SAN FRANCISCO BASEBALL

OLD TIMERS ASSOCIATION

(Established 1941)

“FROM THE DUGOUT”

October 2021 Edition
_______________________________
Officers Directors

Joe Marino, President Bill DeMattei Nick Poppin

Bill Angel, Vice-President Cliff Righetti Bob Fife

Mike Koppel, Secretary Dave Longa Grant Becker

Paul Varni, Treasurer Gene Hartje Jim McCoy

Bob Mitchell, Sgt. at Arms Paul Giambra Tony Marotto

Gary Bader, Membership Chair Mark Shustoff Jon Hanlon

Leo Martinez, Goodwill Chair

Rich Ford, Golf Commissioner Fashion Consultant

Jim Jarvis, Immediate Past President Ken Mooney

Lou Landini, Newsletter Editor

Leo’s Prayer
Dear God, I know that I’m not perfect. I know that sometimes I forget to pray. I
know that I have questioned my faith. I know that sometimes I lose my temper. But I
thank You for loving me unconditionally anyway, despite all my faults, and for giving
me another day to start over again and be the good person You want me to be.
COVID-19 Update
We know for a fact that vaccines against COVID-19 have been developed and are
being administered with a high degree of efficacy. Are these vaccines 100%
effective? No, they are not, but they are very beneficial to most people. Is everybody
vaccinated? No, they are not. Do people who have been vaccinated still get COVID-
19? Yes, it can and does happen. Should you get vaccinated? That is a personal
decision YOU need to make. But make that decision based on reliable information.
Consult with your doctor, who will know your medical history and present condition,
and who will advise you to do what is best for YOU based upon your total health
picture and the latest available scientific data, not on what a political person or
reporter with an axe to grind is telling you to do. YOUR health comes first, and doing
what your doctor suggests is the best course of action for you and your particular
circumstances.
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 Important Dates Department
WEDNESDAY, October 13, 2021, 11:00 AM---The Marino Pieretti Lunch Group will be
having a Picnic at Coyote Point Memorial Park. Group Chief Dave Longa advises that
the price is $10. For reservations or further information, call Dave at 650-244-9741
or 650-392-4382, or e-mail him at daveandfriends@sbcglobal.net.
THURSDAY, October 14, 2021 6:00 PM---The Monthly Dinner will be held at Nick’s
Seashore Restaurant. The usual cocktail hour precedes the event, and we ask you to
wear a mask upon entering Nick’s and when you leave. There will be a Board of
Directors meeting at 4:30 PM and we will be discussing some important topics. (The
attendance at the September Dinner was better than for August, but there were still a
lot of empty seats.)
WEDNESDAY, October 20, 2021, the Marino Pieretti Group Lunch is set to take place
with cocktails at 11:00 and the usual fine meal will be served at 12:00 Noon at the
South SF Elks Club. Wear your masks, please, upon entering and leaving the
establishment.
WEDNESDAY, November 10, 2021, is the date of the Annual Dante Benedetti Benefit,
but notice that this highly valued and well-attended function is now going to be a
LUNCH, not dinner as in years past. Pieretti Group Chief Dave Longa notes that no-
host cocktails begin at 11:00 AM and lunch will be served at 12:00 Noon. The cost is
a very reasonable $37. Because the 2020 iteration of this outstanding event was
cancelled as a result of COVID-19, the honorees who had been on tap for that year,
Misters Mark Macrae and Jim Griffin, will be recognized this year along with the 2021
honorees, the venerable gentlemen Frank Brady and Paul Firpo. So come out to pay
tribute to these four outstanding men, and enjoy an afternoon of fellowship. Family
and friends are also welcome to attend. If you haven’t received an event flyer and
would like to attend, call Dave Longa at 650-244-9741 or 650-392-4382, or e=mail
him at daveandfriends@sbcglobal.net. And you are reminded to wear your masks,
please, upon entering or leaving the SSF Elks.
New Pisa Alumni Society Update
The New Pisa Alumni Society is proudly devoting donations in memory and honor of
Connie Benedetti. We have seen a sharp increase in New Pisa Alumni Members
making their donations in Memory of someone special. If you would like to do that,
just let us know and we’ll gladly make that notation. The Benedetti name is
synonymous with great generosity, and the New Pisa Alumni Society is a heartfelt Old
Timers tribute to Dante, Connie, Donald and the entire Benedetti Family.
We have recently heard from Brother Old Timer John Donohue, the legendary and
now retired head baseball coach at Lowell HS. John is raising money for “SF Youth
Sports Travel Fund” to support kids’ teams in their efforts to get to games and
tournaments. We have made a New Pisa Alumni donation to John’s group. If you
would like to donate, please make your check out to the aforementioned fund and
send it to John Donohue at 405 Warren Drive, Apt. 6, San Francisco, CA 94131.

