The Oldtimers Bats and Balls Association recently honored three people, two with the Bill “Pickles” Kennedy Award and one with the Chuck Newns Recognition Award.
The Nov. 9 meeting took place at Randi’s Restaurant & Bar, 1619 Grant Ave. in Grant Plaza II in Bustleton.
Receiving the Recognition Award was Kathy Killian, a Phillies vice president who lives in Holme Circle.
Receiving the Pickles Kennedy Award was Frank McArdle IV, who played football and baseball at Father Judge and was a head football coach at St. John Neumann and Cardinal Dougherty and an assistant at Judge, Archbishop Wood and Archbishop Ryan.
Also receiving the Pickles Kennedy Award was Lou Pacchioli, a football and baseball player at Easton High School who played baseball at East Stroudsburg. He played in the New York Mets organization, and two of his teammates were Nolan Ryan and Jerry Koosman. He was the longtime baseball coach at Bucks County Community College and athletic director at William Tennent.
Among those speaking was former Phillies pitcher Dickie Noles, perhaps best known for throwing a knockdown pitch to Kansas City Royals star George Brett in the 1980 World Series. Noles said he threw an up-and-in fastball to Brett after Willie Mays Aikens took a slow trot around the bases after hitting a home run. Royals manager Jim Frey ran on the field to complain, but Noles ultimately struck out Brett.
Former Eagles and Philadelphia Stars punter Sean Landeta introduced WIP host Paul Jolovitz, who said he was honored to sit at the same table as Jack Bodner, a 100-year-old Navy veteran of World War II and a former bat boy for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Jolovitz said it was “ridiculous” for Phillies manager Rob Thomson to remove Zack Wheeler in Game 6 of the World Series. Jolovitz misses a time when starting pitchers would go longer, recalling that the Phillies’ Robin Roberts once pitched 28 consecutive complete games.
Jolovitz said the Houston Astros had better starting and relief pitching, defense and hitting than the Phillies. He predicted the Phillies will trade first baseman Rhys Hoskins, who has just one year left on his contract.
As for Major League Baseball ending the shift next season, Jolovitz called it “the dumbest thing in the history of the world in sports.”
Others attending the luncheon included former Phillies second baseman Mickey Morandini; 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 Bobby Shantz, a former American League Most Valuable Player.
A Marine Corps League color guard presented the colors, and Roland Scarinci, a 99-year-old World War II veteran, performed God Bless America on his harmonica.
The Oldtimers group consists of former athletes and officials. Members meet three or four times a year at Randi’s. Lunch costs $12.
For more information on the group, call Jack Purdy at 215-968-0404 or visit www.batsandballs.org. ••
