THE FAIIRLEIIGH DIICKIINSON UNIIVERSIITY FALL 2011 BASEBALL ALUMNII NEWSLETTER

“WE HAVE ENTERED A NEW ERA.”

What a week for FDU Baseball. Alumni Game, Hall of Fame Banquet and Naimoli Dedication… Plus the 2011-2012 Varsity Debuts vs. Felician.

­By: Coach Gary Puccio Many of last year's seniors participated were joined by fellow Hall baseball in the game which was very competi - member Dennis O'Brien. Turco was the From October 1 to October 8, it was tive. FDU newcomer and cleanup hitter last inductee, and he did not disappoint quite a week to be an FDU Knights Sean Yoshikawa drove home two runs in his acceptance speech. The win - baseball fan. On Saturday, October 1 for the current Knights to lead the squad ningest pitcher in FDU history was both at 11 AM, the team held its annual to a 3-0 victory. poignant and humorous in thanking all alumni game. Despite threatening those who were instrumental in his weather, the turnout was solid. Players Turco Inducted to HOF career. Hall of Famer Charlie Linfante, representing all six decades of Knights Later that evening at the Park Ridge whose father coached Lou, presented baseball history showed up for the day. Marriott, the annual Hall of Fame Turco for induction. Impressively, five Hall of Famers were Dinner was held. Always a classy and (continued on page 4) also in attendance: Jon Bittmann, special event, this year managed to be Charlie Linfante, Steve Dembowski, one of the best evenings ever. Baseball Don Patlen, and the newly elected Lou was well-represented again, as the five Turco. Hall of Famers from earlier in the day

1 Harvey Woods Scholarship Fund Makes a Difference As many of my teammates know, shortly after my retirement from Pfizer in 2000, my wife Adele and I decided to establish the Harvey Woods Scholarship Fund (HWS), named after my former Coach and Athletic Director, in appreciation for the baseball schol - arship I received way back in the mid- 60s. Without that scholarship, I would have been unable to attend college on a full-time basis, and most certainly would not have been able to play in a Division I program. Our thoughts were to provide an additional scholarship for the baseball team with firm restrictions limiting it to candidates who have Lou Turco, ’73, All-Time Winning Pitcher, demonstrated outstanding success on Joins Hall of Fame the field, the ability to manage college level studies, be of good moral character Honored at the annual banquet on Turco’s record was 19-7 with 140 and have financial needs. October 1, Lou Turco became the thir - strikeouts and 79 walks. He also is in teenth baseball player and seventh the top three in history for innings I am proud to say that many former pitcher to be inducted to the Fairleigh pitched with 254.2 and also has 12 FDU baseball players have contributed Dickinson Division I Athletics Hall of complete games. In his sophomore to the program to help it continue to Fame. Nominated by fellow HOF year he made the Division All-Star grow. Since we began the program, member, Charlie Linfante (’62), Lou Team Honorable Mention and was the four student-athletes have benefited gave a rousing speech during which Met Conference MVP his junior year. from the HWS and have expressed he thanked Charlie’s late father Vince Turco was also all conference for two their appreciation for the opportunity. for helping him become the Knights all years and a member of the Bergen I would like each of you to think back time leader in wins. Lou also credited County Baseball Hall of Fame while to when you were playing and to reflect John Orsino, Varsity head coach from finishing his career by playing with on the impact that FDU baseball has 1970 to 1976 and 1980, for teaching the Yankees for a year. had on your life, and to make a contri - him a variety of “secret” pitches that bution to the fund so that others may helped him keep batters off balance. benefit from the program as you have. During his four years on the mound, Sincerely, Dennis O’Brien, Class of 1965 . Second Annual “First Pitch” Dinner Park Ridge Marriott, February 18, 2012 Head Coach Gary Puccio’s second Mike Mongiello (’89); Joe annual First Pitch Dinner at the Park Pearn (’86), and first baseman, Steve Ridge Marriott is set for February 18, Stuart (’89). 2012. “We’re looking forward to an even bigger crowd than the 110 people Coach Puccio also alerted players, family who attended last year’s dinner,” said members and alumni to expect the fun Coach Puccio. The 2010 dinner was of this season’s dinner to go on for a highlighted by the introduction of 7 bit longer. “We have a lot more players members of the Knights 1970s All to introduce this year, including 19 Decade team. “Our players really got freshmen who during the fall season a kick out of meeting the All-Decade proved that they will add important guys,” Coach Puccio recalls. “This depth and strength to our squad.” year, we’re going to honor the All Decade team of the eighties.” Tickets for the dinner are $75. Members of the 80’s All Decade squad To reserve your ticket email Coach include four Hall of Fame players: out - Puccio at [email protected]. fielder Mike Hennessy (’90); pitcher Or phone 20 1.692.2245 Coach Harvey Woods

