SCOUTS HOT STOVE DINNER GIVES US ANOTHER ENTERTAINING BLAST

January 21, 2011

Leonard's, Great Neck

The weather was truly freezing, but the only cancellation out of over 250 was because of one guy's miscalculation of

the date. The 46th. annual dinner of the Hot Stove League was a usual smash event.

The Dinner Committee continued to be headed by Billy Blitzer, Joe Rigoli, and perennial MC, Ed Randall.  As for Billy, the only thing he didn't do was help serve the fantastic dinner, with choices of Filet Mignon and Breast of Chicken......not to mention the amazing preliminary buffet.

As usual, Blitzer's Cubs continued to absorb the humiliation of not having won a pennant since 1945.  At least I remember that year while Billy just read about it long after he was born.  At one point, Randall asked a question:

"What does a momma bear on birth control and the World Series have in common?  No Cubs!!!"

Conspicuously absent was long time friend and legendary scout, Herb Stein, who passed away several months ago.  He will be sorely missed.

Herb’s last dinner, 2010

A new award was created in his honor, "Herb Stein, Star of the Future". The first such recipient went to New York Yankees' rookie pitcher, Dellin Betances.  His 98 mile and hour fast ball is already recognizable in his young career. Betances is 6'7" and weighs in at 230 pounds.  Several photos were taken of him, but few stood back far enough to get him fully in the picture.

Betances

Guest speaker, Ed Charles of 1969 Mets fame, couldn't attend due to illness.

The awards:

Bennie Borgmann Good Guy Award to.......Gary Maertz, Chicago Cubs.

Dick Young Award to.......Wayne Coffee, sports writer, Daily News.

Steve Lembo Award to.......George Rogers, coach, South Troy Dodgers

Ralph DiLullo Award to.......Neal Ioviero, coach, Kean University

Gil Bassett Award to.......Steve Markovich, Seattle Mariners

Jim Quigley Award to.......Sweeny Murti, sports reporter, WFAN Radio

Ed Randall presented the A. B. "Turk" Karam award, the highlight of the evening, to Jim Bretz, SD Padres.

The longest speech of the night by far was delivered by Markovich, 17 minutes, a minute short of Scout Joe DeLucca's record 18 minutes in 2008.  The shortest speech since 1974 came from our beloved Herb Stein, who wowed the audience with 45 seconds.  He did not thank his dog.

Mitchell Cohen and Bob Wolff

As for this writer, I can only say that I appreciated Randall's introducing me as C.C. Sabathia’s new body guard.  It's good to feel wanted and desired for such a job on behalf of the New York Yankees.  Thanks again, Ed.

Randall's comedy scattered through the entire presentation, with a non-baseball joke about the guy who invented the ATM machine, and when he died he left his family $10 million dollars....all in twenties.  As funny as he is, Ed is equally powerful in wanting to strike out Prostate Cancer.  A survivor himself, all he asks is that you visit your doctor once every 6 months when the survival rate is over 95%.  If unattended, the patient has little chance.  Just like your dentist for a cleaning.........get that blood test!!!

Graphics by Eddie Resner 

Eddie Resner for the Allied Investment Group