SAN FRANCISCO BASEBALL

OLD TIMERS ASSOCIATION

(Established 1941)

“FROM THE DUGOUT”

October 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
Well, Brother Old Timers, the 2018 Major League Baseball Season of the San
Francisco Giants, which began with a glimmer of hope at the start of the year, came
crashing down in a train-wreck 15-0 loss to the Dodgers in the last game of the
season. It has been an injury-filled year, with Giants’ stalwarts Buster Posey,
Brandon Belt, Pablo Sandoval, Joe Panik, and Brandon Crawford all spending big
chunks of time on the DL. It was also a year of horrible hitting, with way too many
strikeouts and way too few home runs. It was a season of inconsistent pitching, with
starters and relievers both alternating between “hey, not too bad” and “wow, that
stunk.”
About a week before the end of the season, the Giants announced the end of Bobby
Evans’ reign as General Manager. So what does this mean? Who on the roster is
exposed if the Giants expect to re-build. Posey, who for what appears to be physical
reasons, has turned into a high-salaried singles hitter, has a no-trade clause in his
contract. Brandon Crawford is a defensive genius but a very inconsistent hitter, also
is a no-trade guy. Brandon Belt, whose contract calls for a boatload of money, makes
him hard to trade despite is underproduction as a hitter because the Giants would
have to eat a big portion of that contract if they moved him. Madison Bumgarner,
while still a good pitcher, is not the same guy he was in 2016 and previous years. His
motorcycle accident early in the 2017 season doubtlessly damaged his arm, causing a
loss of velocity. How much is he worth now?

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The kids who came up during the 2018 season were OK, but aside from RHP Derek
Rodriguez, there weren’t a lot of head-turning moments. And what other talent lurks
in the Giants’ farm system that can help right the organization and restore it to
credibility? We don’t know yet who the new GM will be, nor do we know what kind of
checkbook he’ll have to use to shop for hitting, power, speed and consistent pitching.
At this point, it is too early to be pessimistic about the 2019 Giants, but at the same
time it is hard to be optimistic. Good Luck, Mr. GM, whoever you are. We hope you
get the powers and authority to do what you need to do to give us our real SF Giants
back.
Kathy’s Fund----Old Timers vs Alzheimer’s
Guys, Kathy’s Fund remains in high gear, and this battle against Alzheimer’s is really
getting hot. At the September meeting we collected $112 in cash which is a nice
amount. We are now at a total of $5465, and counting! 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 chip in 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.
The New Pisa Alumni Society---Repeat Announcement
To join this elite group, 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 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 then we’ll do it all again in succeeding years! Be the first kid
on your block to sign up! The Board of Directors is making donations to youth
baseball from the proceeds from the New Pisa Alumni sign-ups. As of this date, we
are at 60 members and counting!
Important Dates Department
Tuesday, October 9, 2018—the dinner meeting at the Irish Cultural Center, featuring
Bobbie Mitchell’s favorite meal, Pasta with Meat Sauce, will begin with a lecture on
the Philosophy of the Infield Shift, presented by Vice President Jim Jarvis at the
Dining Room Bar, beginning promptly at 6:00 PM and ending at 6:02 PM. Dinner will
be served at 7:00 PM. (And please, nobody tell Bobbie that the UICC chefs have
started including finely ground carrots in the Meat Sauce. Shhhhhhh.)
***Special Notes: At this meeting, the winning tickets for our 2018 Raffle, ably
administered by Dave Longa and Emil Ruggiero, will be drawn. See the attached flyer

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with details about bringing guests that night. And, we will begin Nominations for
2019 Officers and Directors at this meeting!***
Wednesday, October 17, 2018---the Marino Pieretti Group will gather for its monthly
lunch at the South SF Elks Club, featuring Liquid Courage Hour at 11:00 in the Bar,
and the usual fine meal beginning at 12:00 Noon. Pieretti Group Squadron Leader
Dave Longa is arranging a puppet show featuring Pinocchio undergoing a lie detector
examination concerning alleged collusion with the Russians.
Tuesday, November 13, 2018---the monthly dinner meeting at the Irish Cultural
Center will feature (surprise) a fine meal of Turkey. There is a strong rumor going
around that several Past Presidents are going to appear in Turkey Suits, under the
influence of the seasonal favorite beverage Wild Turkey! You gotta be there for that!
And it’s a good bet that more Nominations of Officers business will take place that
night.
Wednesday, November 14, 2018---the Annual Dante Benedetti Baseball Benefit
Dinner, at the SSF Elks Club, put on by Dave Longa and the Marino Pieretti Baseball
Group is on tap. Cocktails at 5:30 PM and Dinner at 7:00. See the enclosed flyer.
This year’s honorees are the venerable Lou La Torre of Sabella La Torre Restaurant
fame, and the infamous Lou Landini Jr. This is always a great event, and is quite a
bargain for only $38 per person. Reserve your seats early! (See the enclosed flyer!)
Wednesday, November 21, 2018---the Marino Pieretti Lunch Group will congregate for
its monthly lunch at Dominic’s at the Oyster Point Yacht Club, with cocktails and
Bible Study at 11:00 AM and the usual fine meal at 12:00. The House Swami, Emil
Ruggiero, will read your palm as long as there is a $20 bill in it.
Golf News
Here are the Closest to the Hole Winners at Peacock Gap
3rd Hole---Forward Tees (1) Joe Matranga 35-3 (2) Rich Murphy 41-6
Back Tees (1) Rob Kelly 22-1 (2) Nobody
6th Hole---Forward Tees (1) Leo Martinez 30-0 (2) Nobody
Back Tees (1) Paul Navarro 29-0 (2) Nobody
10th Hole---Forward Tees (1) Joe Matranga 10-10 (2) Nobody
Back Tees (1) Rich Hagemann 29-5 (2) Paul Navarro 39-0
13th Hole---Forward Tees (1) Roger Strack 2-10 (2) Leo Martinez 19-1
Back Tees (1) Paul Navarro 16-1 (2) Nobody
16th Hole---Forward Tees (1) Ron Restani 6-2 (2) Nobody
Back Tees (1) Bob Ford 11-11 (2) Rich Hagemann 13-1

