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Dishin’ the Dirt: August 2024

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By Steve Svetovich

Congratulations to 10 new members selected into the Northeastern Chapter of the PA Sports Hall of Fame to be inducted Sunday, October 6, at Fiorelli’s, Peckville…The new members include former Seton Hall and Marywood College volleyball player and long-time Dunmore volleyball coach Susan Dempsey; former West Scranton, Penn State, and Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt McGloin; former Valley View and Brown University softball player Gina Chieffallo Moreno; former Mid Valley basketball and softball player and Lackawanna Junior College and Old Dominion University basketball player Elizabeth (Beth) McGowan; long-time PIAA baseball/softball umpire and basketball official Joseph Dente; former Mid Valley and Keystone Junior College basketball player and Penn State Worthington and St. Rose of Carbondale basketball coach James Tomcho; former Abington Heights state champion track and field standout Jordan Hoyt Calvey, and former Valley View football and track and field standout Steven Pratico…Scranton Times-Tribune sports editor Chris Imperiale will receive annual Media Award…Former Scranton Wilkes-Barre Red Barons general manager Rick Muntean will be recipient of annual Service Award…Dunmore’s Bob Walsh is president of the Northeastern Chapter of the PA Sports Hall of Fame…Mid Valley baseball product Jerry Valonis is vice president…

Congratulations to Dunmore softball players Rachel Walsh and Tristan Canavan named second team all-state…Entertainment world mourning passing of Shannen Doherty, Richard Simmons, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Shelley Duvall, and legendary Bob Newhart at 94…Condolences to family of beloved former Scranton Mayor Jimmy Connors, always a strong people person and devoted enthusiast of local music scene, who died last month at 77…Happy birthday to Rolling Stones legend Mick Jagger, fit as ever at 81…

Congratulations to Jim Leyland, Todd Helton, Joe Mauer, and Adrian Beltre as newest members inducted into National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY last month…Leyland is 18th all-time in total wins as manager with 1,769…He won World Series with Florida Marlins, two pennants with Detroit Tigers and three consecutive divisional titles with Pittsburgh Pirates…Helton, lifetime Colorado Rockie, hit .316 with 369 homers, 592 doubles and 1,406 RBIs in 17 years…He hit NL league leading .372, with 59 doubles, 42 homers, 147 RBIs and 216 hits and .463 on base percentage in 2000…Mauer, lifetime Minnesota Twin, hit .306 in 15 years and won record three batting titles as a catcher…He hit .365 in 2009 AL MVP season…Beltre amassed 3,166 hits, including 636 doubles, 477 homers, and drove in 1,707 runs in 21-year career as standout defensive third baseman…He hit NL league leading 48 homers and drove in 121 runs for Dodgers in 2004…

Congratulations to Dunmore’s Max Forgione named first team all-state, Division II Coaches’ first team all-star and to All-Region team for baseball…Dunmore to use $69,000 in Local Share Account funding from state to renovate exterior of its borough building…Congratulations to Holy Cross graduate Chris Petrucci, all-star offensive and defensive lineman, who received Karl Pfeilffenberger Community Outreach Award presented by Scranton Lions Club at 90th annual Dream Game at John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium last month…Condolences to family of Leo D’Angelo, operator of Lasalle the Image Makers for over six decades and known for his impeccable suits and colorful haberdashery, who,died last month at 96…His son Leo is a local baseman umpire and also works in the business…

Congratulations to Holy Cross recent graduate Mia Scalese named to All-Region softball team…She batted .411 with eight doubles, a triple, eight runs, eight RBIs and had 10-2 pitching record with 3.00 ERA and 59 strikeouts…Congratulations to Misericordia University baseball team who won Division III national championship and was honored at White House…How about Dylan Cease tossing second no-hitter in San Diego Padres history?…Brian Cashman making key moves for New York Yankees picking up versatile speedster Jazz Chisholm from Marlins and hard throwing veteran reliever Pete Fairbanks from Rays in recent trades…Condolences to family of Jeff Kardos, regular for breakfast at Dunmore’s Bucktown Diner, local swimming pool and excavation contractor, and proud owner of Kardos Construction who died suddenly last month at 63…Condolences to family of Emily Tropeano, Carbondale Area 2024 graduate who was cheerleader and member of Student Council and National Honor Society, who died this past June at 18 while vacationing with classmates in Ocean City, Maryland…