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 Kathy’s Fund Update
If you can’t come to a monthly dinner, you can still donate to Kathy’s Fund by
making a check out to SF BASEBALL OLD TIMERS, and indicate on the memo line
“For Kathy’s Fund” and mail it to LOU LANDINI, 208 FOREST PARK DRIVE,
PACIFICA, CALIF 94044. We continue to receive amazing and exceedingly generous
donations recently from Grant and Kathleen Becker, Allan and Annaelisa Dworkin,
Bill Jones, and a host of others who kick in at the monthly dinners. Since the
inception of Kathy’s Fund, we have raised over $13,000. We all keep hoping that one
day, the Alzheimer’s Association will put out the earthshaking announcement that a
cure or effective treatment has been developed.
If anyone in the Old Timers is seeking information about or assistance with a problem
concerning Alzheimer’s disease, your news staff can provide you with contact
information within the Alzheimer’s Association. Confidentiality will be maintained.
Words of Wisdom
“It is inevitable that some defeat will enter even the most victorious life. The human
spirit is never finished when it is defeated…it is finished when it surrenders.” Ben
Stein
When Insults Had Class
“Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go.” Oscar Wilde
“He loves nature in spite of what it did to him.” Forrest Tucker
Membership Report
We in the press room have received word of a new member this month. We would like
to welcome Mr. William Sandoval of Pacifica to the ranks of the Old Timers and look
forward to seeing him at our functions.
In Memoriam
We are deeply saddened to announce the loss of Penny Basso, the wife of Brother Old
Timer Don Basso. Penny was a lovely, talented and delightful lady who succumbed to
a long illness. We ask The Lord to take Penny into His Loving Hands and to provide
solace to Don and his Family in their time of sorrow.
On the Mend
Leo Martinez---Gene Hartje—Bill & Hallie Angel--Mieko Poppin---Ray McDonald
Pete Dalton--Nick Cannuli--Len Grilli—Don & Paula Collopy—Virginia Simon
Chuck Garcia--Ralph Burns——Bill McCullough—Jim Mullan---Kris Longa

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 You Know You’re An Old Timer When
---you know who Adlai Stevenson was.
---you remember Lindy Pens.
---you wore jeans with patches, and you weren’t making a fashion statement.
---you willingly gave up your seat on a bus to an old person.

Bobbie Mitchell, A Man of Great Empathy

Our man Bob, renowned for the kindness and concern he has always shown to others,
was sitting in a bar one day when a man came in waving a pistol. The man angrily
shouted “This is a Beretta 92F semi-automatic 9mm pistol with one in the chamber
and 15 in the magazine, and I’m here to shoot whoever in this joint is having an
affair with my wife!” Bobbie looked over the rim of his glass and said “Hey Pal,
you’re gonna need a lot more bullets.”
Peacock Gap Golf, 09/20/21--Closest to the Pin
3rd Hole---Forward Tee Back Tee
1st Ken Mooney 16-8 Dan Merolla 12-9
2nd Joe Matranga 20-10 Jim Reed 53-11
6th Hole---Forward Tee Back Tee
1st Steve Kavanaugh 6-1 Dan Merolla 8-3
2nd Gary Bader 10-7 Rich Ford 12-0
10th Hole---Forward Tee Back Tee
1st Vic Cipparrone 8-7 Dan Merolla 20-5
2nd Don Schaffer 13-0 Jim Reed 20-6
13th Hole---Forward Tee Back Tee
1st Vic Cipparrone 9-6 Rich Huddleston 9-8
2nd Woody Woodall 37-0 Paul Giambra 33-7
16th Hole---Forward Tee Back Tee
1st Joe Matranga 32-10 Paul Giambra 19-1
2nd Tom Finale 34-5 Dan Merolla 32-2
(This was overheard on the first tee at Peacock Gap:
Steve Kavanaugh: “What is green, blue, purple, bright yellow, red and pink?”
Rich Huddleston: “I don’t know. Sounds weird. What is it?”
Steve Kavanaugh: “Ken Mooney’s golf outfit.”)

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 Thank You Once Again and Always to Our Loyal Sponsors
ROB FIFE, 729 SOLUTIONS
1618 Sullivan Ave, Suite 535, Daly City 94115 650-755-7049

LOREN A. KERTZ, CHARLES SCHWAB CO.

403 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera 94925 415-945-6408 loren.a.kertz@schwab.com

ROBIN GRIDER THE DEIGNAN FAMILY

2020-2021 OLD TIMERS PRESIDENT JOE MARINO, COLUMBUS CAFÉ

562 Green St, SF 94133 415-326-3088

FRANK J. PISA BARBER SHOP

5 Civic Center Lane, Millbrae 94030 650-490-0818

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

SAN FRANCISCO FIREFIGHTERS TOY PROGRAM

Leo Martinez, the late Al McCarthy, the late 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

THOMAS J. BRANDI, THE BRANDI LAW FIRM

354 Pine St, 3rd Floor, SF 94104 415-989-1800 tjb@brandilaw.com

JAR OF GOLD DAVE LONGA

Jim Jarvis, the late Bill Difu and the late Ernie Golding The Friends of Marino Pieretti Group

