Brookline Little League Association

The old Brookline Journal Baseball Logo

1973 - The Year in Review

Final Season Standings

Little League

 

Senior League

American Legion

16

7

 

Stebbrook Healthland

14

8

Tony's Barber Shop

15

8

 

Denmark's Cafe

12

9

Quaill's Cleaners

11

9

 

American Legion

10

9

Brookline Pharmacy

9

11

 

Brookline Lions

11

11

St. Marks

7

13

 

DeBor Funeral Home

10

10

B.Y.M.C.

6

14

 

J.J. McGaffin

5

15


Second Half Standings

Little League

 

Senior League

American Legion

7

3

 

Stebbrook Healthland

7

3

Brookline Pharmacy

6

4

 

Denmark's Cafe

7

3

Quaill's Cleaners

6

4

 

American Legion

6

4

Tony's Barber Shop

6

4

 

DeBor Funeral Home

6

4

St. Marks

4

6

 

Brookline Lions

4

6

B.Y.M.C.

1

9

 

J.J. McGaffin

0

10


First Half Standings

Little League

 

Senior League

Tony's Barber Shop

7

3

 

Brookline Lions

7

3

American Legion

7

3

 

Denmark's Cafe

5

5

B.Y.M.C.

5

5

 

J.J. McGaffin

5

5

Quaill's Cleaners

5

5

 

Stebbrook Healthland

4

5

Brookline Pharmacy

3

7

 

American Legion

4

5

St. Marks

3

7

 

DeBor Funeral Home

4

6


* Playoff Summary *

Click here for Brookline Journal playoff coverage.

Little League

1st Half Playoff - Tony's Barber Shop beat Legion in one game playoff.

Championship - Legion beat Tony's Barber Shop in three game series, 2-0.

Senior League

2nd Half Playoff - Healthland beat Denmark's in one game playoff.

Championship - Healthland beat Brookline Lions in three game series, 2-0.

Individual Leaders

Little League Home Runs

 

Senior League Home Runs

Eddie Beveridge, BP
Andy Panucci, Quaills
Jeff Norris, Tonys
Jimmy DelGreco, Legion
Danny Gallagher, BYMC
Tommy Sanders, Quaills
Bruce Buskirk, Tonys
Roger Malone, St. Mark
Bobby Beveridge, BYMC
Mark Bonner, St. Mark
Bobby Grochalski, BYMC
Billy Gumina, BYMC
Ray Benvenuti, Legion
Mark LaMonde, Legion
Johnny Lee, Legion
Brian Phillips, Quaills
Mark Sciulli, Legion
Ricky Schumacher, Quaills
Jackie Walters, St. Mark

10
10
8
6
4
4
4
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

 

Jim Miserendino, Denmarks
Bobby Dimitroff, Lions
Ron Miller, Legion
Danny Kadar, Healthland
Greg Phillips, Healthland
Jerry Cicchitto, Lions
Ray Homer, Lions
Randy Camarco, McGaffin
Mark Wenger, DeBor
Jim Wheeler, Denmarks
Brian Albert, DeBor
Rick Atkinson, Healthland
Vince Ciaramella, Lions
Joe Lang, McGaffin
Bobby McNeill, Healthland
Jim Benson, DeBor
Jeff Buskirk, Denmarks
Doug Duritza, DeBor
John Swiatek, DeBor
Chuck Bradburn, Denmarks
Jim Corbin, Legion
Bobby Johnson, Legion
Vince Panucci, Denmarks
Mark Schumacher, McGaffin
Bobby Anderson, Healthland
Louie Benvenuti, Healthland
Rege Carver, Healthland
John Ducouer, Denmarks
Bill Fagan, Denmarks
Ron Fogel, McGaffin
Paul Malloy, Legion
Rick O'Patchen, Healthland
Paul Peters, McGaffin
John Kunz, DeBor
Tim Schumacher, Legion

10
9
9
8
8
7
7
6
6
6
5
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1


Little League Pitching
(3 decisions)

 

Senior League Pitching
(3 decisions)

Johnny Lee, Legion
Johnny O'Toole, Tonys
Andy Panucci, Quaills
Jeff Norris, Tonys
Ray Benvenuti, Legion
Eddie Beveridge, BP
Jimmy DelGreco, Legion
Mark Bonner, St. Mark
Bruce Buskirk, Tonys
Andy Clark, St. Mark
Clint Burton, BYMC
Johnny Miller, BP
Tommy Sanders, Quaills
Vince Gianella, St. Mark
Joey Fundo, BYMC
Danny Gallagher, BYMC
Roger Malone, St. Mark
Danny McCarthy, BP

9-2
8-3
8-3
5-2
3-1
6-4
4-4
3-3
2-2
2-2
4-7
3-5
2-5
1-2
1-3
1-3
1-5
0-3

 

Mark Wenger, DeBor
Drew Ondik, Healthland
Ron Miller, Legion
Jeff Buskirk, Denmarks
Ray Homer, Lions
Jerry Cicchitto, Lions
Rege Carver, Healthland
Tim Schumacher, Legion
Jim Miserendino, Denmarks
Louie Benvenuti, Healthland
Rick Atkinson, Healthland
Joe Lang, McGaffin
Jim Wheeler, Denmarks
Tom Stabryla, DeBor
Randy Camarco, McGaffin
Bobby Johnson, Legion
Bobby Dimitroff, Lions
Danny Mezyk, McGaffin
John Swiatek, DeBor

8-0
4-0
8-2
3-1
3-1
6-3
2-1
2-1
7-4
5-4
3-3
3-4
2-3
1-2
2-5
1-4
0-4
0-4
0-5

Reprinted from "The Brookline Journal", August 9, 1973.

