have proven to be the most popular and
easily accessible to those that
attend the lunches each month.
The February luncheon will be
held at Dominic's on Wednesday February 18 and March
will be at Nicks in Pacifica on
Wednesday March 18. The
honoree this month was Lou
Landini, Jr. Coordinator Dave
Longa has a trip planned to
Reno on March 3-5 on the
train. The cost of the trip is
$289 per person and includes a
Lou Landini,Jr Honoree
two night stay at the El Dorado
Hotel in Reno plus the train ride. If anyone is interested contact Dave at 650-244-9741. The closing deadline was January 23 but Dave still has some spots where he can take a few
more people.
The SOB lunch group that meet the first Wednesday of each
month mete at the Sizzler last month but ran into a problem as
another group had also schedule to use the banquet facilities.
So Longa and friends are now looking to secure another potential site so they can gather on that first Wednesday. More
to follow.

that traveled all across the Western States and spent considerable time in California. Jane Leavy, author of the best selling book :The Last Boy Mickey Mantle and the End of
American Childhood. got in touch with us looking for any
information about the tour that brought Ruth and Gehrig to
California. During my trip to Forgotten Fields I took four

years ago I found some

information about Babe
Ruth going to Dunsmuir
and playing a game up
there in 1924 and again in
1926. The old ball park
still stands and this plaque
is on the entrance to the
field.
Dunsmir as you
all know is located was up in
Bullpen Chatter
n 1927 Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig set out a barnstorming
Shasta County
tour around the country following their sweep in the
towards RedWorld Series over the Pittsburgh Pirates and that Yankee
ding and now
team was being hailed as the greatest team of all time. And
Hwy 5 goes
who can really argue with the line-up they had plus the Bamright through
bino was just coming off the season he hit the incredible 60
the town. The
home runs. In those days Major League stars often put toball park I discovered on my trip still stands and you can algether All-Star teams and traveled the southern part of the
most feel the ghosts of the Babe and some of those players
country playing exhibition games to make additional money
there. This plaque was dedicated in 1986 and there were a
in the off season. However the venture that Ruth and Gehrig number of SF Old Timers invited to participate in the ceremoput together known as the Bustin Babes and Larrupin Lous nies. Among them were Dutch Anderson, Rugger Ardwas more than just a tour as it was a well planned out affair
izoia, Dan Benedetti, Pete Dalto, Art Dikas, Andy Dur-

Best Wishes
To All
San Francisco Old Timers
The Grider Family

Thanks Old Timers

Your Monthly Newsletter
Is a great Read.
Anonymous Donor

manich, Tony Gomez, Joe Orengo, Mike Poppin, Dino

Restelli and Harry Rosenberg, plus a host of there players
of the day. Only Ardizoia, Dalton and Poppin are still with us
as a remembrance of that day. Ruth was treated so well that
he made a return trip there two years later. Ms. Leavy is going to do a book about that barnstorming trip that Ruth and
Gehrig took in 1927 because it might have been the first time
an agent for a player put together such a venture. Anyway
she is looking for people who have any information like a
newspaper account of the games played in California. Apparently there was a game (s) played in San Francisco but it is
doubtful that anyone would still be alive to recall them. I
personally know I've seen pictures of Ruth and Gehrig in
those uniforms and am searching through my files to find
them. Im sure some of you might have a recollection and if
you do please get in touch with me. Ms. Leavy will be in the
Bay Area meeting with Marlene Vogelsong Lefty ODoul
SABR Chapter president and Mark McRae, a PCL historian
to assist Leavy in her search for information. So if anyone
out there has any pictures or information please bring it forth
as it will be useful in the creation of this
book.
Two new members were sworn in at the
January meeting and they were Roldan
Vigil and Jim Jarvis. This is the second time around for Roldan as he was a
long-time friend of Art Dikas who
passed away a few years ago but
dropped out for several years only to
come back at age 88 to renew old
friendships. Jim is the son of the late
Roldan Vigil
George Jarvis and attended public
schools in San Francisco, and played
baseball at Riordan High School and
later at SF State college. .
Some of our members are on the mend
and need some cheering up. Included
on that list are Hal Fox, foot surgery,
Mike Bagdon eye operation and Clarence Grider health issues. It would be
nice to send along a card to the guys.
Jim Jarvis
Making a come-back and coming off
the 15-day disabled lists are Frank
Williams and Joe Smith. Its great to see both of these fellows getting better after serious illnesses. Back to scholarship donations for a moment...at least three members make
contributions of between $200 and $500 to the program
which is far more than just a generous contribution.

