SAN FRANCISCO BASEBALL

OLD TIMERS ASSOCIATION

(Established 1941)

“FROM THE DUGOUT”

November 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, as we celebrate Thanksgiving Day, we of the Old Timers Baseball
Association give thanks to You for granting us the love, fellowship and dedication to
common goodness we find in our Membership. None of this would be possible
without Your Divine Guidance and we offer You our profound thanks and prayers. We
humbly beseech You to continue us on this wondrous path You have set for us in
health and safety. To You we pray, O Lord, in Your Honor and Glory.
In Profound Honor of Our Veterans
Each year a day is set aside to honor the Veterans of Military Service in our Nation’s
Armed Forces. That day this year is Thursday, November 11. It should be the whole
month. In fact, it should be each and every day.
Just what does it mean to be a veteran? It means that a person signed up or was
drafted to serve in the Army, Navy, Marine Corp, Air Force or Coast Guard, at great
personal sacrifice. It means putting oneself at the disposal of the populace of the
United States of America to protect us from all enemies, foreign and domestic. It
means extreme sacrifice, moving away from loved ones for extended periods of time
to any number of places around the globe, many of which are locations which test
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one’s ability to endure hardships of all kinds. It means that at any moment, one’s
service in the military may result in the call to put oneself in combat and in grave
danger of death or catastrophic injury with lifelong disability. It means transforming
oneself from an ordinary person to a hero of uncommon valor in a heartbeat as two
late Brother Old Timers, Bill Magidson and Billy Difu, did during World War II. It
means, for all Veterans, that the United States of America, though flawed as it may be
in its current political climate, remains the greatest country in the history of the
world as a result of your selfless dedication and service in our Armed Forces. And for
your service, we offer you our deepest gratitude and appreciation. On this Veterans’
Day, please accept our salutes and thanks for your dedicated service. May God bless
you and keep you.
COVID-19 Update
The turmoil over mandatory vaccinations continues. The debate over the efficacy of
the vaccines is ongoing, and it can be heated at times. We in the newsroom are not
scientists or doctors. The only advice we can safely and ethically give you
concerning vaccination is, once again, to urge you to consult with your doctors for
their advice on this issue. Whether you choose to be vaccinated or not, please
continue to takes steps to keep yourself safe and healthy. The Old Timers want you
around for a long time to come.
Important Dates Department
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.
THURSDAY, November 11, 2021, is the next Monthly Dinner, scheduled for 6:00 PM
at Nick’s Seashore Restaurant, preceded by the usual Happy Hour at 5:00. The Board
of Directors and Officers will meet at 4:30. The second round of nominations for
Officers and Directors will occur at the dinner meeting. (Frankly speaking, the
attendance at the last two dinner meetings has been embarrassingly low, and has put
Nick’s in a position wherein they have prepared many meals that have gone unserved
and unpaid for. This reflects badly on the Old Timers. Let’s fix that by coming out to
attend these monthly dinners. Or your Officers and Directors may have to find a
solution that some may find onerous.) And please wear your mask.

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WEDNESDAY, November 17, 2021 is the next Marino Pieretti Lunch gathering. The
no-host cocktail hour begins at 11:00 with the usual fine lunch hitting the tables at
12:00 Noon, all at Dominic’s at the Oyster Point Yacht Club.
WEDNESDAY, December 15, 2021 is the date set for the Annual Marino Pieretti
Christmas Lunch, with no-host cocktails kicking off at 11:00 AM and lunch being
served at 12:00 Noon. The customary venue for this event is Nick’s Seashore
Restaurant, and is always an outstanding event.
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.
As we noted in the October edition of this fish wrap, we 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.
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, Bill Jones, Alan and Annealisa
Dworkin, Judge Quentin Kopp 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
“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your
character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think
you are.” Hall of Fame Basketball Coach John Wooden
“Talent is God-given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-
given. Be careful.” Again, Coach John Wooden

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 When Insults Had Class
“Winston, if you were my husband, I would poison your coffee!” Lady Astor to
Winston Churchill. “Madam, if I were your husband, I would drink it!” Winston
Churchill to Lady Astor.
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, Bob Mitchell,
Chuck Garcia, Ralph Burns, Bill McCullough, Jim Mullan and Kris Longa
You Know You’re An Old Timer When
---you remember air raid sirens being tested throughout San Francisco.
---you remember disaster drills in class when you had to climb under your desk.
---your Mom got all dressed up with a hat and gloves to go shopping downtown.
---you remember eavesdropping on party line conversations.

Bobbie Mitchell, A Man of Great Empathy

Our man Bob was sitting in a bar having a cocktail with his great friend Nick Poppin
when an agitated man walked in, ordered 6 double shots of whiskey, and slammed
them down in rapid succession. Bob asked the guy, “Why are you so wound up?”
The man said he had just lost everything he had in a divorce settlement, and then he
loudly proclaimed “All Lawyers are Scumbags!” A man at the end of the bar stood up
and replied “Hey, I object to that!” The agitated man asked Bob “Is that guy a
lawyer?” Bob said, “Hell no, he’s a Scumbag!” (Drum roll, Please!)
Alameda Golf Course--Closest to the Pin
5th Hole---Forward Tee Back Tee
1st Cliff Righetti 30-1 Rich Huddleston 26-0
2nd Rich Murphy 50-1 Rick Baptista 37-1
7th Hole---Forward Tee Back Tee
1st Vic Cipparrone 8-8 Bill Jones 4-0
2nd The Phantom Paul Giambra 25-0
11th Hole---Forward Tee Back Tee
1st The Phantom Paul Giambra 41-8
2nd The Phantom The Phantom
16th Hole---Forward Tee Back Tee
1st Joe Matranga 10-2 The Phantom
2nd Ken Mooney 15-0 The Phantom
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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 & the late 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 October ’21 Trivia Challenge. Jim Perry Memorial November ‘21 Trivia Challenge
How many innings did the longest MLB game last? The last National League player to win back-to-back
24? 26? 28? 30? MVP honors was Joe Morgan in 1975 and 1976?

Answer: 26 innings on 5/1/1920 between the Brooklyn Who was the last NL player who did that before Joe
Robins and the Boston Braves. It ended up being called Morgan? And for what team and in what years?
a tie game on account of darkness.