SAN FRANCISCO BASEBALL

OLD TIMERS ASSOCIATION

(Established 1941)

“FROM THE DUGOUT”

March 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
Heavenly Father, Because of the lethal pandemic we have endured over the last
twelve months, we of the Old Timers have been unable to share meals with our
Brethren in fellowship; we have been discouraged from visiting or being visited by our
friends; we have been prohibited from performing the acts of mercy of comforting
fellow Old Timers suffering from illness; and we have been unable to pay our final
respects for those members who have passed on. We ask Your Divine Intervention to
give each of us the strength to endure these deprivations until You see fit to allow
our lives to return to normalcy and safety. We pray for this in Your Name, O Lord.
A Milestone Is Upon Us
Your news staff was recently reminded by our resident Trivia and Statistical Genius,
Michael Simon, of the very important fact that 2021 is the 80th Anniversary of the
founding of the San Francisco Baseball Old Timers Association. It seems like just
yesterday that we celebrated our 70th Anniversary with a magnificent luncheon at the
Basque Cultural Center that featured a packed house. Regrettably, because of the
COVID-19 virus, it appears unlikely that we will be able to congregate and celebrate
our 80th but this achievement of continuing fellowship, friendship and unity of
purpose is a tribute to the Membership of this august group.
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 A Repeat of the COVID-19 Update
As you are all well aware, the COVID-19 virus continues to rage world-wide, but we
have hope in the form of several vaccines that are now coming out to help quell this
scourge. Now the issue is: how do we get the American and world populations
vaccinated so that the spread of this disease is slowed dramatically and ultimately
stopped. A vaccine is not a magic pill like penicillin or a pain medication, both of
which can be fast-acting. A vaccine works on the principle of enabling a body to
develop antibodies that will fight off a disease and prevent serious consequences. So
as more and more people get vaccinated, the spread of COVID-19 will start to slow
and at some point be effectively stopped. This is an issue for government health
officials to work out. There is no definitive date on any calendar for this to happen.
So, in the meantime, it is imperative for all of us Old Timers, a group at high-risk for
infection with serious consequences, to consider Vaccination, to practice safety
measures such as wearing a mask, extensive hand-washing, social distancing and
avoiding crowds, all so we don’t get sick and/or transmit the disease to others. Your
job is to keep your name off the Disabled List and out of the In Memoriam box
because of this virus.
THE PROPOSED FEBRUARY BOARD MEETING
A meeting of Officers and Directors took place on February 16, 2021, in the limited
space of the outdoor seating area of the SSF Elks Club. The issues of when, where
and how we can have our monthly dinners were once again the main topics of
discussion, but effective and equitable solutions remain elusive. President Joe
Marino has scheduled another meeting for March 16.
New Pisa Alumni Society Update
The New Pisa Alumni Society continues to be very successful, and your Officers and
Directors will vote on proposed charitable donations at the next meeting. And we are
proudly adding a new aspect---we are going to devote 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 tribute to
Dante, Connie and Donald. So far sign-ups in February have been going well,
including wonderful donations by Emily (Queen of Balboa HS) Palmer, Joe Gualco and
Nick Poppin, and an ULTRA-LARGE donation by Grant & Kathleen Becker!
Kathy’s Fund Update
Despite the fact that we haven’t been able to have our monthly dinners, should
anyone like to contribute to Kathy’s Fund during this lull period, please do so 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. Treasurer Paul Varni has been able to continue sending
checks to the Alzheimer’s folks for donations sent in, including very generous
donations by Gloria Lombardo in loving Memory of Mike Lombardo, Don Basso in
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Memory of Pete DeGuara, The Honorable Judge Quentin Kopp, Ron Belli, Jerry
Finale, an Anonymous Member (who must be in the Witness Protection Program) in
Memory of Kathy Jones, and as reported last month, a HUGE donation by Grant and
Kathleen Becker. 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. So, until we convene again, whenever that may be, let’s keep the
donations coming so we can achieve that cure we all so badly want to see.
Important Dates Department
Ain’t nuthin’ going on right now because of the Virus. Rich Ford has postponed the
Golf Dinner indefinitely, and Dave Longa hopes the Dante Benedetti Dinner in
November can go off as planned.
In Memoriam
We are saddened to report the passing of long-time Brother Old Timer Steve Driscoll,
a veteran of many years of service with the San Francisco Police Department.
(Steve’s family has asked that donations in his memory be directed to the San
Francisco Police Athletic League.) Also leaving us was Primo Dente, a very popular
member of the Marino Pieretti Lunch Group. We extend our heartfelt condolences to
the Driscoll and Dente Families, and we pray that both men rest in peace in God’s
Hands.
On the Mend
Pete & Rosemary Dalton--Nick Cannuli--Len Grilli--Jim Perry--Tony Boyadzis
Don & Paula Collopy--Virginia Simon--Chuck Garcia--Ralph Burns--Bill Angel
Bill McCullough--Emil Ruggiero--Jim Mullan—Rudy Bertolozzi
A Note of Special Interest
The 2021 Dues notices have been sent out by Membership Chairman Gary Bader, but
apparently some members are balking at paying because we can’t have the monthly
dinners as a result of COVID-19 shutdowns. C’mon Guys, you’re making Gary
nervous. Send in those checks!
The Kind of News We LOVE to Report
A special note of Congratulations to Fellow OT Marc Zimmerman on the birth of his
beautiful Granddaughter, Lyla Zimmerman, who arrived on 2/10! Welcome, Lyla!!
You Know You’re An Old Timer When
---you used wooden bats that had been broken, then nailed, glued and taped.
---you played on a team wearing mismatched jerseys and Big Ben pants.
---you played “strikeout” against a wall at your local park.
---you warmed up pitchers and caught bullpens with no catcher’s gear.

