SAN FRANCISCO BASEBALL

OLD TIMERS ASSOCIATION

(Established 1941)

FROM THE DUGOUT

May 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) Bill Angel
Joe Marino (Sgt. At Arms) Leo Martinez (Health and Welfare)
Rich Murphy (Immediate Past President) Rich Ford (Golf Commissioner)

Editors Column
Well, the Giants took the field on Opening Day in Arizona with high hopes and
expectations, but as of the date of this writing they are astonishingly in last place in
the NL West. Kind of a shock, but when you think back to the start of the season, its
not too surprising. A whole bunch of misfortune has hit the team in the form of
injuries---Buster Posey getting beaned and being placed on the Concussion DL,
Denard Span and Jarret Parker both injured (Parker very seriously so) from crashes
into the outfield wall making great catches, and the catastrophic loss of the ace of
the pitching staff, Madison Bumgarner to a left shoulder injury sustained in a dirt
bike accident in Colorado the day before the start of a series at Coors Field. Added to
these is a groin strain sustained by Gold Glove shortstop Brandon Crawford as he was
about to be placed on the bereavement list as a result of the tragic death of his sister-
in-law. The left field position has been proved to be a blank spot in the batting order,
with spring training power sensation Chris Marrero recently designated for
assignment and Parker going on the 60-day DL. Even Manager Bruce Bochy was out
of action for a couple of days with a heart issue.
The bullpen has been a disappointment so far, and the starting pitching hasnt been
all that good either. As of the time Bumgarner went on the DL (for possibly 6 to 8
weeks---but dont bet against an earlier return), he was winless so far this year.
Fellow starters Jeff Samardzija and Matt Moore have been inconsistent, and Johnny
Cueto has pitched well in spots but has been prone to the occasional blow-up inning
where he starts getting the ball up and gets hammered. The one pleasant surprise of

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the starting rotation has been Matt Cain who has put together some pretty good
outings, but we have to wait to see if he can keep this up.
Offensively, they have been pretty bland. As you would expect, Posey, Pence and
Panik are hitting, although Posey and Pence have displayed very little power.
Brandon Belt is inconsistent and continues to strike out on fastballs belt-high on the
outer half---what appears to be real hole in his swing. A recent addition is young
Christian Arroyo who was brought up from Sacramento. He is a very good infielder
who has been playing 3B but by trade is a shortstop but wont get much work there
unless its to give Crawford a day off. Hes got a little pop but mainly hes a gap-to-
gap hitter.
As of this writing, the Giants are 8-15. Yeah, its early in the season, but it just
doesnt seem like the Giants are playing with a whole lot of energy. They dont look
like they can string together a lot of winning series or long winning streak to get
back to .500 baseball and past that to stay competitive in the NL West. Lets hope
that with the calendar turning a page into May, the Giants luck will change, the DL
will empty out, the pitching will sharpen up, the hitting will catch fire, and the team
will land in the post-season to compete for another World Series title. Fingers are
crossed! Remember---the Giants have come back from some ugly situations before.
Kathys Fund----Old Timers vs Alzheimers
Guys, Kathys Fund remains up and running. This battle against Alzheimers goes on
and so does the amazing generosity of the Old Timers. At the April dinner, we
collected $186, bringing our donations to $1664 in cash, just since we started this
campaign last August. Each and every dollar we send off to the Alzheimers
Association will make a difference. Of special note this month were a $100 cash
donation by Ernie Golding, and a $50 check by Old Timer Mike Sheridan and his
fantastic wife Norma. Also, the newsroom received late notification that our own Nick
Poppin sent in a check for $100 a month ago. To all you contributors, the
Alzheimers Association sends its appreciation.
A Public Service Feature from your Board of Directors
Your SFBOTA Officers and Board of Directors, in keeping with our commitment to
fighting for a cure for Alzheimers Disease, would like to make the membership aware
of the 10 Warning Signs of this dreadful illness:
1---Memory loss that disrupts daily life;
2---Challenges in planning or solving problems;
3---Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, work or at leisure;
4---Confusion with time or place;
5---Trouble understanding visual images or spatial relationships;
6---New problems with words in speaking or writing;
7---Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps;

