SAN FRANCISCO BASEBALL

OLD TIMERS ASSOCIATION

(Established 1941)

“FROM THE DUGOUT”

August 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
Designated Hitter or Not? This is a debate that has raged since a rule was
implemented in 1973 allowing the use of the DH in the American League. There is a
definite split of opinion among baseball fans as to whether to pursue certain options
regarding the DH: Option 1---keep the status as it is. Option 2---cause the National
League to use the DH. Option 3---eliminate the DH from Major League Baseball.
Under ordinary circumstances, the DH takes the place of the pitcher in the batting
order. The DH can be a potent extra bat in the line-up, or at least a better option
than the average weak-hitting pitcher. Extra offense can energize fans, who enjoy a
lot of scoring. The DH can also provide an opportunity for “defensively challenged”
players to remain in MLB if they can hit, so it would appear that the Players’ Union
would favor the DH Rule.
On the down side, however, is the fact that the DH impacts baseball strategy. An
American League manager, assuming that his ream is playing another AL team,
doesn’t have to worry about a poor hitting pitcher coming up in an RBI situation. The
Number 8 hitter is less likely to be pitched around if the guy in the 9-Hole is a regular
position player. In the AL, you never see a “double-switch” with pitching changes.
In the NL, if the pitcher’s spot is due up in the next half inning in the latter stages of
a game, the manager may choose to put the incoming pitcher into the line-up in the
spot of a guy who made the last out and put a new position player into the 9-spot so
he’ll hit instead of the incoming pitcher, who then can be used for more than just an
out or two. This scenario can repeat itself several times during a game. AL managers
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find themselves having to adjust to this if their teams are playing an interleague
game in an NL park. And sometimes, an NL starting pitcher who is into the 5th or 6th
inning and pitching very well might find himself being lifted for a pinch-hitter if
there are runners on base and a chance to score badly needed runs. This dilemma
doesn’t exist in the standard AL game. And one final thought---there is a lot of
pressure on the #8 hitter to reach base with two outs rather than have the pitcher
leading off the next inning. Also, this is not an issue in an AL game.
What do you think? What option would you like to see?
Kathy’s Fund----Old Timers vs Alzheimer’s
Guys, Kathy’s Fund remains in full force, and this battle against Alzheimer’s is really
getting hot. At the July Joe Sprinz Day luncheon meeting we collected $132.00 in
cash which is a superb amount in light of the sparse attendance. We are now at a
total of $4963, and it’s a safe bet we’ll break the $5000 barrier at the August
meeting. 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 contribute 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.
Special Notes Department---A Final Reminder
25-Year Membership Pins: the following loyal and dedicated Old Timers who have
reached the milestone of 25 continuous years of membership in the SFBOTA are
eligible to receive their commemorative pins for this achievement---Bill Brown and
Don Domenichelli. (If you have been left off this list in error, please give Treasurer
Ken Mooney a call at 650-355-3667.) You can pick up your pin at a monthly
meeting, or reach out to Ken or your editor (at 650-756-1302) and we’ll get it to you
somehow.
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 planning to make donations to
youth baseball from the proceeds from the New Pisa Alumni sign-ups. As of this date,
we are at 55 members and counting!

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The next donation, as approved by your Board of Directors, is being made, a $250
check to the Galileo High School Girls’ Softball Program.
Important Dates Department
Tuesday, August 14, 2018---the dinner meeting at the Irish Cultural Center will kick
off with cocktails at 6:00 PM and dinner at 7:00. It is rumored that the menu du jour
will feature chicken. Also rumored: Brother Old Timer Paul Giambra will be giving a
lecture at the upstairs bar from 6:00 PM to 6:02 PM on how to cheat the IRS out of a
percentage of winnings from closest-to-the-hole prizes at Old Timers Monthly Golf
Extravaganzas! (See Golf News below.) Assisting Paul will be Leo Martinez, whose
presentation will from 6:02 to 6:03!
Wednesday, August 15, 2018---the Marino Pieretti Lunch Group will have one of its
periodic back-to-back Old Timer Overdoses with a lunch the day after the monthly
meeting. The August caper will be at the Oyster Point Yacht Club, with adult
beverages (not movies) at 11:00 AM and a fine repast commencing at Noon.
Commodore Dave Longa hopes to see Y’all there! Ahoy!
Tuesday, September 11, 2018---the dinner meeting at the Irish Cultural Center
commences with a convocation of spirits (that’s cocktails) at 6:00 PM, followed by a
fine repast (that’s dinner) of pasta and meat sauce at 7:00. Before dinner, stop by the
raffle and Kathy’s Fund table and pick up some time-honored tips from Bobbie
Mitchell on the fine points of peeling and inserting of carrots.
Wednesday, September 12, 2018---a Special Event, A Day on the Bay boat cruise put
on by Dave Longa for the Marino Pieretti Group. The Blue and Gold Fleet Vessel will
board at 10:30 AM at Pier 39 and depart at 11:00. (See the flyer attached to this
newsletter.) Dave puts on this great three-hour cruise for the very reasonable price of
$41, which includes an on-board lunch. The photo ops alone are worth the price!!
Wednesday, September 18, 2018---the Marino Pieretti Group convenes once again,
this time returning to the friendly confines of Nick’s Seashore Restaurant in Pacifica.
A lecture on the benefits of various forms of alcohol in improving native intelligence,
enhancing one’s sense of humor, and bringing forth charm in dealing with ladies will
be presented by the dynamic fraternal duo of Frank and Emil Ruggiero from 11:00 to
11:03 AM, and lunch will be served at 12:00. Do not miss this one!!
Special Announcement from Ken Mooney
Treasurer Ken Mooney is in possession of a cell phone and set of keys that were
apparently inadvertently left behind by an Old Timer or guest at a recent dinner
meeting at the Irish Cultural Center. Should you be the Inadvertent One, please see
Ken at the next meeting and claim your phone and/or keys. We’ll be discarding
these items soon if unclaimed.