Old Timer History...Funston Playground

unston Playground in the Marina District has been one
of the best baseball diamonds for the past 60 years but
on Sunday May 6, 1962 the diamond on the far end of the
park was dedicated to Edward P. Garrigan, The Little Giants as he was known. Mr. Garrigan held down the position
of Recording-Secretary of the Northern California Baseball
Managers Association for 26 years. Eddie dedicated his life
to the game he loved bestthe Great
National Pastimethe game of baseball. He was born on Telegraph Hill in
1884 and passed away in 1961 a year
before the diamond was named in his
honor. Ironically, the San Francisco
Old Timers baseball team was defeating
the Stockton Old Timers 9 to 1 in a
night game in the Port city, when Eddie
passed away. The Old Timers did not
learn of Garrigans death until returning
to San Francisco the next day. The loss
of the beloved figure saddened each and
every member of the San Francisco Old
Timers Baseball Association. Among
some of the things that Eddie did in his lifetime was to work
for the San Francisco Call Bulletin where he wrote a semi-pro
baseball column for years and worked at the paper for 46
years. He retired in 1958 and never had a bad word to say
about any bush league player and always promoted youth
baseball activities. He served as a scout for the New York
Giants during the days when the late Mickey Shader was
affiliated with the club. During his playing days, the hustling
little Garrigan was a stellar second baseman and played along
side of another great player Francisco Ping Bodie, who
went on to play with the Seals, Yankees and Chicago White
Sox. On that day in 1962 some 53 years ago two games were
played the first at 11 am was between the SF Old Timers
Lefthanders vs the SF Old Timers Righthanders' and the feature game at 2 pm was the two powerful teams of the day,
Gino Benedetti vs Sabellas's. teams. I had the opportunity to
play for Sabellas's in that game along with future Old Timers
Ernie Evans, Tom Tarantino, Mario and Joe Monterosso,
Jim McGill, Rich Medaglia, Don Lowpensky and others.
Marino Pieretti was the starting pitcher for Bennett's. Many
city dignitaries and veteran players were on hand to lend
splendor to the ceremonies for Garrigan who had a legion of
friends in life and was long remembered for his dedication to
his beloved bushers.

Alumni Of
Balboa
Riordan
George Petty
Clyde Krusinski
Ron Taylor
Sacred Heart
Bud Williams
Brian Kearney
Frank Williams Tom Taylor

Joe Smith Passes

On Thursday January 22 Joe Smith lost his battle with cancer and passed away at the age of
84. Joe was a member of the Old Timers for
many years and was a good guy. Before he had
health issues he was a regular on the golf course
playing in all the Old Timer events and a couple
of times during the week at Sharpe Park. He
was a decent ball player in his day and told the
story of how he played on a service team that
included several major league players during
WWII while in the Pacific. Joe was diagnosed
with cancer last summer and when I found out
he had the same as mine I gave him a I Will
Survive shirt that he wore to his chemo treatments. He did survive and will be greatly
missed by the Old Timers at the dinner meetings and by his family.
From Leo Martinez:
A poem written by Michael Kumar that he
wrote more than a year ago and was read at
George Jarvis's funeral.
I am from center field,
From the rich green grass and warm brown dirt
meet.
I am from the place where champions are made,
and legends are born.
I am from the drive to succeed and the fear of
failure.
I am from where players made footsteps too
deep to fill,
From the same turf legends and DiMaggio and
Mantle, and where The Say Hey Kid made his
famous catch.
I am from the roar of the fans and the chatter of
my teammates.
Im from the place where I feel comfortable,
and I am determined to stay here.
Im from the place where left meets right and I
am ready.
I am home.

Vince Tudoni - Jim McCoy

Leo Martinez - Bill DeMatie
Jim OConnor
Skip McKinney
George Schnapp

president, a holder of the Ultimate Old Timers

jacket and for many years our golf chairman.
Gene had many qualifications and qualities uppermost being that he was a gentleman and always a person of class.
I am proud, thankful that Gene, Mrs. Gaviglio
(Joan) where/are endearing friends. I will always cherish the honor I received at the 2014
golf awards dinner.
In Appreciation , Keep Swingin
Leo Martinez
P.S. Congratulations to Paul Navarro for being
Club Champion.
And... before leaving golf let me add the following. When Paul Varni made his Hole-In-One
last year in March we scrambled around to find
one when the last one was made. Someone said
it was Willie Franco over 20 years ago but that
has been cleared up by Bob Andreini. In 2003
at the Franklin Canyon event I made an ace on
the 189 yard, 6th hole. exclaimed a proud Andreini. Bernie Wyman gave me a plaque at the
golf dinner.

