SAN FRANCISCO BASEBALL

OLD TIMERS ASSOCIATION

(Established 1941)

“FROM THE DUGOUT”

September 2022 Edition
_______________________________
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, Sr.

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 Words of Guidance from Our Lord

Carry a heart that never hates, a smile that never fades, and a touch that never
hurts. Swallow evil and unkind words so they go unsaid---they won’t give you a
stomach ache, but will prevent heartache. And never look down on someone unless
you are preparing to help them up. (Editor’s Note: These are not just bland
platitudes. I’ve known Leo Martinez for at least 40 years, and he has proven over a
lifetime to be one of the kindest, gentlest, most considerate people on Planet Earth,
and this is how he lives his life. This works---try it! You won’t be sorry.)
A Repeat of 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.” Nick has a great personality and a tremendous sense of humor,
and he will keep you laughing in print and in person. Hint: Do not read his
newsletters or hang around him if you have a full bladder---you will have a urinary
accident from laughing too hard!
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 COVID-19 Update
According to the latest medical news, new variants of the COVID-19 bug are popping
up, and infection rates are reportedly on the rise. Many of us Old Timers fall into the
“at risk” categories because of our advanced ages. 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. While medical professionals have
made great strides in developing medications and treatment protocols, we still need
to be cautious and take steps to keep ourselves from being infected. Stay vigilant in
order to stay healthy!!
Important Dates Department
Thursday, September 8, at Nick’s Restaurant in Pacifica, the Monthly Dinner and
Biblical Archeology Seminar 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. We had previously requested call-ins to “Pajama Jim” Jarvis
or Dave Longa to let us know if you were planning on coming, but the response was
virtually non-existent so don’t bother to call. We’ve averaged 60-65 dinners being
served so that’s what Nick’s will set out.
Wednesday, September 14. the Monthly Marino Pieretti Lunch and Creative Hair
Braiding Competition will gather at a Special Location, COYOTE POINT PARK,
EUCALYPTUS AREA #4 with cocktails at 11:00 AM and lunch at 12:00 Noon. The last
time that Pieretti Crew Chief Dave Longa held an event there, it was highly acclaimed
and everybody who attended really had a great time and a fantastic meal. And we
repeat a special request from Dave---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 food service staff so we don’t
have to pay for meals prepared but not eaten.
Wednesday, September 21, another Marino Pieretti Lunch and Latvian Poetry Recital,
this time at Sharp Park Golf Course. Lubrication at 11:00 AM and victuals at Noon.
And remember to call Dave if you can’t make it.

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 perpetuate the legendary generosity of
the Benedetti Family. Once again, we are asking Old Timers to come up with
suggested groups of kids who could use a few bucks to support their baseball
activities. We truly appreciate all of you who have contributed to this fun charity,
and we want to give you a say in where the money can best be spent!
Remember the days of our youth? What kept us occupied and out of the doghouse?
Baseball!! So let’s help today’s kids put down their cell phones and pick up bats!

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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 our monthly dinners, it is so gratifying to watch fellow
Old Timers slip considerable amounts of cash “into the can” secretly hoping that
their donation will be the one that leads to the end of this evil disease. 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 and cruel scourge.
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.
In Memoriam
We must sadly report the passings of two cherished members of the Old Timers
Family. We lost Barbara Golding, the elegant and dignified wife of the late Iconic Old
Timer Ernie Golding, and not long after, we sustained the loss of long-time Brother
Old Timer Dave Carelli. May God receive them both into His Eternal Care.
On the Mend
“Pajama Jim” Jarvis, Ann Righetti, Grant Becker, 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 are in
our prayers and under orders to keep getting better!

Hey!! We’ve Got Some New Members to Meet and Greet!

Let’s give a hearty Welcome Aboard to these new members who are willing to risk
their reputations and standing in the community by joining our ranks:
Mike Norris, Gerry D’Arcy, Mike Fauss, Tony Marotto Jr., and Jack Fragulia
We hope to see you often at our monthly dinners, Pieretti Lunches and other Old
Timers functions!
You Know You’re An Old Timer When
---you have never received a “participation trophy.”
---you had to beat guys out for a spot on the team, and to be a starter.
---you took a bad hop ground ball off the lips and stayed in the ball game.
---your Mom never came to your games because she was at home cooking.

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 Bobbie Mitchell, A Doctor of Divinity
In our many years of knowing Bobbie Mitchell, we have found him to be a man of
several pursuits in life. One we recently discovered is that Bobbie wanted to become a
Catholic priest. So he ended up being assigned to Holy Moley Parish, and on his first
Sunday there, he was scheduled for the 9:00 AM Mass. After the service, he met with
the pastor, Monsignor Boomballatti, and jovially asked “Well, Boss, how did I do?”
“Well, Father Bobbie, first of all, the proper terms are ‘The Father, Son and the Holy
Ghost, not Big Daddy, The Kid and The Spook. Next, it is Jesus Christ and the
Apostles, not J.C. and His Boys. And lastly, next Sunday there will be a TAFFY-
PULLING CONTEST at ST. PETERS, not the other way around. Got it?”
(Fr. Mitchell decided to resign when he learned that the Monsignor was transferring
him to a church 500 miles north of the Arctic Circle.)
Foxtail GC Closest to the Flag
Hole 3 Forward Tees Back Tees
1st Gary Bader 14-5 Jim Reed 18-1
2nd The Phantom Ron Lerohl 38-7
Hole 6 1st Gary Bader 12-2 Rob Texeira 13-1
2nd The Phantom Gil Ybarra 17-3
Hole 13 1st Leo Martinez 17-3 Dean Asimos 17-6
2nd Gary Bader 21-5 Mark Shustoff 22-9
Hole 15 1st Gary Bader 7-10 Jim Reed 25-1
2nd The Phantom Paul Grossman 40-1
Club Championship Standings After One Round
Here are the 11 low net players and ties following the opening round at Foxtail GC:
(1)Mark Shustoff—58 (2) Gil Ybarra---63 (3) Mike Bagdon---64 (4) Jim Reed & Ken
Mooney---66 (5) Gary Bader & Rich Huddleston---67 (6) Cliff Richetti, Ron Lerohl, Bud
Clinton & Rick Baptista---68. There are a ton of guys still in the running with two
rounds yet to play. (It has been reported that leader Mark Shustoff is famous for his
“count every other shot” method of score-keeping, and that there is no such thing as
a missed putt.)
Some Things to Ponder
“The only mystery in life is why kamikaze pilots wore helmets!”---Al McGuire
“The only difference between Stupidity and Genius is that Genius has its limits.”---
Albert Einstein
“It would be nice to spend billions of dollars on schools and roads, but right now that
money is desperately needed for political ads.”---Andy Borowitz
“Never under any circumstance take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same
night.”---Dave Barry
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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 GARY BADER & RAY McDONALD

Retired San Francisco Firefighter In Memory of Bob Farber

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

LUCETI’S RESTAURANT—Brother Old Timer Paul Navarro

109 W. 25th Avenue, San Mateo, 650-574-1256

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

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO YOGI BERRA

“Make a game plan and stick to it. Unless it’s notworking.”
“Never answer an anonymous letter.”
“I’d give my right arm to be ambidextrous.:
“Little League Baseball is good because it keeps parents off the streets.”
---Courtesy of Guest Humorist and Brother Old Timer Mike Koppel