SAN FRANCISCO BASEBALL

OLD TIMERS ASSOCIATION

(Established 1941)

“FROM THE DUGOUT”

July 2022 Edition
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Officers Directors

Bill Angel, President Nick Poppin Jim Jarvis

Paul Varni, Vice-President Cliff Righetti Bob Fife

Donald Basso, Secretary Reggie Smith Grant Becker

Paul Giambra, Treasurer Dan Angel Jim McCoy

Bob Mitchell, Sgt. at Arm Mike Koppel Tony Marotto

Gary Bader, Membership Chair Mark Shustoff Joe Lavin

Leo Martinez, Goodwill Chair Nick Shihadeh (alternate)

Rich Ford, Golf Commissioner Fashion Consultant

Joe Marino, Immediate Past President Ken Mooney

Lou Landini, Newsletter Editor

Leo’s Prayer
Heavenly Father, we who do our best each day to live by Your Words find ourselves in
the midst of challenges to our faith. We have a portion of the world at war, and
foreign powers have designs on the United States to make us into a godless empire.
We have internal struggles in our country which challenge us to overcome forces
which are trying to take Your Divine Word and Guidance and remove them as our
beacons of Your Love and Salvation. We pray to You, O Lord, for the Wisdom and
Courage to defeat these challenges and achieve the Goodness and Holiness that You
have intended for us. Hear us, O Lord.
An Important Announcement
Your current editorial staff assumed the task of composing, producing and
distributing the monthly Old Timers newsletter seven years ago upon the passing of
the legendary and irreplaceable editor John McCarthy. We will be retiring and turning
over the controls for this important duty to an outstanding writer and dedicated
personality, Brother Old Timer Nick Shihadeh, after the December 2022 Edition of
“From The Dugout” has been produced and distributed. Nick will take this
publication to new heights and will dazzle you with his skills, humor and
perspectives. I know you will give your total support to Nick as you have to your
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existing news staff. But from now until the end of this year, you’re stuck with what
you have right now!
COVID-19 Update
Your Editorial Staff had a personal brush with a COVID-19 infection in mid-June after
attending my grandson’s graduation with two degrees from the University of Oregon.
Your Editorial Staff was fully vaccinated and boosted yet somehow an evil microbe
found its way onboard and caused several days of discomfort. But the vaccine likely
mitigated the severity of the infection and facilitated a speedy recovery. But once
again, your news staff counsels you to consult with your doctor about vaccinations
and what your treatment options would be if you become infected.
Important Dates Department
Thursday, July 14, at Nick’s Restaurant in Pacifica, the Monthly Dinner will take
place. Cocktails begin at 5:00 PM and dinner will start promptly at 6:00. The
Officers and Board of Directors meeting will commence at 4:30 PM. NOTE
CAREFULLY: IF YOU WANT TO ATTEND THIS DINNER, YOU MUST RESERVE A PLACE
BY CONTACTING EITHER DAVE LONGA (PHONE: 650-392-4382 OR E-MAIL:
daveandfriends@sbcglobal.net) OR JIM JARVIS (PHONE: 650-260-2613) BY FRIDAY,
JULY 8th, SO THAT WE CAN GIVE NICK’S A HEAD COUNT SO THEY KNOW HOW
MANY MEALSTO PREPARE. (IT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO YOUR NEWS STAFF BY
DAVE AND JIM THAT SEVERAL OF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY DISREGARDED THIS
CALL-IN MANDATE. WE ASK YOU ONCE AGAIN TO RESPECT THIS PROCEDURE AND
NOT OPERATE ON YOUR OWN TIMELINE.)
Wednesday, July 20, the Monthly Marino Pieretti Lunch and Yodeling Competition
will gather at a new venue, SHARP PARK GOLF COURSE CLUBHOUSE in Pacifica, with
cocktails at 11:00 AM and lunch at 12:00 Noon. And we repeat a special request
from Crew Chief Dave Longa---if you are a REGULAR guest at these great gatherings,
but find yourself UNABLE to attend, call Dave in advance (Phone: 650-392-4382) so
he can adjust the head count with the restaurant staff so we don’t have to pay for
meals prepared but not eaten. (Ya gotta hand it to Chieftain Longa, who is always
searching for places that are convenient to reach and provide an interesting venue
for these time-honored gatherings.)
New Pisa Alumni Society Status Report
We have picked up a whole new squad of New Pisa Alumni for 2022. So to be listed as
an NPA, please send in a check payable to the SF BASEBALL OLD TIMERS, for $10
per name you want listed, and mail it to LOU LANDINI, 208 FOREST PARK DR.,
PACIFICA, CA 94044. This is a great way to honor special people in your life and to
perpetuate the legendary generosity of the Benedetti Family. This month we received
a HUGE donation from Mark Benedetti in Memory of his Mom, Connie, of his Dad,
Donald. Upon the motion of Director Reggie Smith, the Board approved a $250
donation from the NPA to the Mike Norris Baseball Academy to help underprivileged
kids learn the great game of baseball under SF Baseball Legend Mike Norris. Thank
you to All of You who have contributed to this fun charity!!