2 Two Hall of Famers Head Fifties All Decade Team Nominees Hall of Famers Bill Pollack hitter (with a great arm, (’60) and Don Patlen (’55) as well) that topped all headline the list of 25 batters for the decade players nominated for the with a .415 single season Knights 1950’s All Decade BA? Which Knight from team. Including players the ‘50s racked up a 330 on teams from 1951 to career BA? And who is 1960, the list vividly illus - the pitcher from those trates the skills of FDU early years that compiled legend Harvey Woods, an enviable 2.10 career both as a coach and a ERA? recruiter. Online voting at www. fduknights.com Take a look at the runs from November 28 nominees’ complete to January 15, 2012. career stats posted at www.fduknights.com to see if you can identify the first pitcher to win 7 games in one season. Who’s the heavy Top vote getters will be announced early in 2012.

FDU '50S All Decade Team Nominees

OUTFIELD POS. YEARS G AB RHHR RBI AVG. Bill Fiorelli OF 54-56 56 236 46 66 2 26 .280 Ralph Guadagno OF 59-60 32 57 17 17 1 10 .298 John Kelleher OF 51-54 72 278 57 71 7 53 .255 Frank Pinto OF 56-58 66 253 48 70 3 46 .277 Fred Roedel OF 51-54 75 247 34 66 3 39 .267 Ira Schwartz OF 57-59 67 252 61 73 9 61 .290

CATCHER Phil Kutt C 57-59 68 279 67 92 2 51 .330 Tony Maisano C-OF 57-58 40 107 18 32 0 15 .299 Frank Monello C 53-56 76 303 49 71 3 52 .234

INFIELD John DeSantis IF 56-58 51 133 18 40 0 19 .301 Frank Gilabert*** IF/P 58-60 47 151 30 44 5 41 .291 Jim Livolsi IF 54,56 34 102 16 32 0 13 .314 Don Margolin IF 55-57 63 248 41 72 4 41 .290 Jim Miller IF 52-55 74 264 59 73 5 43 .277 Don Patlen IF 52-55 73 274 68 88 9 70 .321 Joe Prieto IF 58-60 47 138 30 39 7 31 .283

PITCHER POS. G IP RHSO WL ERA Frank Buono P 51-53 20 66.2 30 32 34 62 4.32 Frank Gilabert IF/P 58-59 47 163.2 28 92 48 14 4 3.01 Russ Hughes P 51-52 15 107.1 28 69 57 92 2.35 Bill Pollack P 59-60 17 160.2 44 166 101 14 3 2.46 George Zuchniewicz P 52-53 11 73 17 36 33 73 2.10

