San Francisco Baseball Old Timers Association "From The Dugout" July 2016 Edition
San Francisco Baseball Old Timers Association "From The Dugout" July 2016 Edition
San Francisco Baseball Old Timers Association "From The Dugout" July 2016 Edition
Directors
Bill DeMattei
Jim Jarvis
Dave Longa
Frank Brady
Paul Varni
Nick Poppin
Cliff Righetti
Editors Column
This month we are going to acquaint you with another Old Timer who has made a
difference in his life to his family, his community, his friends and to the San
Francisco Baseball Old Timers Association. Allow me to present to you a genuine
great guy and true gentleman, Leo Martinez. Leo was born in Jackson, California in
1939 and he and his family moved to San Francisco in 1944 and lived in the Mission
District, the Ocean View neighborhood, and then the Potrero. Leo attended school at
Starr King Elementary, Denman Junior High, Horace Mann and then Lowell High
School. Leo was an industrious lad and possessed a strong work ethic, as evidenced
by a vigorous history of newspaper routes and corner sales spots.
Leo had an epiphany of sorts in 1950 when he saw the movie Jim Thorpe, AllAmerican. This film led Leo to an addiction to sports of all kinds. Leo got tagged
with the nickname The Grip Kid because his grip (that is San Francisco-ese for a
two handled bag kids used to carry their stuff) contained an array of sporting goods
that would have made Hirsch & Price proud! His grip was always with him, leaving
him ready for any sports opportunity that might pop up. (Leo really loved swimming
but could not figure out how to get a pool into his grip.)
After Lowell, Leo worked in a series of industries, all the while playing in local
softball and semi-pro baseball leagues. Leo also umpired for several years, all the way
up to the collegiate level. And somehow, Leo also found the time to ask for the hand
in marriage of the beautiful girl next door, Mary Robles, and she accepted. Mary and
Leo were married in 1961.
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Leo then embarked on a 30-year career in the San Francisco Fire Department, and
served the City and County of San Francisco with distinction and dedication in a
number of assignments. As is the case with every public safety member, Leo saw
first-hand the effects of poverty on people of the community, especially the kids, and
Leo and many other SFFD members started the outstanding Fire Department Toy
Program which has given countless kids gifts at Christmas time, presents that these
children would never have gotten. Leo has continued in this noble program long after
his retirement.
Leo joined the SFBOTA in 1974, and has held just about every position within the
Association, from President to Board of Directors member, to committee participant.
He is an Ultimate Old Timer and a true goodwill ambassador for the SFBOTA. At
every step of his life, Leo Martinez has truly made a difference. Leo gives way more
than he gets. No job is too big or too small for Leo. If he hasnt already volunteered
for a job, he graciously accepts an assignment. Thank you, Leo, for all you have done
and for all that you will continue to do to make the world a better place.
A Serious Moment
In last months edition, we mentioned the idea of becoming Old Timers vs.
Alzheimers and doing what we can to help in the battle against this cruel and
merciless disease. The SFBOTA Officers and Board of Directors are working on a plan
and will unveil it very soon.
Help SFBOTA Save Money!!
In recent editions we have asked for as many members as possible to sign up to
receive this bulletin each month by e-mail rather than by conventional mail. In
analyzing the cost of photocopying, envelopes and postage, we are estimating that
each mailed edition is costing SFBOTA about $1.40 per copy to mail out. For the
June edition, we mailed out 285 copies, which comes out to almost $400. For the
year, that works out to close to $5000. Can we totally wipe out that cost? No,
because a whole bunch of our members do not have e-mail and never will. Thats very
understandable. But a large number of members do have e-mail and are choosing not
to participate in the e-mail program. Its your Association, your dues money and
your call.
Important Dates Department:
July 12, 2016---This will be the Monthly LUNCH. Thats right, its a lunch, and kids
are welcome as guests. The doors to the Irish Cultural Center will open at 11:30 AM
and lunch will began around Noon. That days menu will be Hot Dogs (also known as
Tube Steak), Beans (Uh Oh!), and Corn on the Cob.
July 20, 2016---Marino Pieretti Group Luncheon, which will take place at Nicks
Restaurant on Rockaway Avenue in Pacifica. Cocktails at 11:30 and lunch is at Noon.
August 9, 2016---The monthly Dinner will be at the usual spot, the Irish Cultural
Center, with cocktails beginning at 6:00 PM, and dinner will be served at 7:00 PM.
On the menu will be a chicken entre.
August 17, 2016---The monthly gathering of the Marino Pieretti Group will take place
at The Basque Cultural Center in SSF. Cocktails at 11:30 and lunch is at Noon.
Golf News---Upcoming Events
July 15, 2016, starting at 10:00 AM---Bennett Valley Golf Course in Santa Rosa. This
event is always heavily attended because BVGC is a great and fair course to play, and
it doesnt get much more scenic than the surrounding foothills. This also is a
Scramble Format.
August 15, 2016, starting at 9:00 AM---Metropolitan Golf Links in Oakland. This is
the re-modeled and highly acclaimed version of the former Lew Galbreath Golf
Course. Good golf course, great group of guys playing. Be there!
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Here are the closest-to-the-hole results from the Oakmont outing on 6/3/16, as
reported by the rather saintly Rich Ford, Commissioner of the R&A (Rotten and
Awful) Golf Society of the SFBOTA:
5th Hole: Forward Tees ---Nobody--Back Tees
8th
(2) ---Nobody---
---Nobody---
Next, here are the results of the Monarch Bay 4-man Scramble on 06/27/16.
1st place with a score of 66 ended up in a tie between the team of Leo Martinez, Nick
Poppin, Paul Giambra and Nick Cannuli, and the group of Rick Baptista, Dan Merolla,
Tom OMalley and Paul OMalley.
3rd place with a score of 67 went to the motley crew of Ken Mooney, Roger Strack,
Steve Kavanaugh and Mike Bagdon.
Closest-to-the-hole--4th Hole: Forward Tees
Back Tees
Back Tees
---Nobody---
Bob Martinez, Rich Blackburn, Bill Kennaugh, Don Benedetti and Hal Fox---All these
great guys are on the DL for now, and the Old Timers wish each and every one of
these honorable Members a speedy and complete recovery.
SFBOTAs Website
Just a reminder, courtesy of Fellow Old Timer and sponsor Kris Kimball, SFBOTA has
a website which is at www.sfbot.net Take a look! Its great!! Thank you, Kris.
Rogues Gallery
lucetis.com