SAN FRANCISCO BASEBALL

OLD TIMERS ASSOCIATION

(Established 1941)

FROM THE DUGOUT

July 2016 Edition
_______________________________
Officers

Directors

Rich Murphy (President)

Bill DeMattei

Jim Jarvis

Bob Fife (Vice President)

Dave Longa

Frank Brady

Ken Mooney (Treasurer)

Paul Varni

Nick Poppin

Anthony Boyadzis (Secretary)

Cliff Righetti

Gary B ader (Membership)

Leo Martinez (Health & Welfare)

Joe Marino (Sgt. at Arms)

Rich Ford (Golf Commissioner)

Lou Landini (Newsletter Editor)

Editors Column
This month we are going to acquaint you with another Old Timer who has made a
difference in his life to his family, his community, his friends and to the San
Francisco Baseball Old Timers Association. Allow me to present to you a genuine
great guy and true gentleman, Leo Martinez. Leo was born in Jackson, California in
1939 and he and his family moved to San Francisco in 1944 and lived in the Mission
District, the Ocean View neighborhood, and then the Potrero. Leo attended school at
Starr King Elementary, Denman Junior High, Horace Mann and then Lowell High
School. Leo was an industrious lad and possessed a strong work ethic, as evidenced
by a vigorous history of newspaper routes and corner sales spots.
Leo had an epiphany of sorts in 1950 when he saw the movie Jim Thorpe, AllAmerican. This film led Leo to an addiction to sports of all kinds. Leo got tagged
with the nickname The Grip Kid because his grip (that is San Francisco-ese for a
two handled bag kids used to carry their stuff) contained an array of sporting goods
that would have made Hirsch & Price proud! His grip was always with him, leaving
him ready for any sports opportunity that might pop up. (Leo really loved swimming
but could not figure out how to get a pool into his grip.)
After Lowell, Leo worked in a series of industries, all the while playing in local
softball and semi-pro baseball leagues. Leo also umpired for several years, all the way
up to the collegiate level. And somehow, Leo also found the time to ask for the hand
in marriage of the beautiful girl next door, Mary Robles, and she accepted. Mary and
Leo were married in 1961.
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Leo then embarked on a 30-year career in the San Francisco Fire Department, and
served the City and County of San Francisco with distinction and dedication in a
number of assignments. As is the case with every public safety member, Leo saw
first-hand the effects of poverty on people of the community, especially the kids, and
Leo and many other SFFD members started the outstanding Fire Department Toy
Program which has given countless kids gifts at Christmas time, presents that these
children would never have gotten. Leo has continued in this noble program long after
his retirement.
Leo joined the SFBOTA in 1974, and has held just about every position within the
Association, from President to Board of Directors member, to committee participant.
He is an Ultimate Old Timer and a true goodwill ambassador for the SFBOTA. At
every step of his life, Leo Martinez has truly made a difference. Leo gives way more
than he gets. No job is too big or too small for Leo. If he hasnt already volunteered
for a job, he graciously accepts an assignment. Thank you, Leo, for all you have done
and for all that you will continue to do to make the world a better place.
A Serious Moment
In last months edition, we mentioned the idea of becoming Old Timers vs.
Alzheimers and doing what we can to help in the battle against this cruel and
merciless disease. The SFBOTA Officers and Board of Directors are working on a plan
and will unveil it very soon.
Help SFBOTA Save Money!!
In recent editions we have asked for as many members as possible to sign up to
receive this bulletin each month by e-mail rather than by conventional mail. In
analyzing the cost of photocopying, envelopes and postage, we are estimating that
each mailed edition is costing SFBOTA about $1.40 per copy to mail out. For the
June edition, we mailed out 285 copies, which comes out to almost $400. For the
year, that works out to close to $5000. Can we totally wipe out that cost? No,
because a whole bunch of our members do not have e-mail and never will. Thats very
understandable. But a large number of members do have e-mail and are choosing not
to participate in the e-mail program. Its your Association, your dues money and
your call.
Important Dates Department:
July 12, 2016---This will be the Monthly LUNCH. Thats right, its a lunch, and kids
are welcome as guests. The doors to the Irish Cultural Center will open at 11:30 AM
and lunch will began around Noon. That days menu will be Hot Dogs (also known as
Tube Steak), Beans (Uh Oh!), and Corn on the Cob.
July 20, 2016---Marino Pieretti Group Luncheon, which will take place at Nicks
Restaurant on Rockaway Avenue in Pacifica. Cocktails at 11:30 and lunch is at Noon.