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8---Decreased or poor judgment;
9---Withdrawal from work or social activities;
10---Changes in mood and personality.
Get Your Newsletter by E-Mail
The cost of postage just went up!! So we would urge those members who have e-mail
to sign up by sending me a message at [email protected] and well add you
to the list. It is estimated that the current cost for a mailed copy is $1.60, so with
110 members on the e-maiI system, we are saving about $176 a month, which works
out to about $2100 a year. Thats a nice savings for the SFBOTA.
Important Dates Department
Late Notice!! This just in from Leo Martinez, who got last-minute information about
The First Annual San Francisco Italian Athletic Clubs SF High School Awards
Banquet at which our Brother Old Timers John Donohue and Ron Isola will be
receiving Dante Benedetti Coaching Trophies. This will be on Monday, May 8, 2017,
at the SFIAC, 1630 Stockton St, SF at 6:00 PM. For tickets, call 415-781-0166 or go
on-line at www.sfiac.org. Congratulations to John and Ron!
May 9, 2017---The monthly dinner at the Irish Cultural Center. It is suspected that
the menu item will be pot roast. Leo Martinez will deliver a 40-minute lecture on
how to safely play golf on a course with swarms of really angry bees. (One technique
is to use Tiger Woods famous stinger shot.)
May 17, 2017---The Marino Pieretti Group lunch site will shift to Dominics in SSF.
There will be a seminar at 11:00 on the benefits of the spitball versus the Vaseline
ball, with lunch at 12:00.
June 2, 2017---The Annual Ultimate Old Timer and Men of the Year Awards Dinner
honoring Frank Brady as an Ultimate Old Timer, and Rich Murphy and Kris Kimball
as Men of the Year. (See the enclosed event flyer for your use in sending in your
reservation and menu choices.) This is always a premier event---dont miss it!!
June 13, 2017---The monthly dinner at the Irish Cultural Center, with Pasta with
Meat Sauce featured on the menu, will begin with Lubrication Hour at 6:00 PM and
Comestible Consumption at 7:00. If his health permits, Emil Ruggiero will give a
demonstration of Italian Pole Dancing for a small fee, of course.
June 17, 2017---A special event: The California Coaches Association Annual Awards
Dinner, at which our own Brother Old Timer John Donohue will again be honored,
This dinner will take place in Sacramento. Anyone interested in attending can call
CCA official Rob Grialou at 650-341-2484 for event and ticket information, or you
can visit the CCA website at www.calcoachesassociation.net
June 21, 2017---The monthly gathering of the Marino Pieretti Group will take place
at the fabled Nicks Seashore Restaurant in Pacifica. Group Leader Dave Longa will
give the invocation at the bar starting at 11:00 and will continue invoking until some

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brave soul puts a piece of Nicks signature garlic bread in Daves yap to mark the
12:00 start of what will be a great lunch at a great venue.
Golf News
The May event will take place on the 15th at the ever-popular Foxtail Golf Club in
Rohnert Park. This will be a 9:00 AM shotgun start. Commissioner Rich Ford
promises a fun day of golf.
SPECIAL NOTE: The last time we play an Old Timers event at beloved Oakmont will
be Friday, June 2, with the usual 8:00 AM shotgun start. Be prepared for a long and
fun-filled day because the previously mentioned Ultimate Old Timer and Man of the
Year Banquet is that same day.
And here are the results from the April outing at Alameda:
4th Hole---Forward Tees (1) Paul Giambra 32-7 (2) Nobody
Back Tees (1) Pat Twomey 42-1 (2) Nobody
7th Hole---Forward Tees (1) Paul Giambra 4-5 (2) Nobody
Back Tees (1) Pat Twomey 8-2 (2) Ron Belli 39-9
11th Hole---Forward Tees (1) Nick Cannuli (no distance given) (2) Nobody
Back Tees (1) Pat Twomey 13-3 (2) Rob Dumlao 25-0
15th Hole---Forward Tees (1) Hank Barron 9-8 (2) Ed Bagnani 22-0
Back Tees (1) Kevin Barry 12-9 (2) Joe Matranga 19-0
Note: Yes, you read this right. Pat Twomey won three holes, all made possible by the
rest of us purposely missing the greens just so Pat could win. And to show his
appreciation to all of us real sportsmen, Pats going to buy each of us a dozen brand
new French golf balls---the famous Range balls (pronounced Ron-ZHAY). Youll
recognize these balls---Yellow with a thick black stripe! Thanks in advance, Pat!
Words of Wisdom
Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint. Mark Twain
In Memoriam
We must sadly report the passing of Joe Polich, a stand-out athlete at Mission High
School and retired member of the San Francisco Fire Department. We ask God to
console Joes Family and Friends.
On the Mend
We are distressed to report a number of additions to Members on the DL this month.
This months list: Tony Boyadzis, Bob Martinez, Charlie Silvera, Clarence Grider, Don
Collopy, Jerry Big Sully Sullivan, Hal Fox, Gerry DeRyan, Ben Cardinale, Ron Castro
Larry Nissim. Lets get all these guys back on the field.

