SAN FRANCISCO BASEBALL

OLD TIMERS ASSOCIATION

(Established 1941)

“FROM THE DUGOUT”

May 2019 Edition
_______________________________
Officers Directors
Jim Jarvis, President Nick Poppin Bob Fife
Joe Marino, Vice-President Bill DeMattei Bob Rizzo
Mike Koppel, Secretary Cliff Righetti Bill Angel
Paul Varni, Treasurer Ray McDonald Mark Shustoff
Bob Mitchell, Sgt. at Arms Jim McCoy Gene Hartje
Gary Bader, Membership Chair Dave Longa Ken Mooney
Leo Martinez, Goodwill Chair
Rich Ford, Director of Golf
Lou Landini, Immediate Past President and Editor

Very Important Special Notice

Just to give everybody a head’s up, the June Edition of this newsletter is going to be
very short, with very few if any of the regular features you have come to know and
love. This is because your entire editorial and production staff (me) is going to be in
Europe for most of the month of May, and I am not going to risk the wrath of Mrs.
Editor by working on the newsletter while on our trip. So all you’re going to get in
the June edition is upcoming events and other information of importance.
Editor’s Column
Well, after the first month of the major league baseball season, we SF Giants fans
haven’t had much about which to get excited. As of this writing, the Giants are a
paltry 9-14 and at the bottom of the NL West. The leading hitter is at .242 and the
team has hit only 16 home runs through 23 games. The pitching has been OK, with a
pretty good showing by the bullpen, and the team defense has been decent. But
hitting has been a sore spot, and also a surprising number of very costly baserunning
mistakes has taken them out of some innings. We’re talking basic stuff, like a guy
trying to take third base on a ground ball to his right, leading to an easy out at 3rd
base, or tagging up with one out and getting thrown out at 3rd base on a medium fly
ball to right center, or getting picked off at 1st base, or getting called out for running
outside the first base line restraining box. The offending runners in most of these
cases are the speedier Giants, and they are making mistakes more common to high
school freshman. These screw-ups should not be happening at the big league level.
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Are things gonna improve as the year moves along? Not much I’m afraid. This team
is just not going to hit a lot. The mental mistakes should diminish, the fielding
should be OK, and the pitching will be consistent (with the inevitable bad game now
and then that afflicts every team). But this is a lackluster group with not a lot of
promise of help at this time. According to baseball guys in the know, the Giants’
farm system is one of the weakest in the big leagues, so there’s no first aid coming
from down below. Now, looking long-term, are some guys on the roster going to be
traded later this season? Don’t be surprised to see Bumgarner and Belt moved,
although Bum’s stock is continuing to drop, as it has since his motorcycle crash.
Belt can help a contender with his streaky power bursts, good on-base percentage,
and solid defense. But how much are they worth in terms of another team’s good
young prospects. What will Farhan Zaidi be able to acquire to start the Giants on the
road to recovery over the next few seasons? Huge questions with bleak answers.
Nuts!
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 April meeting we collected $240 in cash, and we are now at a
total of $6758, and counting! Each and every dollar we send off to the Alzheimer’s
Association is making 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. (And once again, Brother Old Timer
Grant Becker quietly capped off the April meeting’s donations with another $100 bill.
Thank you, GB!) (And as we near press time, we are pleased to report generous
donations from Old Timers Marty Gent and Stephen Driscoll that bump our total now
to $6868. Many thanks, Marty and Stephen!)
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
As of January 1, 2019, the New Pisa Alumni started anew and is seeking existing
members to re-join, and for new members to sign up.
To join the New Pisa Alumni in 2019, 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. Remember, this is for kids’ baseball.
Important Dates Department
Tuesday, May 14, 2019---with Spring in full swing, our monthly meeting will take
place at Nick’s with cocktails at 6:00 PM and the usual outstanding meal at 7:00 PM.

