March 2015

Its Baseball Season Again

LaCoss Scores Big Hit at Old Timers Dinner
force what the
Past Presidents
had to say about
how it is being a
member. Each
one of these fellows joined in or
about 1990 which
says a great deal.
Thanks guys for
hanging in and
enjoying all these years with the Old Timers. And with
all this we had a program and a surprise guest. We mentioned last month that there might be a possibility of having a former Giants pitcher come by and say hello and
that happened and he more than dropped by. Mike LaCoss was an interesting speaker who talked about his
career in baseball and out. He was accompanied by his
lovely wife Teresa and while I was trying to get more out
of him he touched on things that highlighted his career.
One thing he did not mention that is worth reporting is
his involvement with Brian Stow and his behind the
scene work he and other former Giants do to help out that
L to R Frank Brady, Hank Barron, Leo Martinez, Bill Jones, Nick Cannuli, Gary
Bader, Ernie Golding, Pete Dalto, Ken Mooney, Don Beneditti, Rich Ford, Kneel- cause.
ing Jim Griffith, Nick Poppin, Dave Longa.
Presently he owns a business or an internet site called the
how he sees the Association headed. And...three new memibaseball channel which is a quasi-alternative to the MLB
bers (pictured below) were sworn in and they were Milt
network. He has lots of former players telling their stories
Panagatocos, Jerry Maxwell and Richard Rodriguez.
and also talks about a depth analysis of the game that you
Each one of the new members is a native San Franciscan hav- dont necessarily hear on the baseball channel. Its an intering attended local schools with Milt going to Lincoln and
esting concept and perfect for LaCoss as he is an outgoing
Jerry and Rich
character that livens up the room once he has the stage. The
going to Balboa. ibaseball channel also is a big supporter of American Legion
All were inbaseball and youth sports. He did elaborate on his career that
volved in sports spanned 14 years in the Big Leagues being drafted by the
of some sort and
Cincinnati Reds in 1974 and
they make a welmoving up to the big club in
come addition to
1977 only to make the Allthe Association.
Star in 1978 when he posted
Glad to have you
a 14-8 record. He mentioned
aboard gentlea very interesting part of his
men.
career that he called the
The night was
Collusion Era when the
hardly over as
owners tried to force the hand
we presented three long-standing members their 25 year pins
of the Players Union by not
and they were Roger Strack and brothers Joe & George
signing anyone for bonuses
Matranga. Also eligible for the their 25 year pin are Steve
and therefore players moved
Franceschi and Mark Allen who will receive theirs either by
from team to team without
mail or in person if they can attend a dinner meeting. Its
getting much in the way of
wonderful to see men like these five being honored for their
pay. This is when he came to
length of time in the Association and it does nothing but reinthe Giants in 1986 and pitch
Dinner Meeting Highlights
The February dinner meeting went overtime but all who were
in attendance said it was worth it. It was an interesting program highlighted by the twenty Past Presidents giving their
take on the Association and the direction it is going which
was very positive as each man gave a heart-warming view of

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-Vince Belli
Bill DeMattei -Bob Fife
Rich Ford - Bob HaglerDave Longa - Con Maloney
Ray McDonald-Nick Poppin - Cliff Righetti

Best wishes to the Old

Timers for 2014

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

for a team that had lost 100 games. He had a

great of respect for then GM Al Rosen and
wanted to play for the Giants which proved to
be a good fit for him. Mike enjoyed several
good seasons with the club getting close to 50
wins in six years. One story he told was about
his home run prowess. As it turned out he hit a
home in his last at bat during a start in 1986. It
was the first home run of his career in professional baseball. A few days later in his first at
bat he hit ANOTHER home run and of course
his teammates were all over him calling him
Babe and other fun names associated with
home run hitters. Mike as most recall was not a
very good hitter so this was quite a milestone
for him. He later entertained those that wanted
to hear more from him by singing songs on his
guitar in several different languages. We think
he enjoyed himself and hopefully will return in
the future.
Our mystery guest wasnt such a mystery person after all. She, yes she was the celebrated
author of The Last Boy Mickey Mantle and
Sandy Koufax, Jane Leavy and what a treat
she was to have as our guest. Ms. Leavy also
has
written
the hilarious
novel
Squeeze
Play
about a
female
covering the
a major
Author Jane Leavy and John McCarthy
league
baseball team and the times and tribulations of
being in the locker room full of a bunch of
naked men. So she related well to being in the
room with the Old Timers even though they
were fortunately fully clothed. Jane was in the
Bay Area doing research for a new book she is
about to write about Babe Ruth and his 1927
touring baseball all-stars called the Bustin
Babes and Lauripan Lous with Lou Gehrig.
We mentioned this last month a few of the
men brought pictures and stories for her that
she really appreciated . One of our members
she went to visit was Rugger Ardizoia who
had some Babe Ruth stories for her. She really
is a knowledgeable baseball person and startled Jack Scramaglia when I introduced her to
him and she said, Oh hes the first native San