3 (continued from pag e 1) Naimoli Family Baseball facility. I thought about how many second out. On the play, the tying Complex Dedication new recruits came this year and will scored. However, the rally was thwart - come here in the future. They will look ed, and FDU went on to score three at Mr. Naimoli's ball field and decide more times in route to a 5-3 win in the While the alumni game and Hall of that FDU is where they want to play opener. Sean Yoshikawa, a junior col - Fame dinner were special enough, there their collegiate careers. Though my lege transfer from California, drove was more to come. assistants and I will do the work in home two runs in the victory. recruiting those athletes, it is really Mr. On Wednesday, October 5, the dedica - Naimoli's gift that will make getting The second game was a true pitching tion of the Naimoli Family Baseball those players a reality rather than a duel, as Brendan Butler and Mike Complex completed the trifecta. With dream. Eliasen pitched six innings of three Vince Naimoli himself in attendance, ball allowing only one run. However, the ceremony began at 4:30 PM. Singer We are also determined - we are with FDU leading 3-2 in the eighth and Kerene Limage, a freshman at FDU, set focused on the ultimate goals of play - two out, Felician hit a to the tone for a classy and superb presen - off appearances, NEC titles and the straight away center field to tie the tation when she brought down the ultimate - getting to the NCAA tourna - game. The game stayed that way until complex with her rendition of the Star ment. It will not be an easy journey, the bottom of the ninth inning, which Spangled Banner. Speakers for the dedi - but thanks to Mr. Naimoli's generosity, featured exciting FDU baseball. Riley cation included Rich Reiss, Pat Zenner, thanks to the alumni's support and Moonan led the inning off with a dou - Athletic Director David Langford and thanks to the baseball Hall of Famers ble to left center field. Matt Holsman, team captain Mike Eliasen representing who represent those days of accom - up to bunt the runner to third, laid the current FDU KNIGHTS. Eliasen plishments for this program, we will down a beauty and beat the play at first then joined fellow co-captain Ryan not fail. base as well. After the bases were Kresky as they presented Mr. Naimoli loaded and two men had been retired, with a framed jersey from FDU base - WHAT A WEEK!!!! But we weren’t Eric Anderson, FDU’s power hitter, ball. The entire baseball team was done yet. Read on…. came up big with his fourth hit of the there, dressed in their white uniforms afternoon, a bullet down the right field as well. Mr. Naimoli then took the Fall Scrimmage vs. Felician line to score Matt Holsman with the podium and spoke with the wisdom game winner. and experience of the type of man he Gives Hope to 2012 Season is. He inspired the team, telling them Head Coach Gary Puccio had this to say On a beautiful fall day, October 8, 2011, that they need to do well in school and about the ballclub: “I am excited about the FDU Knights debuted their edition on this new field. JT Sherba, the senior the attitude and determination this of the 2012 roster in a scrimmage game catcher, then caught the ceremonial first young team has. I know we have a lot with Felician College. With 17 fresh - pitch thrown by Vince. Refreshments of work to do, but it was definitely a men on the new FDU squad, Coach on the field followed as did a reception case of putting the right foot forward.” for Mr. Naimoli in the Rutherford Room. Puccio felt it was appropriate to get their feet wet against a very solid While posing for a picture with Mr. Division II program. Puccio’s reputa - Naimoli and my captain, I couldn't help tion as a coach has always been based Follow the Knights and Coach but think about the moment. As I on strong pitching and defense, and the Puccio Online stood there, I realized that this was "the Knights did not disappoint. In the third turning point" in FDU baseball -- that inning, trailing 2-1, Felician put runners Look for team news and Coach Puccio’s we have entered a new era, an era on second and third with only one out Blog at www.fduknights..com. You can where we are expected to return FDU to and looked ready to score. But Mike also download a PDF of this newsletter its baseball glory days. I looked out at Eliasen saved a run when he made a at the site and forward it to your alumni my players, and saw so many faces diving backhand stop at third base and teammates . beaming in the excitement of their new came up throwing to first for the

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EXTRA INNINGS EDITORIAL STAFF Steve Dembowski Bill Himmelmann 75 Zimmer Ave., Midland Park, NJ 07432 50 Mills Ave., Norwood, NJ 07648 Jon Bittmann [email protected] 20 1- 65 2-8669 20 1-768-7655 [email protected] 819 Georgetown Drive, Ramsey, NJ 07446 20 1-962-3668 jonbittmann@gmailcom Gary Puccio Arnie Diskin Fairleigh Dickinson University Design & Layout Dennis O’Brien 1000 River Road, Teaneck, NJ 619 Charles Court, River Vale, NJ 07675 3 Witherspoon Lane, 201-692-2245 [email protected] The Creative Department, LLC Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 20 1- 666-2944 [email protected] 908-326-6834 [email protected]

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