1973 Playoff Summary

* Senior League *

Stebbrook Healthland, with a new sponsor, manager and coach, toppled the Brookline Lions with a sweep of the scheduled best-of-three championship series. The Lions were the defending champions, winning the Senior pennant in 1971 and 1972.

Surprising development of a pitching staff and bench depth were the key factors as Healthland, off to a slow start in the first half, came on strong to tie Denmarks for the second half title and then bounced the Amazin' Milts, 7-2 in a playoff.

Neither of the Senior championship combatants figured in the pre-season picture, but they consistently battled off the "on-paper" contenders to reach the final series.

The Stebbrook Healthland Vitamin Kids, managed by Danny McGibbeny and coached by Edward "Knobby" Walsh, outslugged the Lions, piloted by George "Bud" Vietmeier and coached by Kurt Vietmeier, in the opener in which nine home runs were hit, 5 by the winners and 4, including 3 by Bobby "Mad Russian" Dimitroff, by the losers.

"If I had to single out one player who gave us the lift it would be Rick Atkinson," SH manager McGibbeny said in appraising the run to the pennant. "I expected Lou Benvenuti and Greg Phillips to have excellent batting and fielding years. And another lift came from Danny Kadar, a 14-year old catcher who had to be the best in the league, with the bat as well as the glove."

"Drew Ondik at second and Rege Carver at third helped glue together a tight infield. Bobby McNeill, our first baseman, also came up with big hits, the long ball when we needed it."

Healthland will lose 5 players from the championship team - Bobby Anderson, who slugged a long home run to clinch the second game; Atkinson, Benvenuti, McNeill and Phillips - but McGibbeny says he will have the nucleus for another spirited contender next year.

"Returning will be Ondik and Carver, along with Kevin "The Penguin" A'Hearn and Timmy Evans, to give us tough pitching. Ondik will be 15 and the other three will be only 14. Also, we may use Kadar as a pitcher when he isn't behind the plate. Johnny "Paesano" Romano will be able to catch."

"And we have Rick O'Patchen, who hit a big three-run homer for us in the first championship game; Danny O'Brien, Pat Ault and one of the most surprising clutch players we drafted this year, Bobby Hurley."

"These are the kids who had the spirit that lifted our five veterans to that extra effort and made the championship possible. Great kids along with my coach, "Knobby" Walsh, made my job a soft touch."

FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - The sluggers had their night and Stebbrook Healthland had just a bit more power in toppling the Lions, 10-6. Greg Phillips smashed two solo homers, Rick Atkinson connected with the sacks empty, Bobby McNeill slammed a two-run job and Rick O'Patchen unloaded with two on for the Vitamin Kids. That overshadowed one of the greatest individual slugging jobs in Senior history as Bobby "Mad Russian" Dimitroff hammered 3 homers and just missed a 4th as the ball hit high on the left-center fence. Ray Homer also homered for the Lions. Phillips and Drew Ondik stroked two hits each for SH. Other big hitters for the winners: Rege Carver, Bobby Anderson and Kevin "The Penguin" A'Hearn, who dumped a bunt safely to start a rally which gave SH a 10-2 lead. Kevin O'Rourke doubled for the Lions. Louie Benvenuti fanned seven and registered his 5th pitching victory. Jerry Cicchitto, who wiffed 12, was the loser.

SECOND CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Rick Atkinson was tough in the clutch as he twirled a 3-hitter and got the winning lift on Bobby Anderson's tremendous two-run homer, which landed in the vicinity of Brookline Boulevard, as Stebbrook Healthland clinched the 1973 Senior pennant with a 6-2 victory. Rich Very, who chucked a 5-hitter, was a hard luck loser. Louie Benvenuti doubled and Drew Ondik reached first base three times, on a single, an error and a walk. The three singles off Atkinson were hit by Mike Naumann, Bobby Dimitroff and Ray Homer.

* Reprinted from The Brookline Journal - August 9, 1973 *

1973 Senior League Champs - Stebbrook Healthland

1973 Healthland Senior League Team

Front Row: Drew Ondik, Danny Kadar, Bobby Hurley, Rick O'Patchen, Timmy Evans, Kevin A'Hearn, Rege Carver, Greg Phillips.
Standing: Manager Danny McGibbeny, John Romano, Louie Benvenuti, Rick Atkinson, Bobby Anderson, Bobby McNeill, Coach Edward "Knobby" Walsh.
Missing: Danny O'Brien and Pat Ault

* Photo reprinted from The Brookline Journal *

* Little League *

It was a long time coming but Manager Ang Masullo's Legion Italian Battalion finally made it to the top of the Brookline Little League

Two years ago the Italian Battalion was equipped with backup lights every time Manager Masullo ordered an attack. Legion finished that 1971 season with a 3-17 record.

