THE MOONDOGS..YOU'RE NEVER TOO OLD TO ROCK!

2018 Three Mugs Pub Moondogs Schedule
For home games, we must relinquish the batting cages to the oppoments 1/2 hour before game time

Saturday,April 14    4:30P       Dodgers   @ Hackett Park    Won 11-2. Scott Pennypacker,
     Rich Wescoe, flawless at third, Dan Martyak, 2-3 w/ 3 rbi's.        
Sunday, April 22,    9:30AM    Reds         @ Riegelsville Boro Park
Sunday, April 29    4PM          Giants        @ Weona Park
Saturday May 5,    10AM        Bucks        @ Bundt Park
Sunday May 6,       1:30 PM   Kings         @ Hackett Park
Sunday, May 13,    9:30 AM ,  Patriots     @ Weona Park
Sunday, May 20,    1:30 PM,   Reds         @ Hackett Park
Saturday, June 2,   4:30 PM    Dodgers    @ Emmaus Community Park
Sunday, June 10,   1:30 PM    Patriots      @ Hackett Park (DH)
Sunday, June 17,   1:30PM,    Giants        @ Hackett Park
Sunday, June 24,   1:30PM ,   Kings         @ Hackett Park
Sunday, July 1,      12Noon,    Reds          @ Reigelsville Boro Park
Sunday, July 8,      9:30AM,    Giants        @ Hackett Park
Sunday, July 15,    1:30PM     Bucks         @ Hackett Park
Sunday, July 22,    9:30 AM,   Kings          @ South Side
Saturday, July 28,  4:30PM     Dodgers     @ Hackett Park
Saturday Aug 4 ,    10AM,       Bucks         @ Bundt Park

   In 1988, the Lehigh Valley Mens' Senior Baseball League was formed and I found myself playing for Dr. Charlie Brooks and the Orioles. It was a 6 team league and the first playoff game was between the Orioles and Mets.
   Starting pitcher for the Mets-Rick Keppel.
   The Orioles rubber-armed Ed Musselman pitched in every game including the playoff game. His sweeping curveball frustrated most hitters. His 3 year record with the Orioles was 24-7.
   Among team members were Jim Goodheart, Sean Carrigan, Keith Smith, & Ron Kinek.
   The following year I left the Orioles to start the Diamonds with Jim Trach, Frank Marakovits, Randy and Larry Fry, John Senay, and Del Buss. Our home field was Notre Dame High School.
   In 1996, a new team entered the league in Roseto, Pa. with Dan Wittaker, Ant Casciano, Brad Decker, Scott Werner, Randy Fleck, Gary Search, Ed Bartholomew, and Charlie Angellini.
   Don Jean,  Jim McRoberts were added a few years later.
   The name of that team...The Moondogs.
    Over the following years, Rich Wescoe, Bob Thomas, Sam Crivellaro, Tom George, Dan Waelchli, Bob Fatzinger, Bruce Alpaugh, and  Dennis Kinney,  became Moondogs.
   It has been and continues to be a great ride with many MSBL League and Playoff Championships and 6 MSBL Arizona World Championships.
   We have made it our cause to give back to the community by starting 50 Hours of Baseball and Diamond Dreams Charity Marathon-two organizations who deal with special needs children. In all but 1 year, Ed Bartholomew has chaired this event and under his leadership over $240,000 was raised for Camelot for Children and Dream Come True
   For the last 10 years, the Moondogs have taken an active role in supporting the Miracle League of Northampton County which provides special needs children a chance  to play baseball . The facility is next to the Chrin Community Center in Palmer Twsp.
   Needles to say, we are proud of our accomplishments both on and off the field. For those players past and present, this page is dedicated to you.
   We couldn't have done it without you.