Franciscan to be signed by the Giants. Jacks

mouth dropped open and we all knew we were
talking to a baseball lady. Pick up her books
because you will really enjoy them. If anyone
is interested in reading any of the books mentioned let me know and Ill bring them to the
next meeting. Plus if anyone has any Babe
Ruth information about the 1927 tour way back
you can get in touch with Jane at
jane.leavy@me.com.
Board Meeting Notes
MembershipDues are past due so if you
dont want to be dropped from the roster pay up
now. Chairman Gary Bader is accepting them
until March 1. If you would like to include a
donation to the scholarship fund you may do
so. We have had more than $3,700 in donations to the program and this is overwhelming...thank you to all who contributed.
Irish Dancer Next Month March 10
Ok listen up because everything is going to be
moved up by at least one half an hour. Heres
the schedule for the St. Patricks Day celebration. Cocktails will be served from 5:30to6:30
pm. The Whalen Dancers will perform starting
at 6:30 pm so everyone must be seated at this
time. Once again we will pass the hat for the
girls so if you want to make a small donation
you may do so. Someone at each table will act
as a collector and then Bill Shalko will go
around the room and pick up whatever has been
donated.
Members Passing
Leo Martinez reported that Jude Restelli, wife
of past president Dino passed away recently.
Also we lost Joe Smith which
was reported last month and
just the other day Bernie
Wyman passed away. Bernie
was 91 and grew up in the Excelsior District and attended
Balboa high school. He was a
constant companion of Gene
Caviglio and worked on the
Joe Smith
golf committee for the Old
Timers for years. Bernie was
an avid golfer who when he
turned 71 shot his age many
times. Jude had been married
to Dino for many years before
his passing. She was a talented
dancer and between them created a Western Swing dance
Bernie Wyman
club that became very popular
Dance step on the Peninsula for many years.

Awards Announced
Chairman Gary Bader announced the recipients for the Man
of the Year and Ultimate Old Timer awards. The Men of the
Year awards goes to Dave Longa and Rich Ford. The Ultimate Old Timer award will be presented to Cliff Righetti,
The awards dinner will be held at Nicks Rockaway Beach
Restaurant on Friday May 22. Reservations will be sent out
next month.
Website Update
The Old Timers website is up and running and can be
downloaded by going on to www.sfbot.net. Kris Kimball and
his committee have done an outstanding job putting it together. As a member you will be very proud to see what has
been done as there are a number of links that make for interesting reading. Bob Fifes son Rob, who is in the business of
creating websites for business has thoroughly gone over our
site and indicated that weve done a good job but there is
more yet to do if we want to accomplish more things for the
Association. Hes evaluating things for us and will be making suggestions as to things we can do to not only attract new
members down the road but also make our meeting of more
interest. One of the things your new president and his Boar
are working on are ways to make the dinner meetings more
interesting with guest speakers such as we had last month. If
there is anyone that you would like for us to try and get send
in or call with regards to a topic or person you would like to
hear. Just contact me at the newsletter info box on the last
page. And, dont forget we need pictures for the website of
yourself during a sporting event from back in the day. If you
go onto the site you will see several pictures and they are fun
to show off our members. Just get them to me and well put
them on website and get the picture back to you.
Scholarship Awards
Will be presented at AT&T Park on Tuesday June 30, during
a Giants/Padres game starting at 12:45 pm. Tickets are $35
and the seats are decent. See Frank Brady if you would like
to attend.
75th Anniversary We still need some help on this committee so if you have any interest or talent contact John
McCarthy as this is going to be a big occasion for the Association next year.
Crab Feed Wrap-Up
This years Crab Feed far outdid any expectations of success
as the committee headed by Bill Jones did a truly outstanding
job. However, nothing would have been accomplished had it
not been for the following persons and businesses who made
donations and provided assistance in making the night a success. This note is a small gesture of thanks to those people