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Also added to this list is Jim Dowd, who is making a comeback from a serious illness.
Friends who would like to visit Jim are asked to call first to make sure he is up to
receiving well-wishers.
Frank Brady continues his recovery from a serious surgery, and we hope to see him
receive the wonderful accolades that await him on June 2 as an Ultimate Old Timer.
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
has sent a letter saying how much he appreciates the devoted support of the
SFBOTA.
You Know Youre an Old Timer When
---your mind makes exciting plans your body cant keep.
---you are really, really proud of your lawn mower.
---your idea of a hot night out is sitting on your patio during the summer.
---you quit trying to hold your stomach in, even when cute women walk in the room.

Bobbie Mitchell Redux

Here is a little known fact: Bobbie Mitchell was for a short time an astronaut with
NASA, as was his good and loyal buddie, Nick Poppin. Bob and Nick were sent on an
important mission, a two week voyage to the Moon that was to feature a number of
experiments and a spacewalk by Nick. So they blasted off and successfully achieved
orbit around the Moon. On the day of Nicks spacewalk, Bobbie helped Nick suit up
for this mission, gave him all the tools he was going to need, and helped him out the
door into space.
About an hour later, Nicks task was finished so he floated back to the spacecraft,
knocked on the door, and heard Bobbie say in a puzzled voice Whos there?
Nick radioed back to Earth and asked for somebody to come and take him home.
Rogues Gallery

5 Newest Green Jacket Honoree Stan Cartwright with

Dave Longa at the April 2017 Luncheon
 Jack Scramaglia, Recipient of the 2017 Good
Guy Award, presented at the April 2017
monthly dinner. Congratulations, Jack! Truly a
fitting award for a real Good Guy!

If this photo doesnt take your breath away, nothing will. Here are three
Hall of Fame Old Timers, from L to R, Dominic Cannuli, Bronze Star
Recipient Billy Difu, and the Dean of Umpires Ernie Golding. We are
honored to count these true gentlemen as Brother Old Timers.
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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 REALTY

1553 Second Street, Napa 94559 707-252-2400 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

ROGER MINHANDO, CHALET BASQUE RESTAURANT

405 No. San Pedro Rd, San Rafael 94901 415-479-1070 [email protected]

LOREN A. KERTZ, CHARLES SCHWAB CO.

403 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera 94925 415-945-6408 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

MARK BENEDETTI INSURANCE

199 California Dr, Suite 702,Millbrae 94030 650-697-2044 [email protected]

NICK DUTTO, METROPOLITAN ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION, INC.

2400 Third St, SF 94107 415-642-3002 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]
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 THOMAS J. BRANDI, THE BRANDI LAW FIRM
354 Pine St, 3rd Floor, SF 94104 415-989-1800 [email protected]

DAVE LONGA,
THE MARINO PIERETTI GROUP

TERESA MOORE, THE UNITED IRISH CULTURAL CENTER

2700-45th Avenue, SF 94116 415-661-2494 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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, 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 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

ALUMNI OF MISSION HIGH SCHOOL

Vince Belli, Eddie Gutierrez, Joe Blea, Steve Riordan and the late Terry Roach

Answers to April Trivia--- May Trivia

Question 1---Hoyt Wilhelm 1) Who was the first player to appear on a Wheaties Box?

Question 2---John Smoltz Babe Ruth/Joe DiMaggio/Lou Gehrig/Mel Ott

2) How long was the shortest 9-inning game in MLB history?

91 min./71 min./61 min./51 min.