A DOG'S LIFE
During the 1950's, Alan Freed became the first white DJ to play black rythym and blues to his many fans on WJM in Cleveland, Ohio.
  He called his young listeners Moondoggies and his show was the Moondog Show.
   He was the father of Rock and Roll and his start on the radio is why the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is in Cleveland.
   Eventually he moved to New York City at WINS where he hosted concerts at the famous Apollo Theater.
  Unfortunately, he was caught in the Payola scandal in the early 60's and faded from view.
  His contribution to the industry was unmatched as was his life style. He died from liver disease in 1965  at age 43.
So when people ask what is a Moondog, now they know.

---

We thank  team mate Randy Fleck
who found this historical poster
in the Cleveland Airport.

---

The Moondog
   He was what the 50's were all about. He found paradise by the dashboard lights and fathers warned their daughters about him.
   He taught Rockers how to rock.
   He was a great memory at a great time who's music will live forever.
   I thank good friend and the late Jeff Levan for bringing him to life.

---

   The Moondogs would like to thank    Nick Capobianco and
Chris Jones, the new owners of
 3 Mugs Pub for their continued support &
sponsorship.
  

   It looks like the Moondogs will be headed back to the Lehigh Valley MSBL for the 2018
season to participate in the new Over 55 Baseball League.. We will be joined by the New Jersey Bucks to create a 6  (maybe 7)  team league.
   We enjoyed our time in the Bux-Mont MSBL Over 45 League where we won the 2016 Playoff Champuionship but the competition became very strong and much younger  but time has come to seek other options.
   Nothing is guaranteed but we are looking forward to getting on the field and, hopefully, being as competitive as we once were.
   Stay tuned.
  

Opening Day, 2018, Tom Czysz and Scott Pennypacker. Moondogs 11 Dodgers 2

2016 Moondogs
Kevin Reid

 
 Lou Falco                                                                                Mike Zuk

Lou Falco

We did it!  2016 Bux-Mont League Playoff Champs. Pitching and timely hitting was the key. 2 out of 3 games against the Hilltown Diamondbacks
Won first game scoring 11 runs in the 9th inning 16-12. Lost 2nd game 6-5 and won the 3rd game 7-5. All great games against super competition. Trophy is ours for at least one year.

Palmer Community Days, 2016. Little rain on Sunday but we got through it. Good weekend to be a
Moondog and great weekend to be able to donate to the Miracle League of Northampton County.
Served Aw Shucks corn, fried shrimp, fried clams and about 2000 dozen steamed clams.
Our thanks goes to Eddie for his help. We couldn't have done it without him.
A special thanks to Sam's Club, Giant Food Market and Friendly Market for their help and generosity.

   On Sunday afternoon, the rain brought a chance for Mike Zuk to start a  pool to pick the exact time the rain would stop
   After a length debate, we couldn't determine the exact moment the rained stopped, we decide to buy a lottery ticket with the money. We probably won't win but who knows?

    Tony Spidale, now living in Florida, comes Norh every
                                              year to help with the event.
                                            That's Moondog dedication!

It's not baseball, but it does feature one of our own. Tom George, son Brett, and grandson Jaxon.

On March 6, 2016, the Moondogs met at Shruty's Pub to receive their  rings as they celebrated the Over 60 MSBL World Series Championship in Phoenix, 2015.
More photos on the "Arizona" page.

Team photo: Lexi Connolly Studios

In the publication of "Readers' Digest" a feature entitled "My Most Unforgetable Character" appears in every issue.
On March 1, 2015, our most unforgetable character - Gordon Santee passed away after a long illness.
He was our friend and scorekeeper. He was our teammate.
Because he always wore his trademark bowtie as a chemistry teacher at Easton High School, we wanted to honor him.
 Tuesday, March 3 was the night we said goodbye to Gordon and was also the night he toasted his friendship, his life, and his humor.
Rest easy my friend. May a chorus of angels bring you home.

 

Palmer Community Days 2015

1. 
   

Top left: Bruce Alpaugh, Bob Stocker, Dave Palumbo & Freddy Arce
Bottom left: Randy Fleck & Lou Falco, Tom George and Bill Goldsworth

Starting pitcher Scott Pennypacker
April 6, 2014.
Shortstop is Dave Morris.

