SAN FRANCISCO BASEBALL

OLD TIMERS ASSOCIATION

(Established 1941)

FROM THE DUGOUT

January 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)

Leo Martinez (Health & Welfare)

Joe Marino (Sgt. at Arms)

Rich Ford (Golf Commissioner)

Editors Column
Happy New Year to All, and we hope that each Old Timer had a wonderful and safe
celebration to welcome 2017. There is a ton of stuff going on this month We as a
nation will inaugurate a new President, and whether you like him or dont, Donald
Trump will be the 45th President of the United States and as such he deserves the
loyal support of all Americans whether you voted for him or not. This is going to be
an interesting time. Stay tuned and watch the show. We all hope its a good one.
As you can see from the masthead at the top of this fish wrapper, we too are
welcoming a new President of our beloved SFBOTA. But first, lets take a moment to
thank outgoing President Rich Murphy for his excellent leadership in 2016 and for
making singers out of us at our meetings. Nobody would ever mistake Rich for
Luciano Pavarottis understudy, nor us as the Vienna Boys Choir, but it was fun. Our
new boss is President Bob Fife who will carry on the rich tradition of superb
stewardship of this storied Association. We also have a new Secretary, Don Basso,
who is one of the funniest people on the planet. And we welcome a new Director, Bob
Rizzo, who just happens to be Dons cousin and also a fun guy and baseball junkie.
And lastly, Spring Training starts in two months, the Giants picked up a genuine
closer in Mark Melancon, they have a super starting rotation, and as of this writing
they are tied for first place in the NL West and are undefeated (along with everybody
else in MLB). I have a feeling its going to be a pretty good season.
Kathys Fund----Old Timers vs Alzheimers
Guys, way back in August when we started this fund, we did so in quiet honor of
Kathy Jones, the wife of Brother Old Timer Bill Jones. With deep sorrow we must
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report that Kathy recently passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her
immediate family and her beloved Bill. From this point on, we will continue our
fund-raising efforts as Kathys Fund. Remember to kick in a buck or two as you
buy your raffle tickets at our monthly dinners. This battle against Alzheimers has
now become personal. Lets help win it in memory of Kathy! You guys have been
awesome so far, with $110 donated in December to bring the total to $935 just since
August, plus a generous donation of a check for $100 by member Jim Deignan.
Get Your Newsletter by E-Mail
The number of members who have signed up for e-mail delivery of their monthly
newsletter is 101, and we are hoping for a lot more. We would urge those members
who have e-mail to sign up by sending me a message at INSPLFL225@HOTMIL.COM
and well add you to the list. Its a real cost saver for the SFBOTA.
Great News
Great things happen to Great People, and this old adage has played out once again for
our loyal and long-time sponsor, Tom Brandi, who is the brother of Fellow Old Timer
Bob Brandi. Tom is a very prominent San Francisco attorney of the utmost ability
and integrity, and in recognition of his tremendous skills as a trial lawyer, he was
recently inducted into the prestigious California State Bar Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame.
This is very special honor for a very special man. And to put a cherry on top of the
whipped cream, Tom was also the recipient of another extremely coveted honor, The
Christ the King Award, conferred on him by his alma mater, St. Ignatius College
Preparatory, for his outstanding contributions to the community. Tom, we are so
very proud of you!! (Despite his fame and success, Tom is still the same humble guy
who was my teammate playing for Marino Pieretti and New Pisa Restaurant.)
Important Dates Department..
January 6, 2017---The Annual Golf Dinner will take place at Nicks Seashore
Restaurant, with rocket fuel being dispensed at 6:00 PM, and dinner beginning at
7:00 PM. Save the date! Our stalwart Golf Chairman, the Reverend Rich Ford, pastor
of the Church of the Holy 3-Putt, always puts on a fantastic banquet.
January 10, 2017---The monthly dinner at the Irish Cultural Center, featuring tuneup hour at 6:00 and a fine pasta with meat sauce dinner at 7:00. This is the night for
the Installation of Officers and Directors. Bring stuff to throw at them.
January 18, 2017---The Marino Pieretti Group will gather for its first luncheon of the
New Year at the South SF Elks Club, with a Mensa Society meeting in the bar at
11:00 and culinary delight at 12:00. Clothing is optional.
January 27, 2017---This is the Annual Bob Lagomarsino Crab Dinner at the Pomeroy
Rec Center. This is a fantastic event, and the limited seating goes fast. Be the first
kid on your block to sign up!! You snooze, you lose! (A flyer is once again attached.)
February 14, 2017---The monthly dinner at the Irish Cultural Center, with happy
juices being dispensed at 6:00 PM and a gourmet meat loaf served at 7:00 PM.
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February 15, 2017---The Marino Pieretti Group will meet at Dominics at Oyster Point
in SSF at 11:00 for medicinal purposes and a comestible bonanza will commence
at 12:00. (Note the short turnaround from the dinner the night before. It happens
every once in a while. Your wives love it! Theyd love it even more if it was in
Alaska!)
Golf News
Golf Commissioner Rich Ford announced that 34 golfers participated in the
competition for Club Champion by playing in at least two of the final three rounds of
the 2016 season, which were at Peacock Gap, Sunnyvale and Santa Teresa. The top
five finishers (and ties) were:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)

Roger Strack---Club Champion (121)---Congratulations, Rog!!!

