Denny, Pop, and the 1950 World Series
The Game: The date is Saturday, October 7, 1950 and Pop (age 35) and Denny (age 10) are on their way to the World Series in Yankee Stadium. They can’t remember where the tickets came from but my guess is they were provided by someone at Kerby Saunders, Inc. The temperature is in the mid 60s with some high clouds; a perfect day for a ball game. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:05 PM and 68,098 fans wait anxiously for the fourth game of the fall classic to get underway. The Yankees have won the first three games versus the Phillies and want to the close out the series. The Yankees start Whitey Ford who is a little known rookie who was called up mid-year and has nine wins during the regular season. The Phillies counter with Bob Miller who has 11 wins in his first full season in the majors and finishes second in the Rookie of the Year balloting for the National League. The Yankees are loaded with future hall of famers: Manager Casey Stengel, Yogi Berra, Whitey, Johnny Mize, Phil Rizzuto, and the great Joe DiMaggio. The Phillies are known as the “Whiz Kids” because they are young and very confident. Philly teammates Robin Roberts and Richie Ashburn would also be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Announcing the game that day was Dizzy Dean the great pitcher for the Cardinals who would also be inducted into the Hall three years later.
The Story: Pop and Denny are on Rt. 17 in Teteboro at a traffic light looking at their tickets when a big Cadillac pulls up next to them. Inside are two well dressed men who see that Pop and Denny have tickets for the game. One man leans out the window and confirms with Pop that they are headed to the game. Then he asks “Why don’t you guys park your car and come to the game with us?”. Hard to imagine such an offer in 2014 but this was 1950. They pulled the car over, parked in a gas station and hopped in the Caddy. The gentlemen were both attorneys for several of the Yankees and suggested that Denny and Pop meet them at the locker room door following game so they could meet the team. As Pop says below “We were speechless”.
The Yankees shut down a ninth inning rally and win the game five to two and sweep the series in four games. Denny and Pop head to the locker room as agreed, knock on the door, and wait…and wait..and wait. Now they are starting to think not only will they not be meeting the Yankees but they also don’t have a ride back to Jersey. Finally the door opens, the attorneys appear and they are ushered into the locker room. Some players have left but most are there and celebrating raucously. Pop rips off a piece of a cardboard box and Denny starts making the rounds to get autographs. He gets: Johnny Mize, Casey Stengel, Phil Rizzuto. Yogi, Joe Di, Gene Woodling, Cliff Mapes, Tommy Ferrick, Billy Martin, and announcer Dizzy Dean. But one autograph he doesn’t get is Whitey Fords, but more on that later. Not much is remembered about the ride back to the gas station and the drive home but in Denny’s possession are the autographs of the world champion NY Yankees. Not a bad day for a 10 year old baseball fan. Years later the autographs were framed and hang in Denny’s home office today.
Though I was only one at the time and clearly not involved I’ve been telling this story since I was a kid. I try to imagine how excited Denny must have been and how good Pop felt about such a great day with his oldest son. My guess is he was probably pretty happy as well to have an afternoon off and leave the other six kids at home. (I didn’t forget Barb as she arrived a year later.)
The Epilogue: So, back to Whitey Ford. In 2005, 55 years after the series game is played, Ricoh is conducting a national meeting in Las Vegas and we hired three former/current professional athletes to host a dinner and sit with our largest customers. Rod Gilbert, Freddy Couples, and Whitey Ford are all on hand. I am one of three guys chosen to co-host with our celebrity athletes and I successfully lobby for Whitey. We are seated, introductions are made and the dinner is served. The discussion is fluid and the wine is flowing. As we conclude dinner I see my opportunity and tell the 1950 World Series story. I have everyone’s undivided attention and conclude with the fact the one of the few autographs Denny didn’t get that day was Whitey’s. I produce the letter Pop wrote describing what happened that day and ask Whitey to sign it. Whitey looks at me and says “Sure, but it will cost you $100″. The thing is he doesn’t seem to be joking and we now have total silence at the table. I know we paid Whitey $10,000 and all expenses to show up and have dinner but I also know he can be a little prickly about signing his autograph. I hesitate, then take a chance. I look at Whitey and say “I’m really hoping two things are gonna happen right now. One, you are going to sign this autograph for my dad and my brother and two, I’m not gonna pay you $100.” Whitey looks at me a moment longer then cracks a smile and asks me to give him the letter. Phew! He was messing with me! Anyway, here is what he wrote:
Whitey and yours truly. He’s wearing a world series ring which I like to think is was from 1950.Dad’s Letter: Below is a letter Pop wrote in the mid 1990s at Denny’s request to document, as best he could, what happened. Whitey’s note is at the bottom of page 2. This letter resides in an envelope taped to the back of the frame holding the autographs. Enjoy:
1950 World Series video: The link below is to a short video of the series. Towards the end you see the Yankees heading into the locker room after winning the fourth game. Makes me happy to think Pop and Denny were in the room just a few minutes later.