---

OVER 65 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

   On January 1, 2014, the Moondogs were awarded
Championship rings to comemmorate their victory in the
MSBL World Series, Phoenix, Az in October of 2013.
   Front  from left: John Bristow, Dennis Ritter,
Tournament MVP Dennis Hock.
   Back: Turk Starniri, Manager Dick Prue

---

On October 28, 2012 at Tempe Diablo Stadium, former Major Leaguers gathered to play a Charity " 
Legends Game"  as part of the MSBL World Series.
   Pictured are Reggie Jackson, Rollie Fingers, and  former  San Diego Padre pitcher  and present
   Moondog, Dennis Kinney.


  
  

---

   By the way, if you happen to notice this logo and a sentence or two on this website that doesn't seem to fit, well these are the lyrics of some of my favorite songs. As a Moondog, they fit perfectly!

---

                                                                                                                                                      You see, you spend a good piece of your life
                                                                                                         gripping a baseball.
                                                                                                         And in the end, it was the other way around
                                                                                                         all the time.
                                                                                                         Jim Bouton
                                                                                                                                     

The Moondogs gratefully acknowledges Nancy Zuk Ellis, Kim Peterman, Donna Bartholomew, Adam Fleck, & Karen Prue, whose photographs and videos make this website come alive.

The Moondogs 2013, Bux-Mont MSBL

Clockwise: Dan Waelchli, Bob Fatzinger, Bob Stocker, Mike Zuk & Dave Palumbo, Ted Delong, Bruce Alpaugh   

Clockwise: Jim McRoberts, Bill Goldsworth, Matt Connolly, Sam Crivellaro, Tom George, Tony Spidale, Mike Zuk

Randy Fleck

---

Tony Franczak

---

Miracle League President Rick Agretto
receives a check for $1,100 from
Moondog Treasurer Tony Spidale.
 Team Manager Turk Starniri looks on.
Proceeds were part of the Moondogs
running the Seafood Stand during the
Palmer Community Days in August.
 Committee members: are Don Jean, Matt Connolly, Mike Zuk, Spidale and
Starniri .

---

                               Moondogs, 2011 Bux-Mont MSBL Over 45 League and Playoff Champions
Back : Gordon Santee, Mike Zuk, Ted DeLong, Dennis Kinney, Lou Falco, Dave Palumbo, Don Jean, Ed Emery, Ron Wentz,
              Turk Starniri Jr. Rick McGeehan
Front : Sam Crivellaro, Bruce Alpaugh, Jim McRoberts, Bob Thomas, Tom George, Brad Trump, Randy Fleck, Bob Stocker
          Tony Spidale, Ron Deibert (Missing from photo: Bill Goldsworth , Matt Connolly, & Rich Lewis)

---

Wanted..young man single and free. Experienced in love preferred, but we'll accept the young trainee.

---

The 2010 Moondogs, Over 55 Division
Phoenix, Az.
Front row from left: Sam Crivellaro, Turk Starniri Jr., Rich Wescoe, Gordon Santee, Jim McRoberts, Ron Deibert, Randy Fleck.
Back row from left: Rick McGeehan, Dick Prue, Rich Lewis, Dennis Kinney, Barry Peterman, Frank John, Dennis Ritter, Mike Heck, Don Jean, Dave Palumbo, Tom Czycz, Ted DeLong, Gene Lietgeb, Mike Zuk, Bob Zerfass.

---

Sweeten my coffee with a morning kiss. Soften my dreams with your sigh
Tell me you love me for a million years. If it don't work out, then you can
tell me goodbye.

---

  In 1962, I was playing for the Phillipsburg Collegians in the  Tri-County League and after a game a young child approached Carl Bethman, one of my older teammates .
    " Mister," he said,  " When I grow up, I want to be a baseball player ".
   Fifty two year old Bethman looked the kid in the eye and replied, "Sorry kid, you can't do both".

  Team Captain Mike Zuk pay a visit to pitcher Dave Cardell, Peoria, Az.

---

                     Phil & Chet Torcivia

Whether he was
watching son Phil or just hanging around, Chet
was one of the guys
and a loyal fan.