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 Golf News
The June 25 Monarch Bay Scramble Winner was the team of Leo Martinez/Nick
Cannuli/Nick Poppin (67)
There was a 2nd place tie (68) with Ken Mooney/Mike Bagdon/Roger Strack/Steve
Kavanugh, and Gary Bader/Frank Brady/Jack Scramaglia/Lou Landini
Here are the Closest to the Hole awards were:
4th Hole---Forward Tees (1) Elliott Bartholomew 26-9 (2) Leo Martinez 37-0
Back Tees (1) Nobody (2) Nobody
7th Hole---Forward Tees (1) Gary Bader 6-9 (2) Leo Martinez 17-10
Back Tees (1) Bob Ford 40-0 (2) Nobody
10th Hole---Forward Tees (1) Ken Mooney 3-1 (2) Gary Bader 23-3
Back Tees (1) Rich Ford 19-6 (2) Nobody
17th Hole---Forward Tees (1) Ken Mooney 16-6 (2) Gary Bader 19-4
Back Tees (1) Nobody (2) Nobody

Here are the Closest to the Hole winners for Skywest on July 16:
5th Hole---Forward Tees (1) Jack Scramaglia 5-6 (2) Gil Ybarra 11-9
Back Tees (1) Nobody (2) Nobody
8th Hole---Forward Tees (1) Rich Ford 6-3 (2) Cliff Righetti 7-1
Back Tees (1) Dean Asimos 12-7 (2) Lou Landini 15-9
12th Hole---Forward Tees (1) Bill Jones 19-9 (2) Leo Martinez 25-11
Back Tees (1) Ron Lerohl 14-11 (2) John Schmolke 24-4
16th Hole---Forward Tees (1) Pat Dianda 26-2 (2) Gary Bader 37-1
Back Tees (1) Dean Asimos 43-0 (2) Nobody
(***Next Events: 8/13 at Metropolitan Golf Links and 9/10 at Peacock Gap.***)
Words of Wisdom
“Now, now my good man, this is no time for making enemies.” ---the French
philosopher Voltaire on his deathbed in 1778, in response to a priest asking him to
renounce Satan.
In Memoriam
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of two stalwart Old Timers, John
Egan and Bob Martinez. These long time and cherished Old Timers will be greatly
missed. We ask God to take great care of John and Bob, and to provide comfort and
peace to their Families. Godspeed, John and Bob.
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 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: Len Grilli, Doris Fox, 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 has been having
some significant health issues, but reports have it that he is holding his own and
improving. Connie Benedetti is doing better and better each day!
A late addition to the DL is Joe Marino, recovering from hand surgery.
Continuing on this list is Jim Dowd, who continues making progress in his comeback
from a serious illness. Friends who would like to visit Jim are reminded to call first
to make sure he is up to receiving well-wishers, and count on seeing him after 1:00
PM.
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…
---your grandchildren want to know if you had electricity when you were a kid.
---you remember having to use a real can opener to have a beer.
---you read a history book and realize you were there when the history occurred.
---you have never gotten a “Participation Trophy.”
Bobbie Mitchell---Suave and Debonair Man About Town
Bobbie, along with his great buddy and fellow Balboa graduate Nick Poppin, is sitting
in a bar enjoying a drink or three, when a rather large plus-sized woman sidles up to
him and starts caressing his hair. Bobbie, somewhat taken aback by this unusual
situation, does his best to ignore what he perceives as an unwanted advance, and
stays focused on his drink. Finally, the woman huskily says to Bobbie, “Hey, you’re
kinda cute. You got a phone number?”
Bobbie says “I do. Do you have a pen?” The woman replies, “Yes, I have a pen.”
Bobbie boozily turns to her and says, “Good. Now go back into it before the farmer
notices you’re missing.” Nick is the guy who drove Bobbie to the Emergency Room.
You May Be A Country Boy If
1) You take your dog for a walk and you both use the same tree.
2) You can entertain yourself for more than 15 minutes with a fly swatter.
3) Your boat has not left your driveway in 18 years.

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 Rogues Gallery

Photos from a Great Old Timers

Tradition---Joe Sprinz Day, a day for
Members to bring their Kids and
Venerable Old Timer Emil Ruggiero (he’s the Grandkids to lunch
guy in the middle) with his two outstanding
grandsons!

Long-time and honorable Old Timer Bill Galea

with his grandson, who looks like a future first-
round pick as a middle linebacker!

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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

July’s Trivia Question Answer The August Trivia, again supplied by Brother Old
Timer Jim Perry, who is our Trivia Guru
Nolan Ryan allowed an MLB record 2,795
walks, which includes walks he issued in In 1934 Indians 1B Hal Trosky set a rookie season
both the NL and AL. record with 374 total bases. 30 years later, what AL
Rookie tied Trosky’s record? And what team was he
The AL record holder was Early Wynn with
with? (If this question gives you a headache, blame
1,775 over 23 seasons with the Indians,
8 Trivia Commissioner Jim Perry!)
Senators and White Sox.