Here is an update on the program for the November 29 Southern New England SABR

chapter meeting in Greenville, R.I.

Oil Can Boyd will come at 1 p.m. To accommodate that arrival time, we will break

for lunch at 12:15. That will give us from 11 to 12:15 for some presentations

and the mock Hall of Fame election (that will be the leadoff event, to give Mike

Darowski time to count the votes).

After Oil Can leaves, we will resume the program of presentations, trivia quiz,

and baseball book raffle. If you have time, please stay after we conclude to put

chairs, tables, and books away.

Here are the presentations scheduled. (They won’t necessarily be in this order):

Steve Krevisky, Hank Greenberg’s MVP season in Houston

Dixie Tourangeau, Why the Red Sox were so putrid in 2014.

Ty Waterman, SABR board of directors; request re simulation league.

Kerry Keene, Where Ichiro ranks among the greatest hitters.

Rick Harris, Newport baseball team.

Mark Kanter, The physics of hitting and pitching.

Richard Fabbri, Pitching in the 2014 World Series.

Bill Nowlin, Tom Yawkey.

We have a few media guides courtesy of the Red Sox. Not too many, so if you want

one, take it early.

Once again, if you plan to attend, send me an RSVP (lenlevin5@hotmail.com). We

need an accurate count for the food people.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Len Levin

This event will be from 11 am to 4 pm at St. Philip’s Parish Center, 622 Putnam Pike, Greenville, RI 02828

For questions and head count, please contact Len Levin at LenLevin5@hotmail.com………

I will be bringing these to the Chapter breakfast today, Nov. 22, in Hamden.  Available for a donation of $1 per book.

Eugene Edward Johnson (Gene), 77, of Vernon, Connecticut passed away at home peacefully on November 10, 2014 surrounded by his family. Born in Hartford, Connecticut to Raymond and Julia Muller Johnson, Gene lived in Manchester before moving to Vernon in 1963. Gene is survived by his beloved wife of more than 60 years, Helen Goss Johnson, his children Mary-Ellyn Johnson Baily and Jeff Baily; Jenifer Johnson Luby and Stephen Luby; Michael Johnson and Diane Carlson Johnson; Helen Johnson Rimsa and Thomas Rimsa; and Jeff Johnson and Nicole Wulterin Johnson; fourteen grandchildren and a large extended family. Gene was predeceased by his son, Raymond Eugene Johnson, in 1993. He is also survived by his loving sisters Valerie McCollough and Janet Kelley. Gene had three passions – his family, playing the piano, and baseball. Blessed with an easy-going outlook, he was able to relax and celebrate the lives of his children and grandchildren. If his children were involved, he never missed a game or a performance. In 1955, Gene was signed by the New York Giants professional baseball team. After eight years in the minor leagues, he retired from professional baseball to raise his family with his wife Helen. A proud baseball father, two of his sons, Mike and Jeff, were signed by professional baseball teams, the Texas Rangers and the Atlanta Braves. A classical pianist, Gene’s piano playing brought joy to many and occasional surprise to some, especially his baseball players. The Hartford Twilight League was hallowed in his household and Gene spent May through August coaching and cajoling players on to many championships. In addition to his three sons and three daughters, Gene was father and brother to hundreds of young men who believed in him enough to pick up their bats and gloves to play ball as the sun set. Two tee-shirts that he has worn for he last few years sum up Gene – one says, “Gramps, you da man!” and “Baseball is Life!” Calling hours will be Thursday, November 13 and Friday, November 14 between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. at the John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 West Center Street, Manchester, CT. Donations can be made to the charity of your choice . For online condolences please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.

Published in The Hartford Courant on Nov. 12, 2014

Johnny Taylor, greatest pitcher to hail from Connecticut, taught his daughters Maureen & Lynette many lessons.  Lynette read them at the Oct. 25 meeting at Quinnipiac.  Here is Lynette’s loving & prosaic tribute to her Dad..

“A Daughter Remembers Johnny “Schoolboy” Taylor

Johnny Taylor was a complex man who lived by simple principles…

-Love God

-Love your family

-Respect and honor the elderly

-ALWAYS tell the truth

-Be loyal to a fault

-Treasure your friends

-Earn an honest living, and live on less than you make

-Practice “pulling in your belt” during the lean times

-Always expect the best from others and challenge them to do even better

-Be courageous enough to challenge injustice

-Buy American to keep our country strong

-Learn a second language, even if just to greet someone

-Appreciate the contributions of other cultures

-Look out into space and wonder

-Let your kids see you reading and take them to the library weekly

-Listen to the birds and learn their language

-Nurture animals and even attempt CPR on a pet hamster

-The human touch is healing

-Discipline your children because you love them

-Walking is good for the mind, body and spirit

-Learn basic piano chords & serenade others with songs like “You’re Nobody ‘Til Somebody Loves You”.

-Be on time!

-Advocate for and support the underdog

-Don’t forget to PLAY…golf, bowling, fishing…

-Be a faithful steward while on planet Earth

-Teach your children to push a hand mower, use pruning shears and a snow shovel

-Allow your children to paint their own room

-No matter how hard you party the night before, NEVER miss a day’s work and give your best

-Wash off the day’s dirt and dust before hugging and kissing your loved ones

-Be a gentleman

-Give your children endearing yet zany nicknames

-Always go first class or don’t go at all

-Take long, leisurely drives in the country…just because…and let serendipity lead the way

(even more memorable with a staticky baseball game on the car radio.)

-Chug hot peppers to ward off stomach trouble, and master one signature dish (eggs Diablo)

-Be nostalgic, romantic and pragmatic

-Marry the prettiest and smartest girl you can find and put/keep her on a pedestal

-Marry for life

-Engage in mind-expanding debate

-Understand and appreciate your grandchildren and give them nicknames too!

In appreciation for his life,

Lynette Taylor Grande”

© Lynette Taylor Grande 2014