who helped but better yet it would be nice to help support the
businesses that donated their services. Many Thanks to the
following people for their contributions:
The Nick Gust Family of Nicks Rockaway Beach
Restaurant, who donated dinner for 2 and a nights
lodging at the motel.
Jim Griffin for a foursome of golf at Sharp Park GC
and also a gift certificate of $25 at Safeway.
Johns Grill a $50 certificate for lunch or dinner.
Kathy Lewis for her four tickets to a Giants game.
Wine Donation Next MonthAn anonymous donor will
provide a bottle of wine at your table next month...Thank you
to Marioday!
Bull Pen Chatter
This years Super Bowl was a Black-Eye for football. The
game ended on the worst coaching decision ever made in
football, then a brawl erupted that seemed to go on forever.
The Patriots owner (Kraft) is the most righteous jerk ever
known as he expounded on the virtues of his team amidst the
allegations of cheating during the playoffs. Then having
Brady mentioned in the
same breath as Montana
is too much to fathom.
Great comment made by
former Niner Charles
Haley. Baseball will be
back in a few days men!
Pitcher and catcher report on February 19th.
Hooray!
Giants Senior Vice
President and General
Counsel, Jack Bair,
will be the guest speaker
for eh Old Time Athletes
Spring Dinner April 23 at the Olympic Club. It should be an
entertaining evening as Bair has many ties to the development
of the AT&T Park with the design and addition of the Glove
in left field. He played and coached baseball in San Francisco form 1990-2000 and at one time for New Pisa. The
SF Prep Hall of Fame will be held on May 16 at Patio Espanol. Restaurant , 2850 Alemany Blvd. The reception is a 5:30
with dinner served at 6:30 pm. Old Timer member Rich
Scramaglia , 1947-51 is being inducted as is Wilson Fumuina, Balboa football and track, 1969-72; Michael Farmer,

Best Wishes
To All
San Francisco Old Timers
The Grider Family

Thanks Old Timers

Your Monthly Newsletter
Is a great Read.
Anonymous Donor

Wilson, track, 1971-74; Kenneth Flanagan, Galileo, 195659, baseball & basketball; Richard Max, Riordan, 1951-55,
football; Jerilyn Jank, Lowell, 1974-2008 , gymnastics
coach; Greg Wood, St.Ignatius, 1957-59, football and Sam
Goldman, special recognition as media person for the Hall
from 1857-2014. Tickets are $50 for the event and can be
purchased from Emily Powell at 650-851-8101.

talking baseball again. The two hosts were both on the DL

list with Pete Donovan out with gall bladder surgery and his
co-horst John McCarthy doing chemotherapy. The late start
didnt drop in the enthusiasm among the attendees.. Among
some of the discussion questions were the rule changes that
the new baseball commissioner Rob Manfred want to speed
up the game and take under the 3 hours mark that it rose to
last when the average game was played in 3hours and 7 minutes. Several ideas seemed good from the audience one of
Notes From the Pieretti Group
This month the Green Jacket honorees were Len Grilli and
which might be to limit the number pitchers used during the
Mike Signori and the presenter being Lou La Torre The
game. The one pitcher per batter is great strategy that the
luncheon was held at Dominics Oyster point last month and Giants Bruce Botchy has used in his three winning Champithis months luncheon will be a Nicks Rockaway Beach on
onships but it takes lots of game time. And last years manaWednesday on Wednesday March 18.
gerial challenges on close play took up time. Limiting the
Organizer, Dave Longa, was away for the luncheon and Old number of pitchers on the roster has an upside by adding a
Timer President Len Grilli took over to run the meeting.
needed position as a hitter. Also discussed were which teams
Longa has two trips planned for the group in the coming in
did the best in the off season to strengthen themselves. Most
thought the Padres and even the Dodgers made some good
trades while our Giants seemed to stand pat. Even the Cubs
made some significant moves. Over in the American League
Boston got stronger with Sandoval and Detroit landing
Scherzer on the mound. Even the White Sox made some
noise picturing up some veteran talent.
Bobby Winkles was present again and very shortly he will
been having a book about his career out and it should be filled
with stories that only an Arkansas traveler can tell. We talked
about next years' potential Hall of Fame candidates could be
and names of Jeff Kent, Mike Piazza and Alan Trammel
surfaced. And the winners of the trivia contest were three
desert people with Jim Equils the winner picking up $50,
Roger Walenstein and Stuart Goldfine finishing second. I
pulled the Hot dog role and wore all my Giants T-Shirts and
the next few weeks; one is the Reno Train Trip on March 3-5 caps and was thoroughly booed.. So I asked the question and
with the cost being $289 and includes the round trip train trip, shut them up, Does three World Series in five year make for
2 nights stay at the El Dorado hotel. This might be filled but a Dynasty? All the dodger people had not much to say. Our
if anyone is interested in going there might be a spot open.
next luncheon is Feb. 25th with the final one being in March.
Contact Dave at 650-244-9741. The other trip is late in the
month and will be in the name of the late Bob Tobener, for a
Giants Tickets Available for Day Games
one-day bus trip to the Red Hawk Casino. The cost is $35 per Again this year I will have some Giants ticket in Section 318
person and includes $15 towards slots or $20 towards table
available for day games. The tickets cost $26 and in most
play and a $5 credit for food. Parking will be at DeVincenzi cases includes a $5 food allowance. If you of you are interMetal Products Parking lot on 1655 Rollins Road , Burlinested in any of the games listed contact me 209-470-1103.
game. The bus leaves at 7:30 am and comes back at 3:30 pm. April 19 Sun. DBacks
July 29 Wed. Brewers
Contact Longa if you would like to attend.
May 6 Wed. Padres
Aug. 30 Sun Cardinals
June 28 Sun. Rockies
Sept. 9 Sun DBacks
July 8 Wed. NY Mets
Desert by the Bay
The first Hot Stove Baseball luncheon was held last month
Times for the Wednesday games are 1245 pm and for the
for an over-flow crowd of 65 people who were eager to start Sunday games at 1:05. We can arrange to care pool and split
Alumni Of
Balboa
Riordan
George Petty
Clyde Krusinski
Ron Taylor
Sacred Heart
Bud Williams
Brian Kearney
Frank Williams Tom Taylor
Supports the Old Timers Association

