Lajoie-Start Chapter meeting draws 38
The weather was great and the program was sparkling for the 38 members and friends who attended the Lajoie-Start Chapter (Southern New England) meeting on June 18 under a picnic tent at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
Speakers from the Pawtucket Red Sox were the team’s president, Mike Tamburro; the manager, Arnie Beyeler; and the team’s hitting coach, Chili Davis, who impressed all with his depth of knowledge and the ease with which he was able to articulate it.
Also on the speaking agenda was Brian Rose, a former pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, Colorado Rockies, New York Mets and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Like several former players who have addressed the chapter in recent meetings, Brian was frank about his lack of great success in the major leagues.
There were four research presentations: Steve Adamson on Charles Comiskey the player; Mark Kanter on games not played for reasons other than weather; Don Skuce on the Boston Red Sox’s five-game sweep of the Yankees in 1959; and Mickey Tangel on Lipman Pike, the first Jewish professional baseball player.
Bob Mazur won the trivia contest; the theme was “baseball firsts and lasts.”
Thanks to Herb Zakrison for providing the portable sound system.
The next chapter meeting will be held on Saturday, November 26, at St. Philip’s Parish Center in Greenville, Rhode Island. The guest speaker will be Ted Lepcio, former Red Sox, Tigers, Phillies, White Sox and Twins infielder. Hope to see you there.
— Len Levin