Chet Torcivia
1931-2010

---

Moondog pitcher, Brad Moharter, 1995-2004,
Most Outstanding Pitcher  1998 & 2003

---

                                                                                                                                                    As I go along my lonely way,
                                                                                                                                                       I visualize your face.
                                                                                                                                                    When  pass through my
                                                                                                                                                                                                          doorway,
                                                                                                                                                      what's left for me to face?

---

  Receiving 2009 Championship rings, from left: Don Jean, Turk Starniri Jr., Bob Thomas, Gordon Santee, Dennis Bishop, & Dennis Ritter.
   We worked extremely hard for this one!

---

If you really love love him and
there's nothing I can do.
Don't try to spare my feelings,
just tell me that we're through.

---

Barry & Kim Peterman

Dennis & Sue Kinney

Gordon and Monique by the pool at the LaQuinta.
 

---

                    Why does everyone sing "take me out to the ballgame" when they're already there?
                                                                                                                                          Larry Anderson

2006 MOONDOGS LEAGUE AND PLAYOFF CHAMPIONS
Front: Randy Fleck, Luis Rodriguez, Rick Kreig, Jim McRoberts, Scott Werner,Ron Wentz
Back: Gordon Santee, Don Jean, Ed Emery, Mike Zuk, Turk Starniri, Tony Falcinelli, Steve Brescia, Brad Moharter, Rick McGeehan

---

Moondogs, 2004 League Champions
From left: Brad Moharter, Turk Starniri Jr., Gordon Santee, Mike Zuk, Ed Bartholomew, Ray Ganser, Morgan Whitebread, Rich Wescoe, Rich Lewis,
Tom George, Mike Witkowski, Mike Heck, Rick Kreig, Tony Spidale, Bob Stocker, Ron Wentz

---

Am I building paper castles?
Paper castles in the sky.
Could you fall for me?
Could it really be or am I
aiming much too high?

---

                                                               Hardball Magazine, Fall, 2000

---

---

---

         The MSBL League
         Clambake, 2003.
         The Reservoir.         
            Hellertown, Pa

---

---

LVMSBL 2002 Final Standings

---

---

---

                                            LVMSBL 2001, Final Standings

---

                   LVMSBL 1999

---

How's you life been goin' on?  I got a wife and for years we've been goin' strong.
There's something I just got to say.  Sometimes we make love and I still see your face.

---

                     Moondogs vs Colorado Silver Bullets, Tuesday, August 12, 1997, Bicentennial Park, Allentown, Pa

---

Back row: Amy Cavanuagh, Jeff Litz, Bob Thomas, Tony Falcinelli, Gordon Santee, Turk Starniri jr., Rick Miller, Bob Zerfass,
              Randy Fleck, Ed Bartholomew
Front row: Tom George, Ken Wellington, Lou Hernandez, Gary Search, Trini Huertas, Mick Corpora,Joe Maguilio,

                                                                              LVMSBL Final Standings, 1996

                                             

---

  The Earl Filmore Trailer Park Moondogs receive their championship rings at a ceremony at the Widow Tavern, Stockertown, Pa.
  The Filmore Trailer Park is located just outside Phillipsburg, New Jersey, on Rt 57
and is between the toxic waste dump and the sewage plant.
  Downwind sites are still available.

---

  When he's keeping score, he wants no interruptions, needs time to concentrate and has the difficult task in judging whether a ball is a hit or error. In other words, Gordon Santee works very hard at his craft. He is very good at what he does and nothing is overlooked in his scorebook.
  So when he gets a chance to relax and relieve tension, he make a bee line to Hooters and the beautiful girls.
  You're livin' large now, Gordon.
 

