THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, June 23, 2023 Page 3 ~ Malden Musings ~ “Malden’s Best According to Mr. Baseball” By Peter Levine H ere is something Bob Rotondi and I have been kicking around for a short period of time: the top fi ve hitters (note to Jason Munroe – we’re talking baseball players, not gangsters) to come out of Malden in the last 75 years. We are just talking hitters and in no particular order. We (or I should say, Bob) came up with Malden Police Officer Michael Langston, the late great Highland Cafe bartender Pete Trabucco, Michael Jordan’s teammate in the White Sox organization Carmine Cappuccio, Dave Caiazzo’s mentor Steve Ring, and possibly the best of them all, Johnny Salmon. This was a tough call all around, Bob mused, so many “batsmen’ came to mind. I threw out the name of Edgeworth’s Dennis Damiano from the 1970 City Champ Barons in the Babe Ruth League. Bob agreed he was a vicious hitter for his time in the BRL but if he didn’t go into the service (Navy), he may have been the best of them all (my opinion). Bob mentioned Edgeworth’s Rob Santo, who did time in the Orioles system, Steve Durant and Billy Croken, who excelled in the Red Sox organization. Mr. Baseball suggested maybe we could put an asterisk after his name, but (former Bruins great) Andy Brickley could flat out hit and played in Malden until he turned 13 when the family moved to Melrose. Andy did return a few years later to play in the inter-city league. His older brothers John and George could really “rake,” too. Bob suggested that maybe my readers might enjoy coming up with their own lists. It could make for some interesting debates, as well as some much-needed laughs. Loyal readers, let me know at the email address below (please stop laughing at my AOL account) whom you would like to recognize as the best batsmen from the past 75 years. Thanks for taking the time to reach out to me, Bob. Readers, have at it. I know I am a little late with this remembrance but circumstances beyond my control prevented me from posting it sooner. This time of year, I dutifully take a moment and remember two Malden boys (and boys they were) who were tragically killed one early summer day 52 years ago. Most remember the night as if it were yesterday. Me included. Malden Street’s Al Owens ANGELO’S A FULL SERVICE 1978-2023 Celebrating 45 Years in Business! s! Regular Unleaded $3.359 MidUnleaded $3.739 Super $3.989 Diesel Fuel $3.739 Heating Oil at the Pump $4.759 $2.99 9 DEF HEATING OI 24-Hour Burner Service Call for Current Price! (125—gallon minimum) DEF Available by Pump! Open an account and order online at: www.angelosoil.com (781) 231-3500 (781) 231-3003 367 LINCOLN AVE • SAUGUS Hours. Mon.-Wed. 6AM - 6PM / Thurs. & Fri. 6AM - 7PM / Sat. 7AM / Sun. 9AM-5PM State Rep. (and part-time football referee) Steve Ultrino with legendary Malden “hitter” Johnny Salmon and Beltran Street’s John Surette were in the ninth grade at Beebe at the time when they were hit by a train on the (pre-MBTA) tracks behind Tricca’s Restaurant (Pearl and Adams) – killed instantly. Beebe Jr. High mourned. We never stopped mourning. Here’s to you, Al and John – always in our thoughts. • Diane Wishoski remembers sitting in a large circle in the park on the Malden Street side when she heard the news. • Billy Settemio refl ects, “Living up against the train tracks we had an abundance of caution. We played on those sandy banks, but that day was horrifi cally sad. All of us kids were exposed to tragedy and sadness the day we lost those boys from the neighborhood. God rest their souls.” • Steve Silva: “I was only 11 but it is burned in all of our collecMUSINGS| SEE PAGE 18 www.eight10barandgrille.com OPEN DAILY FOR DINNER AT 4 PM. CATCH THE CELTICS, BRUINS & NCAA SPORTS ON OUR 6 LARGE SCREEN TV'S! om WE'RE OPEN! 8 Norwood Street, Everett (617) 387-9810 Prices subject to change DIESEL TRUCK STOP FLEET
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