18th annual Pacific Coast League reunion recap – 8/25/2012

The 18th Annual Dick Dobbins Pacific Coast League Player Reunion is now history. Seventeen former players showed up on August 25, 2012, along with family members of several PCL alumni. The player roster included Rugger Ardizoia, Ernie Broglio, Ernie Fazio, Joe Kirrene, Don Kornahrens, Ed Mayer, Pete Mesa, Jim Moran, Tom Munoz, Mel Nunes, Lyle Palmer, Paul Pettit, Lou Profumo, Tony Rivas, Neill Sheridan, Ron Theobald, and Dave Turnbull —  representing 69 seasons of experience in the PCL.

The morning socializing time featured a nice warm buzz in the room, with several clusters of players and fans engaged in conversation. After a nice lunch (thanks to Kelly Murphy and crew), the three cakes featuring the Oakland Oaks, San Francisco Missions and San Francisco Seals were photographed, cut, served and enjoyed.

Mark Macrae welcomed everyone and the player introduction followed, despite the fact that a few players had already left. A player panel — featuring Mel Nunes, Joe Kirrene, Ernie Broglio, Ed Mayer and Dave Turnbull — shared some of their experiences in the PCL. Questions were also taken from the audience.

Following the player panel, author Dennis Snelling talked about his recent book and focused on the 1912 PCL season with the batting champ, Heinie Heitmuller being the only player in baseball history to win the batting title posthumously. The Oakland club won their first PCL pennant that year. Dennis has spent an incredible amount of time researching the early days of the PCL.

The Golden Game, a Sacramento-based PBS special, was shown to the audience. The half-hour show covered a century and a half of Sacramento baseball history and featured interviews with Frances Pendleton, Alan O’Connor and Bill Shubb, among others.

Following The Golden Game, the official program ended, although several individuals stayed around for about an hour longer engaged in conversation. Dates for the 2013 event should be secured in the next thirty days.

Hope you can join us next year for this wonderful day of baseball history and memories!

— Marlene Vogelsang