Mike Brodzinski was one of the honorees. In June 2015, he saved an umpire’s life when he performed CPR on him during a baseball game.
The Oldtimers Bats and Balls Association last week honored four people with the William “Pickles” Kennedy Award.
The honorees were Doc Savage, Frank McArdle, Mike Brodzinski and John Baum.
Savage was recognized for being a standout football and baseball player.
McArdle, a Crispin Gardens native, attended Father Judge High School and was later football coach at St. John Neumann and Cardinal Dougherty.
Brodzinski, as a 16-year-old in June 2015, saved an umpire’s life when he performed CPR on him during a baseball game in Folcroft, Delaware County. Brodzinski, a volunteer firefighter, was on second base after doubling when he rushed to home plate to assist the umpire, taking off his chest protector and performing compressions. The ump was taken to a local hospital after being revived.
Now 19, Brodzinski remains a volunteer with Darby Fire Company.
Baum was a star basketball player at Temple and was a member of the Owls’ team that captured the NIT title in 1969. Teammate Clarence Brookens joined him at the Aug. 9 luncheon.
Baum went on to play for the Chicago Bulls in the NBA and the New York Nets, Memphis Tams and Indiana Pacers of the ABA. He is a color analyst on Temple radio broadcasts.
The Pickles Kennedy Award is named in memory of a former star basketball player at Abraham Lincoln and Temple. Kennedy spent a year with the NBA’s Philadelphia Warriors, then played minor league baseball for several years in the Pirates organization.
Among those attending the luncheon were Bobby Shantz, a former American League Most Valuable Player; Doug Clemens, a former Phillies outfielder; Skip Wilson, the retired longtime baseball coach at Temple; Ruth Richard, who played women’s baseball from 1947–54; and Jay Norman, a Temple basketball star who helped the Owls reach the Final Four in 1956 and ‘58.
The Oldtimers group consists of former athletes and officials. Members meet four times a year at Randi’s Restaurant & Bar, 1619 Grant Ave. in Grant Plaza II in Bustleton.
The Oldtimers will meet again on Wednesday, Nov. 8, at noon. Lunch costs $11.
For information on the group, call Jack Purdy (215–968–0404) or Ron March (609–209–0849), or visit www.batsandballs.org ••
