THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, February 21, 2020 Page 7 “Malden: Today, Tomorrow and Yesterday” ... James Damiano, 1957-2020 We Now Offer For Your Eating Pleasure “UBER EATS” Convenient Delivery Service Bianchi’s Pizza and Renzo’s Full Menu To Go James Damiano and “Malden: Today, Tomorrow and Yesterday” author Peter Levine at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., in 1981. (Photo Courtesy of Mike Scibelli) By Peter F. Levine C hildhood friend Jimmy Damiano passed away on Jan. 15, leaving friends and family members, to put it mildly, in (expletive deleted) shock. On a recent cold February evening, as the night worked its way towards dawn, I rummaged through the cobwebs of my mind looking for Jimmy D tales to tell – short stories that were suitable for a family newspaper, that is. Jimmy was, to put it gently, a “mischievous” one as a wee lad. His reputation tagging along through high school – and beyond. It was the summer of ’69 – we’re 11 years old trying out for Little League at Devir Park on Bruce Field – Jimmy, myself, I remember Jeff Reynolds, Paul Kingsbury, John Vitale, Boog Powers also. Johnny & Jeff went to Mr. Pitts and the Dodgers. Booger and I went to the Twins. Not sure who Paul played for. All of us made the majors. Jimmy went to the Saxons in the minors. Seems he was being blackballed by the majors as possibly being a “disruptive” element. Which was nonsense of course. Jimmy was simply “misunderstood” (insert smiley face). Jimmy wanted revenge for this slight and had the last laugh on Coaches Grimes, Patrie, Marr and Cutbert. The “Malden Street Mauler” led the Saxons to the City Series that year, hitting a league high 18 dingers in the process. Nobody came close to his home run totals. At various points in the season (much like what happened to his brother Dennis when Dennis was terrorizing the Babe Ruth League for the Barons), they stopped pitching to him. Started pitching around him. No problem. Jimmy became the best bad ball hitter in the league (like Dennis). Jimmy stopped playing organized baseball that year, but football and the Beebe Bulldogs were on the horizon. Tune in next week for another exciting episode of “Malden: Today, Tomorrow and Yesterday” and the further adventures of Jimmy Damiano – “Malden Street Brawler.” In my eyes the late great Bill Mini will always be the foremost authority, historically and contemporarily speaking, on the city of Malden. In my lifetime there have been very few who have so lovingly documented the many diverse neighborhoods, the many historic events and the many colorful characters that the city has produced. He may not have gotten all the facts just right, but I give him an ‘A’ for eff ort! When Bill was alive, I would sit at Schopell’s (Converse Restaurant, now India Bazaar) in the Square on Saturday mornings and listen to him and his crew “discuss” the past in vivid detail, talking to each other, at each other and over each other as only old friends can. William Joseph Mini passed away on September 11, 2009, at 86. His obituary made mention of graduating MHS in 1940, being a World War II veteran and attending Fitchburg State, where he received his teaching degree. It also told of his love of photography and his joy of painting (a Bill Mini original hangs proudly on my living room wall). But in my opinion, his obit could have gone on for 25 pages and not tell the complete story of this extraordinary man’s life. Bill is still alive for many of us who knew him in Malden, not only in spirit, but in the written word. God bless his pea picking heart, Bill left a paper trail a mile long for those of us who like to take a stroll back in Malden history from time to time. My Bill Mini paper trail is extensive. I clipped and saved most of his writings, feeling that one day a new generation of Maldonians might enMALDEN: TODAY | SEE PAGE 18 joy this trip down memory lane also. Thank you, Bill Mini! Malden is a lot less rich without you. In honor of Bill I have gone back to his writings for this article: You’re a (REAL) old-timer from Edgeworth/Malden if you remember…. • The Converse Rubber Company was founded by Marcus M. Converse (a New Hampshire native) in 1909 NOT to be confused with the Boston Rubber Compa~ Renzo’s Entertainment Schedule ~ Wednesday: DJ George * Thursday: Smokin Joe * Friday: Smokin Joe Saturday: Joe Canzano * Sunday, 3:30 p.m. : DJ George Entertainment Wed. Thru Sat. 7:30 p.m. 381 Revere Beach Blvd., Revere 781-284-5600 Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma It’s Time To Fall In Love... With a New Car! AUTO LOAN OFFER as low as 2.49% Online: massbaycu.org By phone: (617) 269-2700 In person: at any branch Easy! South Boston – Everett – Quincy – Seaport Federally insured by NCUA EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY APR* QUICK TURNAROUND LEASE BUYOUTS Apply for a pre-approval before you shop and take advantage of the February sales! APPLY: massbaycu.org (617) 269-2700 *APR=Annual Percentage Rate. APR includes a .25% discount for automatic payments or direct deposit. 2.49% APR is for terms up to 48 months. Monthly payment is $21.91 per $1,000.00 borrowed. 2.74% APR without automatic payments or direct deposit. Monthly payment without automatic payments or direct deposit is $22.02 per $1,000.00 borrowed. Other rates and terms are available. Up to 105% financing based on the NADA retail value. Qualification restrictions apply. Rate, term and approval based on credit worthiness. Rates are subject to change without notice. Subject to membership eligibility, see our website for details.
8 Publizr Home