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 Kathy’s Fund Update—Our Battle Against Alzheimer’s Disease Continues
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. At the June meeting we received amazing and exceedingly
generous donations once again from Grant & Kathleen Becker and Bill Jones, and a
load of others who quietly slide money into the Kathy’s Fund can at the monthly
dinners. The on-going largess of the Old Timers is simply incredible. We’re all hoping
that one day soon, an earth-shattering announcement will come from the Alzheimer’s
Association that a cure or effective treatment has been found for this brutal disease.
Your news staff follows developments in Alzheimer’s Research, and progress is being
made by the researchers. It’s slow, painstaking work, but these people are relentless!
Bless them!
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. Rest assured, confidentiality will be
maintained.
Words of Wisdom
“Everyone is in favor of free speech. Hardly a day passes without its being extolled,
but some people’s idea of it is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone
else says anything back, that is an outrage.” Winston Churchill (Editor’s note: there
are many examples of this in play today with the “Cancel Culture Movement.”)
In Memoriam
We are profoundly saddened by the passing of Jennifer Kavanaugh Jones, the beloved
wife of Eric Jones, daughter of Brother Old Time Steve Kavanaugh and his wife
Sandy, and daughter-in-law of Ultimate Old Timer Bill Jones.
We also sorrowfully lost long-time Brother Old Timer Joseph “Buzz” Orengo. Buzz was
a fun guy and his personality will be sorely missed.
May God keep Jennifer and Buzz at His side and provide comfort to everyone whom
these wonderful souls have left behind. The Old Timers are grieving along with their
Families.
On the Mend
Barbara Golding (wife of the Late Great Old Timer Ernie Golding), Ann Righetti, Gene
& Diane Hartje, Bill & Hallie Angel, Ray McDonald, Pete Dalton, Nick Cannuli, Len
Grilli, Don & Paula Collopy. Virginia Simon, Chuck Garcia, Bill McCullough, Jim
Mullan, Kris Longa, and John Ward (who has had a rough go in his recovery from a
serious leg injury). Y’all keep getting better!
Think Long and Hard About This
“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity. An optimist sees the
opportunity in every difficulty.” Winston Churchill (again)
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 You Know You’re An Old Timer When
---you were expected to knock down a Shortstop on a double play.
---as a catcher, you NEVER had your own catcher’s gear.
---during your high school years, you played in 3 or 4 leagues during the summer.
---you thought long-time SF Umpire Dick Code looked like Charles deGaulle