Baseball in the War Years

Gary Bedingfield is a writer who authored the
book Baseballs Dead of World War II and
writes a newsletter about former players who
gave their lives in various wars. He lives in
England and has always had a fascination with
baseball and military history. His newsletter
has a distribution of about 1,000 and reaches
baseball enthusiasts all over the world who have
either signed up or corresponded with him at
some time. We are going to include his newsletter in our new website. His website is
www.baseballinwartime.com. In his latest he
featured Ernie Raimondi, brother of Oakland
Oaks catcher back in PCL days Billy Raimondi. Ernie was a promising
young prospect when he signed
with the Seals as a third baseThank You!
Thanks to Rich Ford, Ken Mooney and the SF
man in 1936. He hit .263 in his
Old Timers golf committee for another successrookie season and the followful awards dinner at Nicks Rockaway Restauing year he was with Tacoma.
rant. It came as a surprise that I was the recipiAppendicitis limited his playent of the Gene Gaviglio Annual Award. Due
ing time in 1939 and he was
to my surprise, I was remiss/forgetful in recogreleased by the Seals in 1940
nizing the gentleman whose name is on this
only to be picked by the Oaks
award, Gen Gaviglio.
where he played alongside of his brother. Ernie
Gene performed in many capacities as a mementered the military service with the Army in
ber of the SF Baseball Old Timers. For openJune of 1944. Within six months he was in
ers, he was one of four monthly bartenders
France with the 44th Infantry Division and was
when we gathered at the Verdi Club, sat on the killed in action in January 1945 only a few
Board of Directors for years and was a past
months before the war came to an end.
Congratulations to the S.F. Old
Timers Baseball Association
The Marino Pieretti Group
In memory of Frank Strazzullo,
Dante Santora and Bob Tobener

Pictures Needed for Website

e need action pictures such as the
one shown below for the website.
Please let us borrow some of your baseball pictures to be included. If you bring
or send them Ill make a copy and then
get it back to you. It should be interesting and lots of enjoyment to have as
many pictures included as possible.
Weve already had a few to put up but
need more. In this picture below its
from a1954 game as a Lincoln player
scores a run against Washington at Big
Rec.

off the raffle selling more than $835 in

tickets more than anytime before. There
were eight $50 prizes and one for $100
that Ernie Golding and wife Barbara
won. Other raffle prizes included gift
certificate and salami rolls from the

Molinari Company in North

Beach. The cooks this year were
the fabulous Tom Taylor, Jim
Hodges, Rich Ford and Tony
Rodriguez.

Formerly
Holt & Collins

250 Montgomery Street

Suite 200
San Francisco, CA 94104
415-543-8500\
1-800443-2227

Early Irish Story

A Doctor in Dublin wanted to get
off work and go fishing, so he
approached his assistant.
McCarthy, I am going fishing
tomorrow and dont want to close
the clinic. I want you to take care of the
Giants Trophy on Display
The Giants announced that they are put- clinic and all of me patients. Yes, sir!
ting their 2014 World Series trophy on a answers McCarthy. The doctor goes
tour for fans to see. The organization is fishing and returns the following day and
working in partnership with the Junior
asks: So, McCarthy, how was your
Giants Leagues throughout Northern
day?
California in the months of February and McCarthy told him that he took care of
March. You will be allowed to take one three patients. The first one had a headphoto per person. Or fans will have the ache so I gave him Paracetamol.
opportunity to have a professional picBravo, McCarthy lad, and the second
ture taken by a photographer for a fee of one? asks the doctor. The second one
course. The local schedule for February had indigestion and I gave him Gavisis: Feb. 2, San Mateo Elks Lodge, 4 to 6 con, so I did, sir, said McCarthy.
pm; Feb. 3, Municipal Stadium in San
Bravo, bravo! You're good at this what
Jose 4 to 6 pm; Feb. 7, AT&T Park all
about the tird one? asks the doctor.
day; and Feb. 9, Santa Clara City Hall 4 Sir, I was sitting here and suddenly the
to 6 pm. The tour has traveled from San door flies open and a young, gorgeous
Francisco to Medford, Oregon and all
woman burst in, so she does. Like a bolt
the way down to San Luis Obispo, the
outta the blue, she tears off her clothes,
entire Central Valley and up to Reno.
taking off everything including her bra
and her panties and lies on the table
spreading her legs and shouts: HELP
Crab Feed a Smashing Success
Hats off to chairman Bill Jones for an
ME for the love of St. Patrick! For five
outstanding job on the annual Crab Feed. years I have not seen any man!
Not only did more than 200 people show Tunderin lard Jesus, McCarthy, what
up but the night was a complete success did you do? asks the doctor.
and the Association made more money
I put drops in her eyes.
Newsletter Editor: John McCarthy
To provide information call or email.
Cell Phone 209-470-1103
Or
Email: golfwjohn@aol.com