---

Gordon Santee..A Teacher

  Born September 14, 1928 in Easton, Pa, Gordon Santee graduated from Easton High School in 1945 and took a B.S. in Chemistry from Lafayette College in 1951. He earned M.S. degrees in Polymer Chemistry and Science Education from the University of New York, Syracuse, then returned to Easton where he taught high school chemistry for 28 years.
  "I loved the kids but tolerated no nonsense in the classroom," says Gordon. "When I took early retirement last year, the kids gave me a standing ovation at Commencement. It was totally unexpected. I've never been so deeply moved."
   "Studies and work came first in my day," he recalls. "We were not wealthy. My Dad was a milkman. It was the depression and we were expected to do our part." Gordon drove the horse drawn milkwagon after school.
   "I loved sandlot ball in the summer though, and continued until I began dating my wife in 1953."
   Gordon and Molly raised 3 children: Susan, and twins Steven and Sharon.
   Molly was killed on September 7, 1986 in a car accident caused by a drunken driver.
   "Gordon and his wife were inseparable," recalls Ed Bartholomew, Chairman of 50 Hours of Baseball.
"You'd see them,chaperoning the school dance, working on some committee. When she died, he was lost. When he found MSBL, it was the best thing to happen to him."
   After reading a newspaper ad in the spring of 1988, Gordon called Joe and Rhonda Cassazza, who were organizing the league in the Lehigh Valley. At 59, he worried that he might be too old. :You'll never mistake me for an All-Star"  he told them.
   After watching a scrimmage with some high school players, he noticed that the older guys were dropping fly balls and kicking grounders. "I can do that," he said. At his first at bat he scratched a single and tripped over first. "I've never been particularly graceful'" he said.
   "There's a ballplayer in that 66 year old body," says team mate Turk Starniri Jr., a former Pro prospect himself.
   "Gordon faces each day with the enthusiasm of the Captain of the good ship Lollipop, he's the most positive person I know. But when the situation calls for it, he can be quite stern..just like a retired chemistry teacher"
   Because of his teaching duties, he didn't make an Arizona World Series but since his retirement, he hasn't missed. "It is great being part of their success," he says, "but if winning is your only goal, then you're priorities are wrong"
   Gordon was the MSBL League President from 1993 to 1998 and nothing got by him. His ethics served him well. Those men with whom he served will testify.
This abbreviated article appeared in Hardball Magazine in the Summer of 1994. You can access the full story online.
 

          Gary Search, 1996-2004

---

                           In the dugout, 2006

---

A good hitter, a good fielder
and a better person.
Dennis Bressler
1954-1998

---

LVMSBL 1993 Final Standings

---

                                                                                                                                                 No other dream could replace
                                                                                                                                                 that lonely and cold empty
                                                                                                                                                                                                  space    
                                                                                                                                                 and fill my heart with love.
                                                                                                                                                 For it's you I'm dreaming of.

---

The Moondogs, Arizona, 1993, from video

The Lehigh Valley Blasters, Arizona, 1994

Top Row: Rick Miller, Dave Povenski, Santos Martinez,
Ed Bartholomew, John Pena, Al Jones, Jack Seidwitz,
Tom Marrero, Tony Falcinelli, Bill Huston, Ken Gourley.
Bottom row: Bruce Henry, George Duffy, Jim Gerber,
Ron Greennsweig, John Martucci, Trini Huertas,
George Gibbs, Ed Musselman, Rich Rocovsky

---

                 Scoring

---

                                  Rick Kreig & Scott Werner

---

Chippendales relax
after a performance.

---

I want a Sunday kind of love.
A love to last past Saturday night.
I'd like to know it was more than
love at first sight.

---

Dan Waechli, Bob Fatzinger, Mike Witkowski, Neal Eichelberger, & Tom George,
Arizona, 1993

---

John Senay and
Ed Bartholomew.
How'd that rattlesnake
meat taste?
Arizona, 1996,
Rawhide Saloon

---

                John Senay

In this game, July 1993,
he played 9 positions in
9 innings.
He was the Moondogs
winning pitcher

---

The Odd Couple, Dave Toth & Tom George

---

                          
          Mick Corpora, Gary Prugh, & Terry Sutton
              50 Hours of Baseball, Bucky Boyle Park , 1990

        
                 
                 

---

                                   From the Lehigh Valley MSBL  1990 Season Yearbook