Music legend Bob Dylan, 83, who performed with Willie Nelson, Robert Plant and Allison Krause last month at Bethel Woods, coming out with staggering 27-disc set that includes 27 of 40 shows from his 1974 concert tour with The Band…Dunmore’s Ryan Svetovich had pleasure of performing guitar with his grandfather Stan Svetovich, 90, on drums during The Fabulous Fortunes performance at Bucktown Musicfest at Dunmore Corners last month…The Luongo Brothers of Dunmore were on same bill…Former Dunmore Councilman Joe Tomko among those in attendance…Dunmore scored eight times in second inning to beat Old Forge, 17-5, in District 17 Little League 8-9-10 baseball…Nick Demuro had two hits and Cullen Hart, Gio Gianzanti and Brody McCarthy each had two RBIs for Dunmore…Jimmer Mendola pitched a complete game four-hitter and struck out eight while hitting two doubles, scoring twice and knocking in two runs to lead Dunmore to a 4-2 win over West Scranton in District 17 Majors baseball…Brady Schulte drove in another run on base hit for Dunmore…

Do you remember John Nuttall?…Whatever became of Al Holland?…Is this the year that Brian McGurl finally lets Tom Hallinan sing at the ‘Shindig” during Dunmore’s Bucktown Musicfest?…Bets are on…

Dishin’ the Dirt: July 2024

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Congratulations to Dunmore Lady Bucks softball coach Ryan Ferguson and Holy Cross Lady Crusaders softball coach Joe Ross who faced each other in annual Field of Dreams game at PNC Field in Moosic…Congratulations to dynamic duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown for earning their first rings leading Boston Celtics to record 18th NBA title, breaking tie with LA Lakers franchise…Brown was finals MVP…And how about veteran Celtics forward Al Horford winning his first NBA title in 17th season…Baseball world saddened by passing of Say Hey Kid Willie Mays at 93…Mays was oldest living member of National Baseball Hall of Fame and widely known as game’s greatest five-tool player ever…Known for his natural charismatic style, basket catches and spectacular defensive play in center field, Mays hit .302 with 660 homers, stole 339 bases, totaled 3293 hits, drew 1,468 walks, scored 2.068 runs, hit 525 doubles and 141 triples, drove in 1,909 runs while playing in 24 all-star games as member of New York-San Francisco Giants and New York Mets…Mays also lost over one and a half years MLB playing time due to his stint in military and surely would have hit over 700 homers and totaled over 3,500 hits…His over the head running catch with his back to the ball off bat of Cleveland Indians slugger Vic Wertz in game one of 1954 World Series is simply know as “The Catch” and was followed by outstanding throw…It is still recognized decades later as greatest catch ever…Mays was still making acrobatic catches in his 40’s in early 1970’s…Local youth sports leagues across several counties mourning passing of beloved basketball referee/baseball umpire Teddy Loftus, Bishop O’Hara graduate, born and raised in Dunmore…He died at 60 last month in tragic motor vehicle accident…Tristen Canavan, Sophia Summa, Allie Dempsey and Mollie Gatto represented Dunmore Lady Bucks in annual Field of Dream Game at PNC Field in Moosic…Congratulations to West Scranton Teener League baseball player Brennan Snyder, grandson of recently retired Scranton School District paraeducator Judy Lowry Vitris, who received Presidential Scholar Award for maintaining 3.67 average and higher for past three years and placing in advanced on all his State Assessment Tests at Delaware Valley Middle School…Captain of his baseball team and also a wrestler, he will continue his bright sports and academic careers at Delaware Valley High School in the