In 1972, there was marked improvement as the Italian Battalion quit retreating and started moving forward.

This year it was a struggle, with Tony's Barber Shop applying most of the heat. But in the end the Italian Battalion clipped Tony's to size, sweeping the Barbers in two games of the best-of-three championship series, 16-5 and 8-2.

Asked who provided the spark, Manager Masullo displayed a modest approach, saying merely: "Give the credit to Mr. Lee and Mr. Rossi."

Legion won the second-half pennant, despite a close battle with Brookline Pharmacy, Quaill's Cleaners and Tony's. That trio finished with 6-4 records, a game off Legion's 7-3 pace.

Legion, which avoided the rainmaker in a sodden first half, completed its schedule at 7-3 and sat back to await Tony's, loaded down with three rainouts. Tony's, managed by Pat Fagan and coached by Rich Anderson, won all three and then belted Legion in a playoff for the first half, 9-5.

However, they won that one with Masullo and his long-drink-of-water sidekick, Rossi, relaxing at Virginia Beach.

Bruce Buskirk and Jeff Norris swatted home run bombs to beat Johnny Lee in that playoff.

But Young Master Lee was to have his revenge after his generals returned from their vacation sojourn.

The Italian Battalion poured it on in the first championship game to win going away.

After Buskirk poked another long home run to give Tony's a 1-0 advantage in the second game, Johnny went to work. He swatted two doubles and a single in three trips to drive in three runs and Mark Lamonde, with excellent support from the bleachers, drove in four more on three singles in four trips. Lamonde's dad vocally beamed.

Mark Sciulli, who played brilliantly at shortstop, in the absence of Jungle Jim DelGreco, also rapped a pair of hits.

Meanwhile, Johnny Lee was chucking a four-hitter and striking out eight to finish the season as the LL's top pitcher with a 9-2 record. Johnny O'Toole, who had beaten Lee in a slab duel for the first-half title, was the loser and completed the season at 8-3, a top achievement for an 11-year old.

Brian McLaughlin, with two singles; Buskirk, who blasted his 4th homer, and Shawn Sherry, with a single, accounted for the four hits off Lee.

Legion has now had its innings. Five other LL rivals are waiting for next season.

* Reprinted from The Brookline Journal - August 16, 1973 *

1973 Little League Champs - American Legion

1973 Legion Little League Team.

Front Row: Anthony Ciaramella, Jake Zucco, Kevin Price, Keith Sciulli, Scott Smith, David Williams, Kerwin O'Rourke, Pat Kelly.
Standing: Coach Nick Rossi, Johnny Lee, Mark Lamonde, Jimmy DelGreco, Ray Benvenuti, Mark Sciulli, Dino DelMastro, Carmen Tripodi, Coach Angelo Masullo Sr.

* Photo provided by Angelo Masullo Sr. *

1973 Minor League Champs - McGee's

1973 McGee's Minor League Team

Front Row: UNKNOWN, Mike Morgan, Jerry Lubic, UNKNOWN, Jim McGee (batboy), Ron Nolla, Paul Stewart, Mark Roper, UNKNOWN.
Standing: Coach Ben Hartman, Dave Manko, Jim Marshall, Kinsworthy, Kieffer, UNKNOWN, Fred Hartman, Anthony Esposito, Manager Jack McGee.

Click on image for a larger picture.

* Photo provided by Joe McGee *

Mom's Game

* The Little League Moms *

Picture of 1973 Little League Moms

Standing: Umpire Pat Buskirk, Mary Ann Gallagher, Judy Beveridge, Janet Toskey, Rene Walsh, Joanne Graham, Toxy Healy, Manager Pat Burton, Barb Schumacher, Mary Lou Miller, Bernie O'Rourke, Maggie Bonner and Ellie Lamonde.
Kneeling: Nancy Williams, Diane Augustine, Peg Hitt, Judy Schmude, Josephine Nassif, Sally Clark and Pat Bradley.
Mascot: Mark "Little Knobby" Walsh on motorcycle. The motorcyclist in the rear is John Passeau.

* The Instructional League Moms *

Picture of 1973 Instructional League Moms

Standing: Umpire Pat Buskirk, Umpire "Babe" Anderson, Gloria Bonnaner, Rose Caruso, Renee Doyle, Mary Mangan, Arlene Manko, Jean Hartman, Peggy Voyer, Marian Tondolo, Mary Kinsworthy, Lil Barth, ____ and Josie Fogel.
Kneeling: Helen Kinzel, Lorrraine DiMaio, Manager Rita Falce (behind still), Mary Lou Folino and Eleanor Ferrari.

* Photos provided by Clint Burton and George Kinzel *

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