Rich Murphy (122)
Pat Twomey (123)
Lou Landini (124)
Mike Bagdon, George Quinn and Bill Difu (126)

Rich also has declared some changes in the 2017 rota of courses. Gone from the
Tour will be Bennett Valley, and there will be two added---Sky West in Hayward, and
Moffett Golf Course at Moffett Field. Rich also noted that 2017 will be the last time
we play Oakmont as a club. Thanks, Rich, for all your hard work in setting this up.
In Memoriam
With great sadness we must announce that the following have left us: Dennis McCoy,
brother of member Jim McCoy; member Bob Andreini; member Jim Boccaleoni;
member Frank Pignati; Carl DeAssi of the Pieretti group; and Ernestine Ernie
Murray, long-time companion of member Bill Magidson. May God love, keep and bless
all of these wonderful people, and may He give peace and comfort to their loved ones
in their time of sorrow.
On the Mend
We hope each month that we can skip this section because everyone in the SFBOTA
is healthy as can be. This month it didnt happen. Members on the DL this month:
our outgoing Secretary Tony Boyadzis, Frank Walker, Vince Nocito, Pete Samardzick,
Bob Martinez, Bill Kennaugh, Charlie Silvera, Clarence Grider, Don Collopy, Jerry
Big Sully Sullivan, and Hal Fox---All these great guys are spending time in the
Trainers Room, and the Old Timers wish each and every one of these honorable
Members a speedy and complete recovery. And Larry Nissim continues on his road to
recovery from major surgery and is making good progress.
A Continuing Repeat of a Special Note from Leo Martinez: Jim Perry is on the DL and
is 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 cards, letters and his monthly copy of From the Dugout.
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You Know Youre an Old Timer When

---you begin every other sentence with Nowadays.
---you remember sowing wild oats, but now you eat shredded wheat for the fiber.
---you have started taping daytime game shows.
---you feel like the morning after even though you did nothing the night before.
Bobbie Mitchell Rides Again
Bobbie called his good friend Nick Poppin one day and said Hey Nick, I got a new job
at WalMart as a greeter and I start tomorrow. Nick said Thats great, Bob. Ill call
you tomorrow night to see how its going! So Nick called Bobbie the next night and
asked how his first day went.
Bobbie said I got fired. This very nasty, obnoxious woman walked in with two kids,
and she was screaming at them and calling them names. So I greeted her, said she
had cute kids, and I asked her if they were twins. She said NO, they are NOT twins!
They are 10 and 5. Are you are a moron or just plain stupid? I looked at her and
said Madam, I am neither a moron nor stupid. I just cant believe that somebody had
sex with you twice! Five minutes later, the manager told me my services were no
longer needed. Nick hung up the phone and drank himself to sleep.
Only on a Baseball Diamond in Italy
This is brought to us by our very own Brother Old Timer Bob Brandi, who often goes
to Italy and coaches baseball, a sport gaining in popularity in that storied nation.
Bobs team was playing a weekday game in the Veneto region, and there was only one
umpire, a frequent occurrence. In the 3rd inning of a close game, a cell phone is
heard ringing. The umpire calls time right away, and Bob figures that the ump is
going to chew on somebody for having a cell phone interrupt the game. Nooooooooo!
The umpire pulls out his cell phone and starts talking into it, gesturing vigorously
with his free hand as is common in Italy. For several minutes he is saying Si, si, no,
no, OK, no, si, OK, si, no, si while walking on the infield in front of the plate.
Finally the umpire says Ciao and puts his phone away, barks Gioca (Play) and gets
behind the catcher, at which time somebody in the stands says in Italian did you
decide on your pasta sauce, red or white? Ya gotta love the Italians!! Thanks, Bob!
Baseball Trivia (Last Months Questions & Answers)
---Who hit the famous Shot Heard Round the World home run in 1951? (Believe it
or not, it was the New York Giants Bobby Thompson.)
---Who was the pitcher who gave up that home run? (Believe it or not, it was the
Brooklyn Dodgers Ralph Branca.)
This Months Questions
---Against which team did Babe Ruth hit his first major league home run, and in what
year?
---Which big league manager holds the record for the most ejections, and how many?
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Old Timerisms
---An Old Timer was once heard telling a buddy that he had just gotten back from a
pleasure trip. His pal asked where he went. The Old timer said I took my motherin-law to the airport.
---Another Old Timer said Ive been in love with the same woman for 50 years. If my
wife ever finds out, Im a dead man.
Rogues Gallery

Tom Brandi, California

State Bar Trial Lawyer
Hall of Fame member,
Christ the King Award
recipient, and all-around
Great Guy

New member of the

Old Timers Nick
Shehadeh, another
Great Guy. Nick, nice
to have you with us.

Newest Green Jacket Guy, Harry

Unangst, flanked by Dave Longa (L)
and Joe Marino (R), who are both
trying to lift his wallet. Welcome
aboard, Harry!

Hannah Boys Center

staff members Manny
Arriguin (L) and Dave
Montano (R) each
receiving checks for HBC
from Dave Longa
totaling $750 from the
SOBs and Pieretti Group
at the December Lunch

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
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, 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 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
DR. PAUL NIDERMAN, DDS, DENTAL CARE SF, HIGH TECH COSMETIC DENTISTRY
2310 Judah St @ 28th Av, SF 94122 415-564-8330 contact@dentalsf.com

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!