The honorees: (From left) Dick Connolly, Bobby Kennedy, Vince Papale and Rickie Ricardo (not pictured) were recently honored by the Oldtimers Bats and Balls Association.
The Oldtimers Bats and Balls Association earlier this month honored four people with the William “Pickles” Kennedy Award.
The group consists of former athletes and officials. Members meet four times a year at Randi’s Restaurant & Bar, at 1619 Grant Ave. in Grant Plaza II in Bustleton.
Earning the award were Vince Papale, Dick Connolly, Bobby Kennedy and Rickie Ricardo.
Papale played for the Eagles from 1976–78 and was the inspiration for the 2006 movie Invincible.
Connolly is a La Salle High School and Temple University graduate who was the head baseball coach at Frankford High School. He led the Pioneers to a victory over St. James in the 1972 city championship game. Some of the players from that team attended the luncheon. Connolly was also an assistant football coach at Frankford under Al Angelo and assistant basketball coach under Walter Bahr.
Kennedy plays Challenger Baseball and has been the baseball pitch counter at Pennridge High School for seven years. He’s also the honorary captain of the Pennridge baseball team, and is a big fan of all Philadelphia sports teams.
Ricardo is a WIP (94 FM) personality and the Spanish language broadcaster for the Phillies and Eagles.
The 2014 Oldtimers luncheons will be at noon on the following Wednesdays: Feb. 12, May 14, Aug. 13 and Nov. 12.
For information on the group, call 215–612–0476 or visit www.batsandballs.org ••
