THE OPENING INNING

Prez McKinley (Pat, not Theo) started the meeting by saying we had a great program today – like we didn’t know that - especially with the sell-out crowd we had for lunch – and that opening ceremonies were going to be abbreviated so that the speaker had ample time.  Prez acted as lead off with in the pledge.  After confusion about who was on deck, and when to stand and when to sit, Oates did a nice thought on the value of freedom and the Grif led us in a resounding rendition of America and an equally robust Smile.  Moving quickly through the lineup, in the third slot, Randy read off the names of the visiting players, which included many spouses, kids and grandkids.  Announcer Rick “Da Voice” Crane promoted Zoot’s Muckenthaler agenda, including the “Arts & Crafts Faire” [FREE, on August 10th, 1 to 5 p.m.] and the “Ko Su Hee Traditional Dance Institute”, also on August 10th, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. for $20.  See themuck.com for lots of other good stuff.  Next up, on behalf of the Boys & Girls Club, a Smart Car raffle in conjunction with the October 4th Auction. See Fred, Bob, Dan or John to acquire your.

RECOGNITIONS

            Randy McFarland was waiving his net around looking to catch anything that came his way, but FineMaster Mathy wasn’t pitching many scoring balls.  Summarizing, several members  not present had birthdays. Bob & Beth Jahncke, who were there, celebrated 47 years of wedded bliss.  Claude Jones and Chris Meyer were recognized for spousal birthdays.  May have been more but I missed them while trying to figure out Bill’s team affiliation from his headgear.

PRE-GAME

            For the home team, Fred Johnson resurrected Bud and Lou’s original and rare routine [Who’s on 1st, What’s on 2nd – I Don’t Know on 3rd] as the warm up for the real game.  Why… oh he’s in center.

THE GAME

Tommy Lasorda

Our Club is known to have good speakers, but every once in awhile we have a grand slam. Today was such a day.  Mr. Persistent, Greg Hickman, recruited, signed and introduced Hall of Famer and clean-up speaker extraordinaire – Tommy Lasorda – who proceeded to bat 1,000 with a line up of anecdotes that scored with the sold out house.  With all of Tommy’s stories, observations and yarns; one clear message that came through from this terrific, accomplished man from Norristown, PA that bleeds Dodger Blue.  If you believe in yourself, believe in those on your team and COMPETE with intense ferocity - you will be a winner.  Just ask the ’81 Yankees!