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There is a rumor going around that the evening’s entertainment will be provided by
Ernie Golding doing his imitation of Edgar Bergen with Mortimer Snerd, with Bobbie
Mitchell playing the part of Mortimer. Fact or Fiction? Show up and find out!
Wednesday, May 22, 2019---the Marino Pieretti Drum and Bugle Corp meets once
again, this time at Dominic’s in SSF’s Oyster Point, with cocktails at 11:00 and a fine
lunch at 12:00. Again, in the rumor mill, it is alleged that Emil Ruggiero will be
giving a lecture on the techniques of smuggling bootleg whiskey in the dead of night
in high seas with Dave Longa as his deckhand. Truth or Baloney? Once more, you
gotta be there to find out.
Friday, May 31, 2019---the Annual Ultimate Old Timer and Men of the Year Awards
Dinner will be held at Nick’s, cocktails at 6:00 and dinner at 7:00. This year’s
honorees will be Nick Poppin (Ultimate Old Timer) and Mike Bagdon and Don Basso
(Men of the Year). What a deserving line-up!! (A flyer is included in this newsletter.)
Tuesday, June 11, 2019---the monthly meeting at Nick’s will be on tap. SPECIAL
NOTE: BEGINNING WITH THIS JUNE GATHERING, DINNER WILL BE SERVED AT 6:30.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL CONTINUE TO MEET AT 5:00. AND JUST SO WE
ARE CLEAR ON THE CONCEPT, THE 6:30 START TIME FOR DINNER WILL REMAIN IN
EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Wednesday, June 19, 2019---the Marino Pieretti Group tees off for their monthly
gathering at Nick’s, with a Tibetan prayer service led by Ernie Golding at 11:00 AM
and lunch at 12:00 Noon.
Golf News
Moffett Field Results
5th Hole: Forward Tees (1) Mike Bagdon 16-4 (2) Nick Cannuli 25-6
Back Tees---Nobody
7th Hole: Forward Tees (1) Nick Cannuli 21-0 (2) Bill Angel 38-11
Back Tees (1) Peter Sugar 21-3 (2) Paul Giambra 25-0
13th Hole: Forward Tees---Nobody
Back Tees---Nobody
15th Hole: Forward Tees (1) Bill Angel 49-9 (2) Nobody
Back Tees (1) Dean Asimos 21-11 (2) Nobody
Alameda Results
5th Hole: Forward Tees (1) Jack Scramaglia 7-5 (2) Ken Mooney 13-5
Back Tees (1) Tyler Ribera 3-7 (2) Paul Giambra 25-3
7th Hole: Forward Tees (1) Jerry Nuneman 9-5 (2) Bob Fife 14-8
Back Tees (1) Kevin Barry 8-8 (2) Tom Callen 11-7
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11th Hole: Forward Tees (1) Cliff Righetti 6-10 (2) Nobody
Back Tees (1) Dean Asimos 14-2 (2) Tom Callen 31-2
16th Hole: Forward Tees (1) Leo Martinez 7-1 (2) Nobody
Back Tees: Nobody
On the Mend
This month’s list: Jim Dowd (who has had a serious set-back but is doing a bit better),
Charlie Silvera, Don Collopy, long-time Old Timer Bill McCullough. and Virginia
Simon, wife of the late Bob Simon. Chuck Garcia lost a scuffle with gravity and was
injured in a fall, but tough cookie that he is, he is on the mend and recovering. And
last, word just in to the newsroom, Roger Ferrari has had a medical issue and is
reported to be resting comfortably at home.
A continuing reminder: Jim Perry, who is this year’s winner of the prestigious Good
Guy Award, 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…
---Happy Hour is a nap.
---the many candles on your birthday cake set off your home sprinkler system.
---your memory is shorter and your complaining is longer.
---your idea of weightlifting is standing up.
Bobbie Mitchell-Again??
As we all know, Bobbie Mitchell is a proud graduate of Balboa High School, and the
four best years of his life were spent as a sophomore at Bal! But one of his weak
spots was English class. One day, his teacher, Mrs. HooRah, said “Mr. Mitchell, I
want you to use the word ‘fascinate’ in a sentence.” Bob looked around for a minute,
hoping a classmate might whisper a hint to him. No such luck. Then all of a sudden,
Bob beamed brightly and said “I got it!” Bob puffed his chest out and said “I have ten
buttons on my shirt but I only like to fasten eight!” Mrs. HooRah resigned as a
teacher that day and went to work for a firm that makes false teeth in Siberia.
Rogues’ Gallery

Here is our latest Marino Pieretti Green

Jacket Recipient, Old Timer Ron
Gleeson (R), presented by SF Giants
Legend Mike Murphy. Ron is the son
of the late Jack Gleeson, an Old Timers
stalwart. Congratulations, Ron!