parking as necessary or meet at the park your

choice. Let me know at your earliest convenience.

Another lot I remember was around Candlestick

at the wartime housing projects. It was an open
dirt (mostly rocks) lot that we made into a field.
I say we because it was a team effort with kids,
big brothers, neighbors, and dads, clearing away
Old Timers Golf Schedule for 2015
the rocks (we couldnt get them all) but, it
was good enough to play and one clever dad
put the finishing touch on it by building a
make-shift backstop .
I did live near a grass-filled city playground
(Gilman Park) you can see it today from
Candlestick Park , but they didnt allow
hardball this the birth of a Candlestick project sandlot field which let to a mini-rivalry
between the Gilman kids and the
Candlestick Project kids. Not is our wildest
First Event:
Alameda GC Monday April 13. Cost is $45 and dreams did we imagine that we were playing a
includes cart. If interested in playing contact
stones throw from a future major league field
Rich Ford at 650-873-1144. Entries must be
(Candlestick Park). I couldnt believe it when
received by March 30 as this is the golf courses' the began playing at the Point in 1960. We
deadline.
thought of it as a baseball palace. From the
Sandlots many of us graduated to city parks ,
SF BaseballA Walk Down Memory Lane and it seemed that every neighborhood had
one
for Those Who Played the Game
By Jimmy The Little Bear Custodio
This will be a 3/4 part feature that Jimmy put
List of Contributors to the
together that is an excellent lead-up to our 75th
Scholarship Fund
Anniversary next year. Jimmy grew up in the
hank you to the following men who made
Portola District in the City and played a lot for
a contribution to the Ardizoia/Grider
legendary baseball people but lets let him tell
Youth Scholarship Fun. Two athletes, the outthe story.
standing boy baseball player and the outstand
If you were lucky enough to grown up in San
girl softball will be awarded a $1,500 scholarFrancisco during the Depression or after Deship or more to the college of their choice. The
pression years, you may not have had much
presentation will be held at AT&T Park prior to
(material) but one of the things that many of us the Giants/Padres game at 12:45 pm. Tickets
did have (treasured) was playing baseball on the are available for $35 each and can be purchased
sandlots and parks of the City. We were
from Frank Brady at the dinner meeting. More
blessed with plenty of both, and you could althan $3,700 was raised through contributions
ways find one. If you couldnt fine one in your made by the membership when paying their
immediate neighborhood, you made one
2015 dues. With kind of support the Board of
Directors can now make a decision whether to
The Sandlots
The origin of a Sandlot for me was finding a
include more awards or increase what is given
vacant lot big enough to play baseball. Some
out to the two youngsters. Many thanks each
lots, indeed, had a base of sand or a huge field
and every one of you for your generous donawith dirt, tall grass and weeds or simply rocky
tion.
dirt lot or a combination of all the above. My
George Arci
Dan Giese
first recollection of such a lot was between 3rd Bill Angel
Eddie Gutierrez
Street and Old Bayshore Blvd. below Wilde
Marl Allen
Joe Gualco
Avenue. It was a grassy field on which we
Gary Attell
Bob Hagler
teamed up to pull the high grass and weeds by
George Bacigalupi
Gene Hartje
hand and with whatever tools we could acquire Gary Bader
Gary Hughes
from our collective garages. That field became John Bagatelos
Bill Jessen
our hangout after school or parts of the weekEd Bagnani
Brian Kearney
end. We would choose by going hand over
Kevin Barry
Phil Kelber
hand on the batremember that? That pro- Elliott Bartholomew
Jim Kirby
vided us with many happy hours and days.
Tony Basques
Bill Kirkpatrick