August 9, 2016---The monthly Dinner will be at the usual spot, the Irish Cultural
Center, with cocktails beginning at 6:00 PM, and dinner will be served at 7:00 PM.
On the menu will be a chicken entre.
August 17, 2016---The monthly gathering of the Marino Pieretti Group will take place
at The Basque Cultural Center in SSF. Cocktails at 11:30 and lunch is at Noon.
Golf News---Upcoming Events
July 15, 2016, starting at 10:00 AM---Bennett Valley Golf Course in Santa Rosa. This
event is always heavily attended because BVGC is a great and fair course to play, and
it doesnt get much more scenic than the surrounding foothills. This also is a
Scramble Format.
August 15, 2016, starting at 9:00 AM---Metropolitan Golf Links in Oakland. This is
the re-modeled and highly acclaimed version of the former Lew Galbreath Golf
Course. Good golf course, great group of guys playing. Be there!
=====
Here are the closest-to-the-hole results from the Oakmont outing on 6/3/16, as
reported by the rather saintly Rich Ford, Commissioner of the R&A (Rotten and
Awful) Golf Society of the SFBOTA:
5th Hole: Forward Tees ---Nobody--Back Tees
8th

(1) Tom Kiefer 227

(2) ---Nobody---

Hole: Forward Tees ---Nobody--Back Tees

(1) Tony Rodriguez 176 (2) Tom Kiefer 182

13th Hole: Forward Tees (1) Gary Bader 42

Back Tees

(1) Dean Asimos 27

16th Hole: Forward Tees (1) Roy Tripaldi 15

Back Tees

(2) Roy Tripaldi 135

(2) Tom Kiefer 79
(2) Joe Luchini 111

---Nobody---

Next, here are the results of the Monarch Bay 4-man Scramble on 06/27/16.
1st place with a score of 66 ended up in a tie between the team of Leo Martinez, Nick
Poppin, Paul Giambra and Nick Cannuli, and the group of Rick Baptista, Dan Merolla,
Tom OMalley and Paul OMalley.
3rd place with a score of 67 went to the motley crew of Ken Mooney, Roger Strack,
Steve Kavanaugh and Mike Bagdon.
Closest-to-the-hole--4th Hole: Forward Tees
Back Tees

---Nobody--(1) Dan Merolla 279

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(2) John Schmolke 49 0

7th Hole: Forward Tees

(1) Larry Ratti 3110

Back Tees

(2) Nick Poppin 340

---Nobody---

10th Hole: Forward Tees ---Nobody--Back Tees

(1) John Schmolke 56

17th Hole: Forward Tees

Back Tees

(1) Leo Martinez 213

(2) Paul Varni 93

(2) Pat Dianda 260

(1) Paul OMalley 2310 (2) Paul Giambra 335

On the Mend

Bob Martinez, Rich Blackburn, Bill Kennaugh, Don Benedetti and Hal Fox---All these
great guys are on the DL for now, and the Old Timers wish each and every one of
these honorable Members a speedy and complete recovery.
SFBOTAs Website
Just a reminder, courtesy of Fellow Old Timer and sponsor Kris Kimball, SFBOTA has
a website which is at www.sfbot.net Take a look! Its great!! Thank you, Kris.