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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

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

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

THOMAS J. BRANDI, THE BRANDI LAW FIRM

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

DAVE LONGA JAR OF GOLD

THE MARINO PIERETTI GROUP Old Timers Jim Jarvis, Ernie Golding and Bill Difu

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

THE GRIDER FAMILY

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, the late Larry Lawson, Jim Dowd,
George Schnapp, Rich Blackburn, Con Maloney, Stu Etzler, John Green, Dan Harrington

ALUMNI of BALBOA HIGH SCHOOL

Emily Powell, 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 Strazzullo, The late John Alameda, Mike Bagdon, Rich Ford, Con Maloney, Billy Jones,
Art White, Ken Mooney and the late Jerry “Big Sully” Sullivan

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 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

THE DEIGNAN FAMILY

ALUMNI OF MISSION HIGH SCHOOL

Fellow Old Timer Eddie Gutierrez, the late Al Gallagher

RETIRED SAN FRANCISCO DEPUTY SHERIFFS

Bill Angel, 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

Terence 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

RODRIGUES STRAWBERRY STAND

12625 Saratoga Avenue, Saratoga, California
Doug Rodrigues, Brandon Gomez, Old Timer Ron Castro

OLD TIMER PAUL NAVARRO, LUCETTI’S RESTAURANT

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

NEW PISA ALUMNI SOCIETY (2019 TEAM MEMBERS))

Frank Brady, Bill Kirkpatrick, Gary Hughes, Bob Restani, Gary Bader, Dan Harrington, Pat Sullivan,
Don Benedetti, Connie Benedetti, Don Benedetti, Mark Benedetti, Sharon Benedetti, Phil Benedetti,
Judy & Lou Landini, Tony Rodriguez, Bill Difu, Joe Gualco, Tad Tassone, Nick Shihadeh, Grant Becker,
Jim Jarvis, Bill Angel, Emily “Queen of Balboa” Powell, Roger Strack, The Honorable Judge Quentin
Kopp, Rene Courpet, Bob Mitchell, Bill Collins, Frank Ruggiero, Gene & Diane Hartje, In Memory of
Larry Lawson, Rudy Bertolozzi, Ken Mooney, Phil Kelber, Roldan & Frances Vigil, Roger Bross, Rich
Sciutto, Jim McCoy, Dave Longa, Rich Ford, Mike Koppel, Rich Murphy, Nick Cannuli, Donald Basso,
Mel Canevaro, Tom Brandi, Nick Poppin, Roger Ferrari, Jere Driscoll, Bob Crosat, Ed Paulus Sr.,
Ed Paulus Jr., Dave Paulus, Bob Devincenzi, Jack Scramaglia, Stephen Driscoll, Jim Perry, Jim
Deignan, Mike Bagdon, Bob Lee, Ed Sickinger, Bob & Arlene Fife, Ron Belli, Paul Giambra, George
Mutto, Dan Merolla, Pete Pompei, Eddie Gutierrez, Gus Buono, Beverley McCarthy, Stephen Driscoll,
Patrick Sullivan

April’s Trivia Answer The May Jim Perry Teaser

The great Billy Williams had 2021 walks in 9788 Which MLB team had 10 players who hit
plate appearances, which works out to 20.6%! .300 or better with at least 200 at-bats?
Hint: it’s been a while.

And a Reminder: from Gary Bader, the SF Prep Hall of Fame 37th Annual Awards Banquet will take
place on Saturday, May 18, at the Spanish Cultural Center at 2850 Alemany Blvd. in SF. (A flyer is
attached to this newsletter for your convenience.)