Vince Tudoni - Jim McCoy

Leo Martinez - Bill DeMatie
Jim OConnor
Skip McKinney
George Schnapp

Congratulations to the S.F. Old

Timers Baseball Association
The Marino Pieretti Group
Bob Tobener and in memory of
Dante Santora - Frank Strazzullo

Formerly
Holt & Collins

250 Montgomery Street

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

Len Belaski
Jim Kirby
Ron Belli
Bill Kirkpatrick
Rudy Bertolozzi Quinton Kopp
Richard Blackburn Loren Kurtz
Joe Blea
Tom LaGrave
Chuck Bonnici Milt LaHonta
Jack Bonnici
Lou Landini
Frank Brady
Bob Lee
Don Basso
John Leonard
Hank Barron
John LeTourneau
Duncan Benas Mario Lombardi
Bob Brandi
Martin Lovrin
Bill Brook
Bill Magidson
Roger Bross
Joe Matranga
Ralph Burns
John McCarthy
Tony Cannizzo Ray McDonald
Mel Canevaro
Robert McCullough
Art Citron
Bob Moser
Don Collopy
George Motto
Bill Collins
Ken Mooney
Rene Coupet
Mark Mulholland
Bob Daly
Rich Muratore
Ed DeBrincat
Vince Nocito
Bob DeVincenzi Jim OConnor
Ray DeVincenzi Don Papa
Peter DeGuara Frank Pisa
Bill DeMattei
Nick Poppin
Don DeMeyer Jim Potts
Dennis Devlin George Quinn
Nate DiFranco Tony Ragusa
Bill Difu
Henry Ratti
Dennis Donnelly Jim Reagan
Jim Dowd
Ron Restani
Jere Driscolll
Cliff Righetti
Stephen Driscoll Bob Rizzo
Don Farber
Tony Rodriguez
Ron Fassler
Rudy Rodriguez
Bob Fife
Dino Ruggeri
Dan Giese
Frank Ruggiero
Len Grilli
Henry Sanchez
Joe Gualco
Don Schaeffer
Eddie Gutierrez Bob Simi
Bob Hagler
Mike Simon
Gene Hartje
Carl Spriz
Gary Hughes
Pat Sullivan
Bill Jessen
Terry Taylor
Brian Kearny
Paul Torrente
Phil Kelber
Rich Trigueiro
Jim Kirby
Roy Tripaldi
Thomas Venezio Ken Viola
Bob Volkert
John Ward
Pat Ward
Woody Woodall
George Zucca

Stories to Bring you Back!

Two elderly gentlemen from a retirement
center were sitting on a bench under a
tree when one turns to the other and
says, Slim, Im 83 years old now and
Im just full of aches and pains. I know
youre about my age. How do you
feel?
Slim says, I feel just like a new born
baby. Really!? Like a new born
baby!
Yep, no hair, no teeth, and I think I just
wet my pants.
The Garage DoorThe boss walked into
the office one morning not knowing his
zipper was down and his fly area was
wide open. His assistant walked up to
him and said, This morning when you
left your house, did you close your garage door? The boss told her he knew
hed closed the garage door, and walked
into his office puzzled.
As he finished his paperwork, he suddenly noticed his fly was open and
zipped it up. He then understood his
assistants question about his garage
door
He headed out for a cup of coffee and
paused by her desk to ask. When my
garage door was open, did you see my
Jaguar parked in there? She smiled and
said, No I didnt. All I saw was an old
mini-van with two flat tires..
One night a nurse was making her
rounds in a nursing home. While walking down the hall, she came across an
open door. She looked in and saw old
Frank sitting up in bed pretending to
drive. She asked, Frank what are you
doing? He replied, Im driving to Toronto. The nurse smiled at him and
carried on making her rounds. The next
night as she walked past Franks' room
she saw the same thing. Again she
asked, Frank, what are you doing? He
replied, Im driving to Toronto. Its a
two-day trip, you know. Five minutes
later she came across another open door
and looked it. She saw Bob pretending
to dance with someone. She then asked,
Bob, what are you doing?
Bob replied, Im dancing with Franks
wife. Hes gone to Toronto for a couple
of days Sorry it was a slow month.
Newsletter Editor: John McCarthy
To provide information call or email.
Cell Phone 209-470-1103
Or
Email: golfwjohn@aol.com