THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, February 20, 2026 Page 7 going out to one of Edgeworth’s best and brightest, Johnny “Tags” Taglieri. When the Mount Rushmore of Malden goalies is finally erected somewhere in Malden, Tags along with Kevin Morrison and Dave Norton will be the first three prominently displayed. • In the “they don’t fill rosters like this any longer” department I bring to you the Malden Post 69 American Legion Baseball team straight outta 1972. The Legion played all home games at Devir Park in the shadow of the Bandstand, were coached by Tom Coleman, Chet Castinetti and Henry Crocker and were partially sponsored by Anthony’s of Malden (“formerly Gennetti’s) on Canal Street. A virtual who’s who of baseball studs who all had stellar careers in Malden (except maybe for Mark Cannon, who was a Meffa guy) from Little League through Babe Ruth through Legion ball, with some even making the big show like Dave Cai. Feast your eyes on these hardball heroes of yesteryear: the late great Billy “The Pride of Presley Street” Murphy, Matt “Anthony’s Older Brother” Chiccuarelli, Jackie Walsh, (my teammate on the Stars) Billy Doyle, future Malden Recreation Director Joe Levine, future 621 Tavern & Grill restaurateur Paul “Paul D” De Vincentis, Joe “The Pride of Beebe” Pugliese, Pete Connolly, Carl Byron at backstop, Russ “Handsome Russ” Hall, (another teammate of mine on the Stars from the famous Peavy family) Danny Peavey, Buddy “The Hardest Thrower in Show Biz” DeMontier, John “CJ” Lopresti, Richie “Hard Rock” Hannon, the ace of the team Dave “Davey Cai from Malden High” Caiazzo, Malden Catholic All-American running back Mark Cannon, Ronny Frauton and Sandro Campea. Conspicuously missing from the team was arguably the best 17-year-old ball player in the city, Dennis Damiano — a five-tool kid who shared BRL MVP honors as a 15-year-old in 1970 with Dave Cai (he had over 50 hits as a 15-year-old!). Dennis was in the service at the time serving overseas. • The Bandstand at Devir Park in 1972 was the place to be in Malden. All the cool kids hung there, short hairs as well as long hairs. Rock bands replaced the Roma Band under that tiring old roof. John Monte from the DPW cared lovingly for the park all by himself. Schlitz in the can was the drink of choice, and the Italian with everything on it, including hots, at the Big A was the sub most often consumed by Bandstand denizens. Many “illegal smiles” were acquired on those steps 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Or so I am told. Insert blazed smiley face. • Speaking of legendary Malden goalies... Kevin Morrison was a 1967 MHS graduate who went on to play for NSCC, where he was named MVP for two straight years before becoming assistant coach the following two years. After college he played a couple of years semi-pro with the Lynn Blades, but American players like K Mo and Mikey Powers were sent to the back of line in those days. After his playing days, he spent the next 50 years coaching goalies from NHL types to mighty mites and loving every minute of it! But Mo went on to fame (if not fortune) as one of the very best softball umpires in the region with a flair for the dramatic that brought him a legion of fans and admirers. It also earned him a spot in the USA Softball of Massachusetts Hall of Fame! Not bad for an Amerige Park guy! The retired Malden Retirement Director is now a man of leisure who can be caught from time to time regaling his many friends with tales tall and otherwise at a local Citizen’s Club near you. His recent appearance on WCVB’s Chronicle “Hockey dad credits ‘end-of-life care’ with saving his life” was downright inspirational. I’ll bring that to MM at another time. • My deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the Rogers family on the passing of the forever-beautiful Barbara. Though I did not have the privilege of knowing Barbara well, I have long known the Rogers family as one of Malden’s most respected, cherished and genuinely good Malden families. May the love and admiration so many hold for your family bring you comfort during this difficult time and MUSINGS| SEE PAGE 9 Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lien * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net SABATINO/MASTROCOLA INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM
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