THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 22, 2020 Page 9 “Malden: Today, Tomorrow and Yesterday”... Edgeworth On My Mind By Peter F. Levine R obert DiGiovanni grew up on the streets of Edgeworth long before I did, walking in the exact same footsteps a decade or so earlier. I had no idea who came before me. It was just “our” time. Robert has been kind enough to remind me that, no Peter, there were many before you. Here he is talking about the bandstand that once stood in the middle of Devir Park, a place where we spent many nights during an (at times) misspent youth. Robert speaks: “I remember the men’s toilet which was on the left side of the building if you were standing in front, and if I’m not mistaken, had a flat roof in the 1950s to around 1960s and had a short iron railing around the square top that it formed. I never remember a slanted roof on that part of the bandstand. I assume they added it, maybe because balls, especially softball, could land up there, and kids or people would climb up to get them, so maybe why they put the slanted roof on it? The photo I recently saw on FaceThis is Devir Park circa late 1940s/early 1950s in a picture taken from the back of the bandstand. In the background are Craddock Park (Bruce Field) and veterans housing – now home to the Irish American Club. (Photo Courtesy of Beth Sampson) book was maybe photo taken after 1960 [the picture was indeed taken in 1977]. If that is a fence around the Little League park, upper-left-hand corner of photo, then it was after 1960, when they renamed it ‘Bruce Field.’” Thanks for the memories, Robert. Robert DiGiovanni is a stonecold Edgeworth guy. Though we have never met, and he is a few years older, I have felt I’ve known him my whole life. I’ve sat and listened in the past as Dom Fermano spoke about Johnny Manzi. Heck of a guy so the story goes! Take it away, Robert: “Who remembers ‘Johnnie’ Manzi? John ‘Johnnie’ Manzi, one of Edgeworth’s greatest athletes, a few years older than myself. I was lucky the older boys like ‘Johnnie’ would let me play in their pickup baseball games at Devir Park. I learned to love the game. At first just trying to get ‘Johnnie’ out just once was a victory for us kids. His blazing speed was something to behold. You would throw the ball to first base and we would already be rounding second base. You would toss the ball to third base, and before it got there, he was already at home plate. I learned to love the game playing those pickup games with Johnnie. He was one of the fastest runners I had ever played with. Johnnie was a phenomenal football player also for Malden High and an incredibly talented baseball player. In his last year playing for the ‘ole’ Blue and Gold Football team and heading for a record touchdown season, when after scoring one, with a number of games still to be played, he accidentally ran through the 2X4 fence that sectioned off the red zone area from the huge gas tanks right behind the end zone and was seriously hurt! His season, unfortunately, was prematurely over, and his chances for a record touchdown season came to an end, He was a wonderful guy, and I was shocked years ago when I heard he died sadly rather young! But I never could forget his extraordinary athletic talents. He was one of my favorite heroes as a youngster, when I took notice that he had hit over 23 home runs in the Malden National Little League for the Dodgers, the first Little League in Malden. Not too many kids that were not the size of adults ever hit that many, and although Johnnie was well built, he was not oversized... as some Little League players were that hit that many home runs! He was just spectacular! Long live the memory of John Manzi – a great kid, athlete, and an exceedingly kind man, who helped many others in his life, I’ve learned, as the years went by! RIP John Johnnie Manzi, I will never forget your talent and all the ways you taught me, by your own spectacular athletic talents. I hope others who read this will remember this Edgeworth born man and athletic star of the 1950s!” Old friend David Stone checked in with Malden Musings recently: “How are you my friend in these crazy days. I just EDGEWORTH | SEE PAGE 13 WE WORK FOR YOU! * Have your car repaired by Real Manufacturer Certiified Technicians * An I-CAR GOLD CLASS SHOP Highest Certificate in the Repair Industry * Premier Insurance Co. Collision Repair Shop for Geico, Liberty Mutual, Metlife, Progressive and more! * Over 30 Years of putting families back on the Road Safe & Fast! * ATLAS Stands Behind All Repairs with a Limited Lifetime Warranty 1605 North Shore Road, Revere * 781-284-1200 Visit us at: www.AtlasAutobody.com or call (781) 284-1200 to schedule your appointment today!
10 Publizr Home