Timeless talents: The Oldtimers gave awards to Thomas Short, John Press (center) and Bill Siegle (right) on May 14 at Randi’s Restaurant. Millie Short (left) accepted the award for her late husband. MARIA POUCHNIKOVA / TIMES PHOTO
The Oldtimers Bats and Balls Association last week honored former athletes John Press, Bill Siegle and the late Tom Short 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.
Press starred in baseball and football for several Taconyarea teams and also played baseball in the U.S. Army.
Siegle, a Mayfair native who lives in Holmesburg, was a standout in football and baseball. In 1946, he was an allPop Warner Conference halfback in the heavyweight division. He later became an excellent golfer.
Short, who died last month at age 78, graduated from Ascension of Our Lord Grammar School and was a firstteam AllCatholic League basketball selection at North Catholic High School in 1953. In a game in the McVeigh Senior Basketball League, he scored 102 points in a 12043 victory by Mackin A.A. over Tioga A.A. He also played basketball and baseball overseas while in the U.S. Army. His favorite times were playing sports with his childhood friends who lived near Kensington and Allegheny avenues.
The award is named in memory of Kennedy, who starred in basketball at Abraham Lincoln High School. After his playing days at Temple, he spent a year with the NBA’s Philadelphia Warriors, then played minor league baseball for several years in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.
Among those attending the May 14 luncheon were Bobby Shantz, a former American League Most Valuable Player; Joe Scarpati, a former pro football player best known as the holder for Tom Dempsey’s then-NFL-record 63-yard field goal in 1970; and Doug Clemens, a former Phillies outfielder.
The next Oldtimers luncheons will be at noon on the following Wednesdays: Aug. 13 and Nov. 12. Lunch costs $11.
For information on the group, call Chuck Newns (215–612–0476), Ron Fritz (215–491–9380), Jack Purdy (215–968–0404) or Ron March (609–209–0849), or visit www.batsandballs.org ••