RETIRED SAN FRANCISCO FIREFIGHTERS

Nick Cannuli, Bill DeMattei, Mel Canevaro, Jim O’Connor, Don Dennehy, Bob Moser,
the late Milt Panagotacos, Mike Pera, Jack Bonnici, Roger Bross, Frank Kelly

ALUMNI OF BALBOA HIGH SCHOOL

Emily Powell (Everybody’s Sweetheart), Nick Poppin, Bob “The Carrot” Mitchell, Gene Hartje, Tony
Boyadzis, Joe Marino, Donald Basso, Elliot “Bart” Bartholomew and Grant Becker

THE BALL TEAM

The late Frank Strazullo, 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 quintessential gentleman Ray Warman, the Late and Great Frank “Cic”
Williams, the late and venerable Victor “Bud” Williams

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 DANIEL DUGGAN, DUGGAN’S SERRA MORTUARY
500 Westlake Av., Daly City, Calif. 94014 650-756-4500 dan@duggansserra.com

ANONYMOUS DONOR
Thanks, Old Timers---Your Monthly Newsletter Is A Great Read

WILLIAM DeMATTEI ALUMNI OF MISSION HIGH SCHOOL

Retired San Francisco Firefighter Fellow Old Timer Eddie Gutierrez, and the late Joe Blea

RETIRED SAN FRANCISCO DEPUTY SHERIFFS

Bill Angel, Carole Murphy, Jim Mullan, Ron Lim, Al Dworkin, Paul Varni, Mike Koppel, Jim Deignan,
Gil Ybarra

HAT TRICK RACING

Grant Becker, Troy Onorato, Pat Ward and Marvin Cortes

TJC FLOORING FLOOR EFFECTS

Terrence Cody Brian Green
415 Old County Road, Unit C 415 Old County Road, Unit C
Belmont, Calif. 94002 650-773-5782 Belmont, Calif. 94002 650-574-0457

GARY BADER & RAY McDONALD

In Memory of Bob Farber

OLD TIMER PAUL NAVARRO, LUCETTI’S RESTAURANT

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

NEW PISA ALUMNI SOCIETY (2021 TEAM MEMBERS)

The Legendary Dante Benedetti; Rich & Victoria Murphy in Memory of Connie Benedetti; Bob
Devincenzi in Memory of Frank & Joan Strazzulo, Manny Piriano & Bob Tobener; Cris & Ron Belli in
Memory of Dante Santora; the late Roldan & Frances Vigil; Joan, Dave and Ed Paulus, Jr. in Memory
of Ed Paulus,Sr; Bill Kirkpatrick; Pat Sullivan; Tad & Barbara Tassone; Grant & Kathleen Becker in
Memory of Vince Zuardo; Leo Martinez; Lou & Judy Landini in Memory of Larry & Patricia Lawson;
Jere & Sandy Driscoll in Memory of Tony Patch; Gene & Diane Hartje; The Honorable Judge Quentin
Kopp; Mike & Denise Koppel; in Memory of Mike Dunne from a fellow Funston Playground Rat; Phil
Kelber; Jim Jarvis; Don & Penny Basso; Bob Mitchell in Memory of Marino Pieretti; Mike & Carole
Murphy in Memory of Ed Paulus, Sr.; Bob & Arlene Fife; Gary Bader & Ray McDonald in Memory of Bob
Farber; Loren Kertz; Donald, Mark, Sharon & Phil Benedetti in Memory of Our Grand Duchess Connie
Benedetti; in Memory of Pete Giovanola from his OT Pacifica Fog Buddies; Joe Gualco; Emily (Queen of
Balboa HS) Powell; Nick & Mieko Poppin; Sue & the late Rudy Bertolozzi; Roger Ferrari; Tony
Rodriguez; Bill Angel in Memory of Tom King; Ken and Carole Mooney in Memory of Connie Benedetti
and Nancy Markey; Jim & Ana Regan; Bob Coffey in Memory of Dr. Rudy Bertolozzi; Steve Callahan in
Memory of Tony Makjevich; Bob & Nancy Crosat in Memory of Mike Dunne; Rene & Louise Courpet in
Memory of Rich Baptista; Jim & Mary Deignan in Memory of Connie Benedetti, Don Basso in Memory
of Terry Landini-Brennan, Don & Claire Schaeffer in Memory of Jim Perry

Jim Perry Memorial September 2021 Trivia Challenge
.Which of these teams (the Giants, Cardinals, Reds,
Athletics) DID NOT win three World Series Titles in a
five-year period?
Answer: The Cincinnati Red, who won the World Series
in both 1975 and 1976, but had lost the 1972 Series to
the Oakland A’s.
Jim Perry Memorial October 2021 Trivia Challenge
Talk about getting your money’s worth for the price
of a ticket, how many innings did the longest major
league baseball game last?
24? 26? 28? 30?
Bonus: When? Which Teams? Who won?