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 The Mitchell Legend---The Early Days
A little-known fact is that Bob Mitchell’s great uncle, Abner Mitchell, was a minister
with his congregation in the Russian River area. During one horrific rainstorm, the
water was rising rapidly and severe flooding was imminent. Abner was at his church
when a Sheriff’s deputy drove by and said “Reverend, jump in and I’ll drive you to
safety.” Abner declined, saying “Thank you, but God will provide.” The water
continued to rise, and Abner had to seek refuge on an outside balcony, and a fireman
in a boat floated up and said, “Reverend! Climb aboard and I’ll take you to safety.”
Again, Abner said “No thank you, the Lord will provide.” Finally, the water got so high
that Abner had to climb up on the roof. A Coast Guard helicopter flew overhead, threw
down a rope, and the crew said “Grab the rope, Padre, and we’ll take you to safety.”
Abner once again declined, saying “The Lord will provide.” Well, Abner drowned and
appeared soaking wet in Heaven, where he found God and asked Him, “Lord, why didn’t
you save me?” God said “Abner, I sent you a sheriff’s car, a boat and a helicopter!
What more did you want?”
Words of Wisdom
“Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason.” Mark
Twain
“The young man knows the rules, but the old man knows the exceptions.” Oliver
Wendell Holmes, Sr.
When Insults Had Class
“He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary.”
William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway)
“Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?” Ernest
Hemingway (about William Faulkner)
Some Comments on Local Sports
On February 17, 2021, the sun shone a little brighter, the air was a little sweeter, the
clouds a little more beautiful, and the world seemed a little bit peaceful. Why, you
ask, despite what turmoil we have endured recently? Because Pitchers and Catchers
reported for Spring Training! Major League Baseball is just a few weeks away from
the start of the season! We get to watch games again, maybe not in person for a
while, but certainly on TV! Think about this---watching a game on TV is a very
economical alternative to making it out to the local MLB yard. You’re saving the
price of a ticket, which is approaching the cost of a down payment on a house. The
beers in your fridge are way cheaper. The food at home is also far less costly than a
stadium dog or burger. You don’t pay for parking in your own garage. You don’t have
some boob in the row behind you knocking over his beer or soda down your neck or
all over your ankles. But at home, you miss out on the palpable excitement of the
crown when something good happens, and you don’t hear that indescribable sound of
a baseball being squared up on the sweet spot of a bat. There really is something cool
about being there. But either way, we’re about to see the game we all love. Yessss!

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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 650-697-0736

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, 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, 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
Retired San Francisco Firefighter

ALUMNI OF MISSION HIGH SCHOOL

Fellow Old Timer Eddie Gutierrez, the late Joe Blea

RETIRED SAN FRANCISCO DEPUTY SHERIFFS

Bill Angel, Carol 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 Grdeen
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; Bob Devincenzi in Memory of Frank & Joan Strazzulo, Manny Piriano
& Bob Tobener; Cris & Ron Belli in Memory of Dante Santora; 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; Mike & Carol Murphy; 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 & Carol 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; Rudy &
Sue Bertolozzi; Roger Ferrari

Jim Perry’s February 2021 Challenge Jim Perry’s March 2021 Trivia Challenge

Pete Rose played 3562 MLB games, and twice Which player stole 60 bases in one season
played 163 in a season (1974 with the Reds in with the Toronto Blue Jays?
left field, and 1979 with the Phillies with 158 a) Lloyd Moseby b) Alfredo Griffin
at 1B).
c) Roberto Alomar d) Dave Collins
It is a virtual certainty that this Iron Man
achievement will never again be recorded In what year? And who finished 2nd on the
again in the Major Leagues. team, with how many steals?