Bobbie Mitchell, A Man of Compassion

Early in his adult life, Bobbie decided he’d give Medicine a try as a career. So he
enrolled at U. Gottabekiddingme School of Medicine and Sheet Metal and got his MD
with a minor in Fenders. Bobbie’s first assignment was in the infectious disease
department at the University Hospital. His first patient was a man with multiple
symptoms of grave concern, so Bobbie checked him out and ran a series of tests.
Bobbie gently told the patient he was afflicted with Hypercrappolerosis Snoozola and
had only about 6 months to live. The distraught patient asked “is there anything you
can give me for this? Pills? A shot? Anything to help me live longer?” Bobbie wrote
on a prescription form and handed it to the patient, who said “Doc, this says GET
MARRIED AND MOVE TO OMAHA, NEBRASKA. Why would I do that?” Doctor Bob
said “It will seem like forever.”
A Profound Thought on Aging
“By the time you’re 80 years old, you’ve learned everything. You only have to try to
remember it.” George Burns
Valley of the Moon GC Closest to the Flag
Hole 5 Forward Tees Back Tees
1st Rich Murphy 47-9 The Phantom
2nd The Phantom The Phantom
Hole 8 1st Mark Shustoff 21-4 Rich Huddleston 9-9
2nd Bob Daley 24-2 Paul Giambra 37-9
Hole 13 1st Leo Martinez 14-0 Don Papa 18-9
2nd Jerry Nuneman 24-0 Joe Matranga 44-11
Hole 16 1st Brian Dwyer 13-6 Rich Hagemann 31-6
2nd Mark Shustoff 39-9 Don Papa 39-0

Hey!! We’ve Got Some New Members

Let’s extend a warm Old Timers Welcome to our three newest Members!!
Carole Murphy
Barbara Leroux
William Eckburg
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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, the late 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, the
late 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

WILLIAM DeMATTEI
Retired San Francisco Firefighter

ALUMNI OF MISSION HIGH SCHOOL

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, the late 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

NEW PISA ALUMNI SOCIETY (2022 TEAM MEMBERS)

The Legendary Dante Benedetti; Ron & Cris Belli in Memory of Dante Santora; Phil Kelber in Memory
of Billy Downing; Don and Clare Schaeffer in Memory of Jim Perry; Bob Devincenzi in Memory of
Frank & Joan Strazzulo, Manny Piriano & Bob Tobener; Paul Giambra; Lou & Judy Landini in Memory
of Lou Sr. & Cathy Landini, Larry & Patricia Lawson, Penny Basso & Terry Landini-Brennan; Joan,
Dave, and Ed Paulus, Jr. and Cindy Clark in Memory of Ed Paulus,Sr; Bill Kirkpatrick; Jim Jarvis; Gary
Bader in Memory of Bob Farber; Ken and Carol Mooney in Memory of Nancy Markey and Pete
Giovanola; Don Basso in Memory of Terry Landini-Brennan; Roger Ferrari (two donation); Tony
Rodriguez; Bill Angel; Bill Collins; Mike & Denise Koppel in Memory of Terry Landini-Brennan; Alan &
Annealisa Dworkin; Tom Brandi in Memory of Marino Pieretti; Bob & Nancy Crosat in Memory of Jack
Strange SFFD; Bob Restani; Lou Landini, Roger Strack & Tad Tassone in Memory of Mike Dunne; Nick
& Mieko Poppin in Memory of Jim Poppin; Jim McCoy; Rene & Louis Courpet in Memory of Rich
Baptista & Chuck Bonnici Sr; Tad & Barbara Tassone; Gene & Diane Hartje; Steve DeBenedetti in
Memory of Reno DeBenedetti; Bobbie Mitchell in Memory of Marino Pieretti; Bob & Christine Lopez in
Memory of Raymond Lopez; Bob & Arlene Fife; Steve Callahan in Memory of Frank Gomez & Brian
Nakamoto; Rich & Victoria Murphy in Memory of Connie Benedetti; Jack Scramaglia; Emily “The
Balboa Queen” Powell; Jim Hodges; Mel Canevaro in Memory of Roldan Vigil; Jim Regan; Sandy
Driscoll in Honor of Jere Driscoll and Tony Patch; Frank Ruggiero in Memory of his brother Emil
Ruggiero; Donald A. Benedetti, Mark Benedetti, Phil Benedetti & Sharon Benedetti in Memory of
Constance Benedetti & Donald G. Benedetti; Verlis R. & Reginald B. Smith; Grant & Kathleen Becker in
Memory of Vince Zuardo

HUMOR FROM THE WORLD OF BASEBALL

---“Running a ball club is like raising kids who fall out of trees.” Tom Trebelhorn
---“I watch a lot of baseball on radio.” Former President Gerald Ford
---“Bob Gibson is the luckiest pitcher I’ve ever seen. He always pitches when the
other team doesn’t score any runs.” Tim McCarver
---“I never took the game home with me. I always left it in some bar.” Bob Lemon
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