You Know Youre an Old Timer When

you and your teeth sleep in different rooms.
you write yourself notes as a reminder to do things, and you cant remember where
you put the notes.
you tell your wife that you joined the Bay Area Ramblers, and she wants to know if
it is a walking group or a talking group.
Overheard
Bobby Mitchell showed up one night at an Old Timers dinner with two black eyes and
a broken nose, which greatly concerned his good friend Nick Poppin. So Nick asked
Bobby what happened. Good Old Bob says Well Nick, I went to the Edinburgh Castle
Pub on Geary Street to have a drink, and I walked up to four rather beefy young
women and I said Hey, you girls are from Scotland, right? And one of them said
Wales, you idiot! To which I replied OK, are you Whales from Scotland? And the
next thing I remember Im in the ER at SF General Hospital. Nick pulled a
hamstring laughing.
This Years Raffle
We have been asked by the Rajah of Raffles, Dave Longa, to remind everybody to get
their raffle tickets purchased or sold and the proceeds sent in nice and early. The
Raffle itself will take place on October 21, 2016, at the Annual Spaghetti Feed at the
Irish Cultural Center. You will receive much more information on that in subsequent
editions of this elegant and informative publication (Whaaaaaat????). But for now,
lets make Dave happy by getting our ticket stubs and money in.
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Only in an Italian Baseball Game

This is hot off the wire from our very own Bob Brandi, who as previously reported has
extensive experience coaching the beautiful American game of baseball in the
magnificent country of Italy. Bob recalls a situation where there were men on first
and second, and the pitcher got the pitch sign from the catcher and got into his
stretch. After a couple of looks at the runner at 2B, the pitcher then began his
delivery to the plate, at which time both runners broke. The pitcher planted his
front foot, his arm came through, but realizing that the runners were in motion, the
pitcher held the ball and wheeled toward 3B and the lead runner was tagged out! A
clear balk, right? Well, a huge argument ensued, with the usual Italian yelling and
wild gesticulations, but the umpires wouldnt call the balk but did call the lead
runner out! The explanation by the plate umpire for the call? Well, I dont think he
meant to balk. (Oh, OK.) Only in Italy!
A New Feature---Baseball Trivia
We have been informed that you guys like baseball trivia questions, so here ya go (but
you gotta wait until next months edition for the answers):
---In 1990, a MLB shortstop set a record for fewest errors in a season at that
position. Who was that shortstop? And how many errors did he make?
---Who is the only MLB player to play over 500 games at each of five positions?

New Members Department

Hey, we got a new Old Timer this month, Mr. Stu Etzler, along with a new Marino
Pieretti Green Jacket guy, the Honorable Jerry Maxwell. Welcome aboard,
Gentlemen, and we look forward to seeing you at many functions.

Rogues Gallery

Nancy Chavez, winner of the SFOTB

Scholarship Award as the 2016
Outstanding Softball Scholar Athlete
Congratulations, Nancy!!!

David Scolari, winner of the SFBOTA

Scholarship Award as the 2016 Outstanding
Baseball Scholar Athlete
Congratulations, David!!

Our Newest Old Timer. Stu Etzler

Our Newest Green Jacket

Jerry Maxwell
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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 REALTYJohn Le
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
KRIS KIMBALL. BRADLEY REAL ESTATE
563 San Pedro Cove, San Rafael 94901 415-706-4100
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
DANIEL E. COLLINS, PORTSMOUTH FINANCIAL SERVICES
250 Montgomery St, Suite 200, SF 94104 415-543-8500 or 800-443-2227 toll free
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
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 & 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 MISSION HIGH SCHOOL
Vince Belli, Eddie Gutierrez, Joe Blea, Steve Riordan, Terry Roach
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
DR. PAUL NIDERMAN, DDS, DENTAL CARE SF, HIGH TECH COSMETIC DENTISTRY
2310 Judah St @ 28th Av, SF 94122 415-564-8330 contact@dentalsf.com