Dr. Tony Salem (left) and Harry Daut received the William “Pickles” Kennedy Award last week’s during the Oldtimers Bats and Balls Association meeting at Randi’s Restaurant. (Tom Waring)
Harry Daut and Dr. Tony Salem have received the William “Pickles” Kennedy Memorial Award at the Oldtimers Bats and Balls Association meeting.
Daut played baseball and basketball at Frankford High School. He went on to play baseball for Nativity in the Pen-Del League and semi-pro football for Bridesburg American Legion.
Later, he played fast-pitch softball for Flatiron Athletic Club, a successful travel team. He played third base. He is a member of the Philadelphia Softball Hall of Fame.
Salem is a Johnstown native who played basketball, football and baseball in high school. He went on to play football and baseball at Johns Hopkins University, where he was student council president.
The New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers and Washington Senators made him offers to play baseball, but he decided to concentrate on schooling. He came to Philadelphia to attend medical school at Temple University.
Today, he is an orthopedic surgeon at Holy Redeemer Medical Center. He was also the longtime team doctor for Chestnut Hill Academy and Neshaminy High School.
Johnstown has honored Salem by giving him the key to the city.
The Oldtimers, a group of former athletes and officials, meet four times a year at Randi’s Restaurant & Bar, at 1619 Grant Ave. in Bustleton.
The Nov. 14 meeting attracted greats including American League Most Valuable Player Bobby Shantz, former Phillies outfielder Doug Clemens and former pro football player Joe Scarpati.
Scarpati was pictured in the Oct. 29 issue of Sports Illustrated as part of a story on kickers who share the NFL-record by making a 63-yard field goal. Scarpati signed autographs of the photo of him holding for New Orleans Saints kicker Tom Dempsey, who made a 63-yarder in 1970.
The next Oldtimers luncheon will be at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 13, at Randi’s.
For more information on the group, call Chuck Newns (215–612–0476), Ron Fritz (215–327–9086), Jack Purdy (215–968–0404) or Ron March (609–209–0849), or visit www.batsandballs.org ••