fall…Philadelphia Phillies honored retired pitching standout Cole Hamels at Citizens Bank Park last month…Phillies star Bryce Harper is leading NL candidate for his third MVP this season…Yankees Aaron Judge, on hitting tear, in line for his second AL MVP…Condolences to family of Pennsylvania American Legion Department Commander Stephen Lavelle, Dunmore, who died last month at 74, and was married 53 years to former Dunmorean staffer Donna Lavelle…He was a U.S. Navy veteran serving off coast of Vietnam before taking top spot with Veteran’s Association…He was member of American Legion for over 35 years and served as Dunmore Victory Post 13,Commander for over 30 years…His Commander Project for 2024 membership year is PA American Legion Scholarship Fund that issues $1,000 per year scholarship grant to college students of PA American Legion members who enroll and maintain good grades in four-year higher education program…Commander Lavelle helped raise over $72,000 for this fund…Holy Cross boys basketball program moving from Class 2A to Class 3A for 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons…Winning pitcher Jack Pierson was one of four players who doubled as Moosic beat Dunmore, 6-2, in District 17 8-9-10 Little League All-Star tournament…Mason Link, Brady Lavelle and S.J. Genell also hit doubles for Moosic…Cullen Hart tripled and Luciano Cintron doubled for Dunmore…Congratulations to Misericordia University baseball coach Pete Egbert named Division III National Coach of Year…Congratulations to Holy Cross record-setting jumping duo Kevin Vincent and Matt Lyons for competing in high jump posting 1-2 finish in Robert Spagna Championships…PIAA Board of Directors approved first reading of motion sanctioning sport of girls flag football by unanimous vote, 30-0, last month…Not only did Dunmore Lady Bucks senior catcher Tristen Canavan hit .452 with five homers this season, but also stole 25 bases and scored 31 runs…Sophomore Rachel Walsh hit .500 and led Lady Bucks with 31 RBIs…Roger Daltry, 80, of The Who put on amazing concert at Bethel Woods last month and shows no signs of slowing down…Former Dunmore Councilman Paul Nardozzi will attend his 50th Rolling Stones concert with his son Chris at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, CA this July 13…Do you remember Kenny Olsen?…Lackawanna County seeking state funding on behalf of Dunmore Missy League for softball field lighting project at Sherwood Park in borough…County Commissioners ratified grant application last month seeking more than $190,000 through state’s Greenways, Trails and Recreation program for project…Dunmore Neighborhood Watch head and Planning Commission member Gary Duncan and wife Lynne observed enjoying first night of Bucktown Music Fest…Former Dunmore Counilman Joe Tomko also seen in the big crowd…How about the new in-door facility at Dunmore’s Schautz Stadium…Former Green Ridge Little League and Teener League pitching standout Billy Walker, Scranton Central graduate, in town from Florida last month visiting his sister Susan…Former Scranton Central wrestler and Green Ridge Little and Teener League baseball standout Kevin “Gig” McGowan retired in Louisianna recently and is concentrating on his writing and poetry…Scranton Central graduate Danny Lavelle, 20-year military man, recovering well from recent heart attack in Florida where he resides…It would be fitting if Dunmore borough renamed street leading into Veterans Memorial (Gatto) Stadium Jack Henzes Way…And how about naming the equipment room after Henzes?…Holy Cross senior shortstop Nic Borgia set personal goal to hit .300 this season and he more than reached it at .323…Do you remember Brian “Fudge” Fidatti?…Whatever became of Downtown Ollie Brown?…