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 Words of Wisdom
“The Positive Thinker sees the Invisible, feels the Intangible, and achieves the
Impossible.”---Winston Churchill
In Memoriam
With our deepest sadness, we must report the passing of George Matranga, a long-
time fellow Old Timer and the brother of Old Timer Joe Matranga. George lost his
valiant battle against cancer on Friday, September 28, 2018. May George rest in
peace in the presence of the Lord, and may his Family be comforted in the
knowledge that George is with God.
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: Jim Dowd, Mike Maffei, 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? Still fighting hard, and has been granted membership in the
“Hard to Kill Club!” (He’s New Pisa Tough!) And Bill Magidson, whose health has
stabilized, is moving to Roseville to be closer to family.
Connie Benedetti is doing better and better each day, and word has been received
that long-time member Horst Tannenberg is struggling with health issues.
We in the newsroom heard from Brother Old Timer Ron Lerohl, who wants all to know
that reports of his impending demise were greatly exaggerated! Ron said that he is
recovering nicely from a significant surgery and doing what has been prescribed for
him to get him back to 100% in short order. Keep working hard, Ron!!
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. Jim, by the way, is our
newsletter’s Baseball Trivia Contributor and a donor to Kathy’s Fund.
You Know You’re an Old Timer When…
---you like mush.
---you give arm signals for turns while driving.
---you remember having milk delivered to your house.
---the cars you rode in didn’t have seat belts.

Bobbie Mitchell---Adventurer
Now here’s something you never knew about Bobbie, but at one time he grew tired of
the hustle and bustle, the traffic and the high cost of living of his native Bay Area, so
Bobbie packed it all in and bought a very nice little spread in Big Sky Country, out in

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the middle of nowhere. Bobbie’s place was beautiful, with views of towering
mountains, lakes, lush forests and stunning skies. Bobbie’s estate was so remote
that it was a 3-hour ride to the nearest grocery store.
One day as Bobbie was sitting on his front porch enjoying the impressive vistas, he
saw a plume of dust which seemed to be growing closer and closer. He got out his
binoculars and saw an all-terrain vehicle approaching, driven by a guy. About an hour
later, the guy pulled into Bobbie’s front yard and said “Howdy, I’m Homer and I’m
your nearest neighbor. My spread about is about 75 miles away. I want to invite you
to a party Saturday night at my place. There’s gonna be some great food, a lot of
liquor, some singing and dancing, and maybe a little, well, you know…”
Bobbie, have been quite alone since moving, was thrilled with the idea of social
interaction, so he said “Hey Homer, Thanks, I’ll be there! What should I wear?”
Homer said, “Aw Shucks, it don’t matter none. It’ll just be you and me.”
Bobbie was back in the Bay Area two days later, well before the party!!

Rogues Gallery

We welcome our newest Old Timer Past Presidents Lunch 9/27/2018-- Back Row:
Bob Mikovich Nick Poppin, Bob Fife, Jim Jarvis, Ray McDonald,
Frank Brady, Gary Bader, Ken Mooney, Lou
Landini. Front Row: Hank Barron, Dave Longa,
Rich Murphy, Rich Ford, Pete Dalton, Ernie
Golding, Nick Cannuli, Leo Martinez

A Special Note: How many groups like ours can boast

of 3 generations of family members all involved in
professional baseball? We can!!! We have Past
President Ray McDonald, his son Ray, and now
grandson Mickey, a member of the Oakland A’s farm
system. Very Impressive, Clan McDonald!!
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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

PAUL NAVARRO, LUCETTI’S RESTAURANT

109 W. 25th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403, phone 650-574-1256

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

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 THE GRIDER FAMILY

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 “The Carrot” 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, Judy and 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, Steve Callahan, Beverly McCarthy, Pete Dalton, Bob Crosat, Ken Mooney, Ed
Paulus, Dave Paulus, Eddie Paulus, Mike Brosnan, Bob Restani, Bob Lee, Mel Canevaro,
Bob Devincenzi, Bob Schumann, Ernie Golding, Bill Jones, Jere Driscoll, Con Maloney,
Bill Kirkpatrick, Emily Powell, Roger Ferrari, Jack Scramaglia, George Mutto, Rene Courpet,
Larry Lawson, John LeTourneau, Bill Collins, Bill Difu, Pete Pompei, Frank Brady

September Trivia Answer The October Trivia Teaser, by Trivia Guru Jim Perry

Who hit 40 or more HRs is 2015, yet didn’t Name the pitcher later named to the Hall of Fame
reach 100RBI? who won the Cy Young Award three times during
the 1970s.
Nelson Cruz 44/93, Bryce Harper 42/99,
Mike Trout 41/90, Carlos Gonzalez 40/97,
7 and Albert Pujols 40/95