Roush-Lopez Tampa Bay Chapter meeting recap – 8/9/2025
The Roush-Lopez Tampa Bay Chapter met via Zoom on August 9, 2025.
Attendees were: Mark Drucker (Chair), Ken Clawson (Secretary), Steve Nadel, Barry Halpern, Sam Zygner, Rocky Roodhouse, Michelle Taylor, Dr. Susan Dellinger, Rich Klein, David Krell, Louis Schiff, Robin Fuson, Dan Hirshberg, Bishop Ley, Bob Thaler, Michael Frank.
Mark Drucker opened the meeting promptly at 3:00 PM. He thanked all those attending. Mark introduced the three topics to be discussed and the presenters.
Hon. Louis Schiff presented his recently completed book, Attorneys in the Baseball Hall of Fame. He began with the breakdown of the eleven and their most well known positions in the baseball realm although the book focuses on their stories as attorneys more so than baseball people. He mentioned the text that he wrote that is still used in law schools, Baseball and the Law, and mentioned that it contains a collection of case studies related to baseball.
He presented a slideshow on Tampa native Tony La Russa. He highlighted La Russa’s journey from baseball to finish law school, passing the bar exam and through interviews how La Russa integrated the study of law into managing.
He presented the Hon. Judge Robin Fuson, Hillsborough County Circuit Court Judge and a friend of La Russa’s. Fuson was a former minor league player who attended a couple of spring trainings and related how La Russa advised and encouraged him to pursue law school. A Q&A for both gentlemen followed.
Schiff’s book is 20% off for SABR members and their friends through August 15 at McFarlandBooks.com. Use the promo code “TONY20”.
Stave Nadel followed with a quiz show type presentation and discussion on the MLB pitchers who amassed both 300+ wins and 3,000+ strikeouts. There are 10 (and perhaps it’s the final number.) He presented them chronologically from the year they retired. Hint: Not all are in the Hall of Fame.
Dan Hirshberg came on to introduce his new book release: Baseball in Pinellas County. Dan first introduced his writing background. He stated that he prefers to write the stories of the people versus doing game stories (reports). He related what he found most interesting about some of those stories. Q&A followed.
He also informed us of a book signing event at Tombolo Books on September 30 where noted author Peter Golenbock will interview him. He gets a kick out of that because he once interviewed Peter for a piece about the author. He also mentioned a podcast he just completed the first episode for. It is called Playball with Dan Hirshberg and can be found on stpeteradio.com.
Mark adjourned the meeting at 4:47 PM.
On July 28, 2025, Mark Drucker, Sam Dolson, Ken Clawson and Josh Weaver were in attendance at the Tampa Baseball Museum for the unveiling of a brick the chapter purchased to support the museum. Former MLB player and Tampa resident, Orestes Destrade was on hand to speak.