Helen and Ray Memorial Dinner, October 19, 2013
Several years ago Barb had the idea that when mom and pop passed we come together in Mountain Lakes for a weekend and celebrate their lives. Turns out to have been a pretty good idea! Also, mom and pop had made their feelings clear and in keeping with their wishes this was not to be a religious or a solemn event. Just a gathering for the renewal of relationships, some hearty meals, good stories, some laughs, maybe a tear or two, and, in general, some quality time together. Well, we did it. Dinner Friday night, spreading the ashes at the Esplanade on Saturday afternoon, and the dinner and ceremony on Saturday night were perfect.
Special thanks to Chris Coombs, long time family friend, and cousin Michael-Ann for taking wonderful pictures at the dinner which you can see below. Also, thanks to those who came from so far away (California, Virginia, Mass., Columbus, New York, and Montville) to celebrate together.
I tried to put some order to the photos so below you’ll see the cocktail hour, ceremony and speakers, an appreciation for our spouses, cousins, and the next generation along with some photos of the “original eight”. If you would like to add any photos or comments just send them to me and I will insert them. So, now, enjoy!
Cocktail Hour
The Ceremony
First, our master of ceremonies, Todd, takes control. Aside from not letting me get up and speak for a second time he did a wonderful job.
Quiet down please
NO Art!! You’re not getting up here again!
I’m not kidding!!
OK, who’s next? Patty?
The Speakers
Thanks to all our speakers: Barb, Patty, Sean, Denny, Laura, Cardie, Megan, and Jan. Also, Maggie’s beautiful song and Quinn’s coming all the way from California to present that great video were deeply appreciated.
Barb
Patty
Sean
Laura
Megan
Cardie
Jan
Maggie Sang and the older folks cry.
And finally Quinn presents the video
The Audience
Judging by the smiles and applause it would appear our speakers did a good job.
In Appreciation…of our spouses
To Debby, Bob, Jan, Patty, and Adie: THANK YOU so much for putting up with all our craziness (much of it from me) for all these years. Mom and pop were proud of and loved you all.
In appreciation of our Cousins
Special thanks to Cardie, Carole, Dave, Michael-Ann, Laura, Jerry, Carol and Jack ‘o Boy for joining us. Your attendance was appreciated by all. I believe Uncle Jada, Aunt Betty, Aunt Stelle, Uncle George, our grandparents and, of course, my mom and dad are looking down and smiling; delighted that we spent this time together.
In Appreciation of the Next Generation
We are so proud of all of you. Don’t know how else to say it. Hopefully we set a good example for all of you on the benefits of remaining close and supportive. Thanks for being with us and celebrating Nana and Bompa.
In Appreciation of the “Original Eight”
The Big Boys
The Little Ones
A look back
Always watching over us
The Final Photos
Who new this….
….would lead to all this!!
Quinn and Aidan graduate:The academic world is rocked!!
Quinn Michael Mahony, son of Dave and Patty, (Dave is Denny’s son, who is Ray’s son, who is Ray’s son, who is Red Denny’s son, well, you get the idea) recently graduated from Capistrano Unified School District. Attending this monumental event were Quinn’s parents, brothers, Uncle Steve, and, making the journey all the way from Virginia, Aunt Barb.
Below is a brief write up from Dave on the events preceding graduation. In my view these events can be described as “so Mahony”. Goofing off and doing good almost simultaneously; somewhat of a family trait. Bompa and Nana would love it. The main thing is he was allowed “to walk”, graduated on time and is headed to college in the fall.
Dave’s commentary:
We didn’t get the OK from Quinn’s gym teacher till 4 hours before graduation that he would let him walk. He had to run 100 bleachers and fold all the gym clothes that were turned in to make up for sleeping through his 630 gym class most of the semester. It was Quinn’s commitment to help the teaching staff keep other kids sober that really put him over the top. Very Proud!
Patty and Dave with handsome Quinn
Gavin , Quinn, and Aidan
Aidan Storm Mahony (also son of Dave and Patty) graduated from 8th grade this June. He achieved high honors with a 3.85 (That’s an A minus for those who have been out of school for a while) Grade Point Average. He is looking forward to making his mark in HS this fall.
The proud graduate
Aidan (second from right) and buddies on graduation day
A
Quinn approaches graduation
Just a month from now in June, the oldest great grandchild, none other than Quinn Michael Mahony (Den and Adie’s grandson), will be graduating from high School. This momentous event will be profiled with pictures and hopefully some video provided by his proud father Dave. Until then here is a family photo taken on the family vacation in 2012 to Hawaii. To say the least, not a bad looking group!
Aidan, Quinn, Beautiful Patty, Dave, and Gavin
Frederick Hickey’s watch.
Below is a watch and note from my father to brother Sean at Christmas time several years ago. The watch belonged to Frederick Hickey who was my father’s grandfather and a great guy. Over the years my dad continued to distribute his possessions to family members which had great meaning to him and, now, to us as well.
School assignment by Quinn Mahony (Dave’s son) about his Oldest living Relative.
Quinn is the oldest of my parents great grandchildren and along with his brothers, Gavin and Aiden, were one of the great joys of their later years. The last paragraph is great stuff.
