Join SABR on August 9 for Lefty O’Doul Monument Renovation and Celebration Event
JUNE 17, 2025 — Join us this summer for an unforgettable tribute to a San Francisco legend! SABR’s Lefty O’Doul Bay Area Chapter invites all baseball fans to a hometown hero celebration honoring Francis Joseph “Lefty” O’Doul, whose magnificent baseball grave monument has been fully restored at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park in Colma, California.
- When: Saturday, August 9, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.
- Where: Cypress Lawn Memorial Park, 1370 El Camino Real, Colma, CA 94014
- Cost: Free and open to the public
Click here to watch a promo video, produced by filmmaker and SABR member Jon Leonoudakis.
The Lefty O’Doul celebration will begin with the dramatic unveiling of Lefty’s newly restored monument — an impressive 6-foot, 5-inch tall tribute that truly captures the essence of this baseball icon. Marvel at the monument’s stunning features:
- An eloquent epitaph honoring his legacy
- A full-sized marble bat, carved to perfection
- His remarkable career statistics etched in stone
- His legendary .349 lifetime batting average displayed on a marble baseball
Come dressed in your San Francisco Giants or SF Seals gear, and bring any O’Doul memorabilia to share the spirit of this beloved figure. We invite you to share cherished stories, heartfelt thoughts, or fond memories of Lefty or his iconic piano bar and restaurant that graced San Francisco from 1958 to 2017.
The Irish American Baseball Society will transport us back in time with traditional Irish melodies accompanied by the stirring sounds of bagpipes. We’ll conclude this musical tribute with an enthusiastic group rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”
Please note: This special event will be filmed for Jon Leonoudakis’s upcoming documentary, “Lefty O’Doul: America’s Forgotten Hero.”
After the graveside ceremony, the festivities move to nearby Molloy’s Tavern (1655 Mission Rd., South San Francisco), where we’ll raise a glass to celebrate Lefty’s 128th birthday surrounded by fellowship, good cheer, and our shared passion for baseball—America’s beloved national pastime.
The renovation was possible thanks to funding from the SABR Local Grants Program and the San Francisco Giants. We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to Cypress Lawn Memorial Park and their Heritage Foundation, Molloy’s Tavern, and American Monumental Company for their invaluable support.
For questions or additional information, please reach out to Jon Leonoudakis or Marlene Vogelsang.
Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to honor a true San Francisco baseball legend and connect with fellow fans who share your love of the game’s rich history.
Originally published: June 17, 2025. Last Updated: June 17, 2025.