Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, December 30, 2022 ~ Malden Musings ~ Bob Rotondi Speaks by Peter F. Levine W hen you write about Malden baseball, you better have a least a little knowledge of the local hardball landscape. Or else. I heard from on high shortly after I gave up my all-time Malden baseball team from the 1960s into the 1980s (thereabouts). He didn’t appear to me supernaturally but through the USPS in the form of a handwritten letter. It was from local baseball deity, “Knight for Life” Bob Rotondi. Bob was amused by my recent baseball column and being the kindhearted gentleman that he is, had mercy on me. He noted that my team was good but the team he presents will match mine, one through nine. He wasn’t kidding. The “Boys of Summer” that Bob put together are a powerful group of athletes Need a hall for your special event? The Schiavo Club, located at 71 Tileston Street, Everett is available for your Birthdays, Anniversaries, Sweet 16 parties and more? Call Dennis at (857) 249-7882 for details. Law Offices of Terrence W. Kennedy 512 Broadway, Everett • Criminal Defense • Personal Injury • Medical Malpractice Tel: (617) 387-9809 Cell: (617) 308-8178 twkennedylaw@gmail.com (and great bunch of guys) that, I am ashamed to admit, fl ew under my radar. Bob is a local treasure. In that massive brain of his are 60 plus years’ worth of Malden history. I ain’t just talking sports. I am talking about his Malden bonafi des and his connection to this community where he has been a BMOC for as long as I have lived – a local treasure. Thank you so much, my friend, you’ll never know how much I appreciate your friendship. I’ll let Bob take it from here: “In a recent article - you wrote about your baseball team from the ’60’s through the ’80’s. Your ‘complete baseball operation.’ ‘Feel free to disagree,’ was your final statement. Well, I’ll not disagree with your list, eight of whom I had the privilege to coach; but here is another team, to go head-to-head with your club. It takes a large staff to manage a baseball operation. My organization has a lot of familiar names with a great deal of experience. Please note I did not take anyone from your organization. Your club is powerful. I am honored to be named manager. I hope I have met your challenge. Again, you wrote that the club was from the ’60’s through the ’80’s yet your closer was really a ’90’s guy (or better). But that’s okay because my closer will be his father. What fun! Without further ado.....” Pitching staff : Dave Marsters, Frankie “Red” Harris, Rich Barker, Steve Caiazzo and Mike Byers. Bullpen: Arthur Eld, Eric Provitola, Joe Flak, Jay Gibbons, Peter Plachowicz. Closer: Freddy (father of Kevin) McGlinchy. Catcher: Ralphie Kelly, Tommy Lubin, Donnie Roach. From all of us at Carpenito Real Estate... The 1972 Malden High School baseball team is pictured with Devir Park Bandstand in the background. Infi elders: Neil Hurley, Johnny Furlong, Steve Wishoski, Mike Turilli, Dennis Gallagher, Johnny “D” DeBenedictis, Jimmy Tuxbury and Johnny Stanasek. Outfielders: Jay Symonds, Eddie Fitzgerald, John “Doc” Doherty, Steve Powell, Ronnie Nickerson, John Montecalvo, Mike Vona. Designated Hitters: Jackie Burke, Billy Roderick, Paul Zabrick. Bullpen Catcher: Harry Caras and Victor Sousa. September Callups: Greg DeCandia, Paul DeVincentis, Paul Fraser, Kenny Coye, Billy Burke and Richie Tuxbury. Injured Reserve List: Barry Malitsky, Steve Belt, Mike Hyde, Owen “Buddy” Knight and Steve Almeida. Scorekeeper: Perry Verge Sr. and Bob Warner. Bat Boy: T.J. Benner. Manager: Leo Moro. Bench 335 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906 (781) 233-7300 View all our listings at: CarpenitoRealEstate.com Coach: Terry Mathews. First Base: Andy Scarano. Third Base: Frank St. Clair. Bullpen Coach: Charles McCooch. Pitching Coach: Paul Maccioli. Future Coach to Be: Deano Summers. General Manager: Joe Levine. Scouting Bureau Chief: Kenny Magneson. Assistant Chief: Don McKnight. Minor League Director of Operations: Kenny Petraglia. Equipment Manager: Joey Caraco and Dave Allen. Union Rep: Tom Herter, Sr. Groundskeeper Superintendent: Kevin Benner. Post-Game Caterer: Neil Sullivan (Cornucopia Foods on Pleasant St.) Administrative Assistants: Mike Bondamge, Phil Cook, Harvey Nadler, Terlonzo “Beanie” Amos, Wayne Martineau and Mik Pascinto. Road Trip Manager: Steve Wright. Assistant Road Trip Manager: Jim Chiavelli. Publicity Director: Peter Levine. Offi ce Staff : Laura Perry, Diane Rotondi, Rose Senatore, Caren Sarno, Jean (Grasso) Maquardo and Steve Zolondick. So, speaking of my baseball column, here are three quick asides that did not make the 1,500 words that week: • Throwing out the fi rst pitch will be Bobby (McVicar’s) fatherin-law, the legendary MHS Hall of Famer Ernie LeBlanc, and Malden High School Hall of Fame member Helen Nordquist from the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. • And yes, I know McGlinchy was 12 in 1989 (as Bob pointed out above), but he was hitting and pitching like he was in his twenties back in his Little League days at Bruce Field. • And yes, I know Helen and Ernie didn’t actually play during that time frame, but I just had to get them in the mix, somewhere! • Beyond proud to have made Bob’s list! It is said in Malden Musings... Nobody has better retro Malden stories than retired Malden Police Offi cer Mike Hardiman. Mike has been kind enough to share some of his tales of Malden yesteryear to his Facebook page. Shamelessly, I am sharing them in my column. Take it away, Mike: “A couple of friends of mine from the way back when crowd, Sal Morando and Ronnie Spaulding, went on more than a few adventures together over the years. One of their claims to fame is they were on the 1964 undefeated Lincoln Junior High football team. I was a Beebe Junior High student at the time. Both Sal and Ronnie, by the way, were pretty good when it came to getting into fi stfi ghts in junior high (and high school). I was the peacemaker, the one that broke up the fi ghts. When we hung around the Granada Lanes, another member of the group Arthur Demase, who is good friends with Ronnie - they used to battle it out between each other, behind the First Baptist Church. Mostly on Saturday nights. That’s where all the boxing matches were held - behind the church in Malden
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