Dishin’ the Dirt: June 2024

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By Steve Svetovich

Congratulations to Dunmore Lady Bucks sophomore stalwart softball pitcher Rachel Walsh for 300th career strikeout…She now has 313 career strikeouts in two seasons…And best of luck to Rachel as she begins recovery from left knee medial meniscus tear and partial left ACL suffered in team’s loss to Holy Cross in district semifinal…Rachel won 12 games with 2.46 ERA and 169 strikeouts for Lady Bucks this year…She batted .448 with a .614 on base percentage, three homers, 22 runs, 26 hits, 31 RBIs, seven doubles, one triple and .758 slugging percentage…Dunmore senior softball catcher Tristan Canavan led team with .452 batting average, 28 hits and five, 31 runs, 25 stolen bases and .806 slugging percentage…She also hit seven doubles, drove in 18 runs and had .534 on base percentage…Dunmore freshman Emily McGowan led team with eight doubles, batted .353, had .413 on base percentage, eight stolen bases, 17 runs, 24 hits and .470 slugging percentage…Congratulations to Dunmore senior track and field standout Maura Michalczyk selected Scholastic Super Star by Scranton Times-Tribune…Maura received Gold Medal in pole vault at Districts and medal in pole vault in state competition…She also received numerous awards and scholarships at Dunmore’s Senior Night…Dunmore football coach Kevin McHale and his staff will lead City team in 90th Scranton Lions Dream Game Wednesday, July 17, at Valley View Stadium…Representing Dunmore are Thomas Bowen, Chris Conte, Domenic DeSando, Nick Donvito, Rogan Dougherty, Jake Hickey, Danny Pigga, Nathan Reuther and Nick Tullio…Chris Petrucci from Holy Cross also selected…Congratulations to Dunmore’s Johnnie Occhipinti selected Student-Athlete of Year by Luzerne County Community College…Former Scranton Prep swimming standout Morna Murray present at her school’s reunion recently…Former Scranton Prep swimmer Ty O’Malley and wife Susie Ratchford O’Malley also present at Prep class reunion held at the school…Local judge Atty. Joseph Saporito, Jr., Pittston, present at reunion…Former Scranton Prep football player Sean Coyle also present…Rolling Stones legendary frontman Mick Jagger, 80, put on quite a show at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey last month…Jagger making 80 the new 40 by strutting, singing, spinning and sprinting non stop throughout over two-hour concert leaving fans truly amazed…And Rolling Stones legends Keith Richards, 80, and Ronnie Wood, 77, did not disappoint…Dunmore’s Dylan Svetovich, a Marywood University baseball product, picked up win with three scoreless innings of relief pitching for Lavelle Insurance in Tri-Valley League baseball contest and next game made diving catch and over the head running grab tumbling over the fence while playing centerfield…Congratulations to veteran softball coach Joe Ross and his Lady Crusaders who advanced to district title game before losing to Elk Lake, 4-3…Congratulations to Mid Valley Spartanettes for beating Holy Redeemer, 4-3, to capture District 2 Class 3A softball championship…Congrarulations to Valley View who repeated as District 2 Class 4A softball champions with 4-2 win over Tunkhannock…Congratulations to Scranton Prep for winning first District 2 Class 2A lacrosse championship over Crestwood…Local sports fans disappointed Scranton Times-Tribune not publishing most MLB box scores and usually two days late on local sports scene…Condolences to family of Green Ridge’s Frank Cimino, retired employee of Lackawanna County Tax Claim Bureau and huge New York Yankees fan, who died last month at 99…Holy Cross sophomore Ava Schmidt pitched five inning no-hitter with six strikeouts and homered in Lady Crusaders 11-0 win over Dunmore in district semifinal…Peyton Graboske, Mia Scalese and Alison Ross all hit doubles for Holy Cross…Scranton Prep senior Zander Condeelis will play baseball next year at Division I Canisius University…Congratulations to Dunmore’s Nathan Reuther and Chris Conte honored as Hookey Reap Award winners as top linemen in Lackawanna County…A dozen candidates are on ballot for election into Northeastern Chapter of PA Sports Hall of Fame…Eight will be elected as Class of 2024 during ceremony Sunday, October 6, at Fiorelli’s, Peckville…Candidates include former Dunmore volleyball player Susan Dempsey and former Holy Cross track and field and cross country coach Charlie Orlando…Other candidates are Sandy Zanghi, Jordan Hoyt Calvey, Gary Grudzinski, Steven Pratico, Joe Dente, Matt McGloin, Beth McGowan, Gina Chieffallo Moreno, Jim Tomcho and Tony Blaisure…Former Scranton Wilkes-Barre Red Barons general manager Rick Muntean will be honored with chapter’s service award…Times-Tribune sports editor Chris Imperiale will receive media award…Voting will be held June 24 through July 3…Only Hall members can vote…To request an application for membership, contact Bob Walsh at 570-346-2228 or Jerry Valonis at 570-498-9461…Dunmore’s Vic Fangio, 66, spoke at press conference last month introducing him as new defensive coordinator for Philadelphia Eagles…Holy Cross freshman Jules Galella had three hits and four RBIs as sophomore Ava Schmidt pitched five inning one-hitter in Lady Crusaders 13-2 win over Lakeland in district quarterfinal softball game…How about the tear New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is on with 21 homers, including 14 in May, at press time…Condolences to family of Green Ridge’s Mike Osborne, former Scranton Tavern League softball player and Notre Dame football fan, who died last month at 55…Former New York Giants Super Bowl champion and standout lineman Chris Snee, four-time Pro Bowl pick and Montrose football product, named senior scout for his former team…Do you remember Green Ridge’s Rick Taylor?…Whatever became of Willie Wilson?…