[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E684-E685]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO PASSAIC SEMI-PRO BASEBALL

                                 ______


                        HON. WILLIAM J. MARTINI

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 1, 1996

  Mr. MARTINI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor five members of the 
Passaic Semi-Pro Baseball League. Baseball is as American a tradition 
as Mom and apple pie. Since the middle of the last century, children 
and adults alike have played this wondrous game. Since the Great 
Depression, baseball has provided Americans with an outlet to step back 
from the world for a while. Although baseball at the highest level has 
been through ups and downs over the years, the game itself has remained 
pure for the millions of people, adults and children alike, who are 
players or fans. There is no question that baseball is truly America's 
pastime.
  We in the Eighth Congressional District of New Jersey have indeed 
been fortunate to have enjoyed a rich baseball tradition for decades, 
one that has been carried forth by a high level of competition which 
has come to characterize the Passaic County Semi-Pro League. On Friday, 
May 3, 1996, that tradition will again be celebrated with the 11th 
annual Passaic semi-pro baseball reunion dinner, at the Knights of 
Columbus Regina Mundi Hall No. 3969 in Clifton, NJ. Hosted by the 
organizing committee of Ted Lublanecki Sr., Ted Lublanecki Jr., Ben 
Lublanecki, Jean Lublanecki, and Mike Ivanish, I am sure this 
celebration will be a tremendous success befitting the honorees' 
accomplishments.
  This year's event is highlighted by the extraordinary careers of men 
who brought distinction not only to themselves but also to their teams 
and the Passaic Semi-Pro League. This year's honored group includes 
Jack Brady, Edward Janusz, Andy Romanko, Bob Varettoni, and Richard 
Zurichin. For the benefit of our colleagues, I would like to allude to 
some of the accomplishments of these remarkable gentlemen:
  Jack Brady began his baseball career by playing 4 years of varsity 
ball at Pope Pius High School. While still in high school, Jack also 
displayed his considerable skills playing for the Clifton American 
Legion Team Post 8 for 1 year and then playing on Pete Reno's Passaic 
Memorial Post 200 Legion Team for 2 years. Following high school, Jack 
played for a number of semi-pro teams. Possessing great all-around 
skills, Jack played both infield and outfield on such local teams as 
the All Passaics, the Drazins, the Red Socks, and the Wallington 
Hillsides. Jack's love for baseball eventually gave way to his 
educational needs, as he graduated from the Newark School of Fine and 
Industrial Art. He is currently operating his own industrial 
advertising agency.
  Edward Janusz learned to play this great game on the sandlots of 
Wallington. From there, Edward went on to play in the outfield for Lodi 
High School, where he became the leading home run hitter in Bergen 
County. For this accomplishment and his overall play, Edward was chosen 
for the first team All-State in Group III. He then moved on to Rutgers 
University, where he played 4 years of varsity ball and led the team in 
batting and most hits in 1951. Edward actually began his semi-pro 
career in 1944, playing for the Wallington Tigers, Wallington Coopers, 
and, like Jack Brady, the Wallington Hillsides. He signed on with the 
Passaic DeMuro Comets, one of the best teams in the area, in 1951 and 
led his team to the Passaic City League championship the following 
year.
  Unfortunately, a knee injury forced Edward to retire in 1955, but not 
before some memorable moments. In 1951, he hit a triple batting against 
New York Yankee Hall-of-Famer Whitey Ford while playing in Fort 
Monmouth, NJ. He also hit a grand slam home run during a college game 
in 1952. His love and knowledge of the game, as well as his generosity 
toward and love for children, led him to coach Little League teams in 
Wallington for 22 years, leading two of his teams to State 
championships in 1968 and 1971. He also became an umpire in 1947 and, 
displaying his dedication to the game of baseball and the larger 
community in Passaic County, worked fast pitch softball, Little League, 
Babe Ruth League, and semi-pro games for 46 years. He still lives with 
his wife Margaret in the house where he was born.
  Andy Romanko's passion for the game of baseball was lit the moment he 
was introduced to the game. Andy initially played for a variety of 
semi-pro teams in the area, where he developed into an outstanding 
pitcher. These teams included the Passaic Comets J.V., the Passaic 
Highlanders, and the Garfield Benignos. For the majority of his career, 
Andy played for the Passaic Demuro Comets, arguably the best team in 
the area. One of the best moments of Andy's career came while pitching 
for the powerful Comets when Andy pitched both games of a doubleheader 
and won them both. His proudest accomplishment as a baseball player is 
completing one year with 22 wins and only 2 losses. During this 
phenomenal year, in which his winning percentage was an astounding 
.909, Andy pitched a no-hitter while striking out 17 batters. Andy's 
love of the game led him to coach Little League for a number of years. 
Andy's passion for the game has never diminished, as he anxiously 
anticipates the Passaic semi-pro Baseball Reunion Dinners each year.
  Bob ``Chick'' Varettoni had already developed a nasty sinker ball by 
the time he hurled

[[Page E685]]

his first semi-pro game as a 13-year-old for the Wallington Panthers. 
For the next 4 years, Chick played varsity ball for Pope Pius XII High 
School. While still in school, Chick also starred in American Legion, 
first pitching for Memorial Post 200 and later for Rosol-Dul Post, 
pitching the former to the State semi-finals in 1948. Like Jack Brady, 
Chick's semi-pro career began with the Passaic Drazins in 1948 and 
continued with the Passaic Red Sox in 1949. Chick's career culminated 
with many stellar performances for the Passaic DeMuro Comets, one of 
the finest teams in the metro area.
  While pitching for this championship team, Chick twice faced New York 
Yankee Hall-of-Famer Whitey Ford of the Fort Monmouth Army team. His 
excellent performances in these high-profile games earned Chick an 
offer to join the Boston Braves farm system. He declined this offer, 
however, in favor of completing his studies at Seton Hall University. 
He was attending Seton Hall on a scholastic scholarship, from which he 
graduated magna cum laude. Following graduation, Chick entered the U.S. 
Navy, where he served as a communications officer aboard the USS 
Midway. After his release from the Navy, Chick entered upon a 34-year 
executive career with the New York Telephone Co. At the same time, he 
remained active in the Naval Reserve Intelligence Program, eventually 
rising to the rank of captain. He retired in 1990 and continues to live 
with his wife, Frances, in Totowa.
  Richard Zurichin was an exceptional all-around athlete, excelling in 
basketball, football, and baseball. Yet, his first love was baseball. 
Although he received the Most Valuable Player Award from the Passaic 
Time Out Club for his efforts as a quarterback, Dick went to Seton Hall 
University and starred for the baseball team. His 1.80 earned run 
average earned him the honor of being named to the Collegiate Baseball 
All Star Team. Playing the mighty Passaic DeMuro Comets, Dick's biggest 
thrill was playing the U.S. Army East District Champions at Fort Dix, 
NJ, where Dick pitched the DeMuro Comets to the upset victory. His 
lifetime record for the Comets was an impressive 27 wins and 3 losses.
  Mr. Speaker, each of these outstanding individuals, through their 
countless contributions not only to the game of baseball but also to 
the communities of Passaic County, have touched and enriched the lives 
of thousands of people in this area. For this, I ask that you and my 
colleagues join me in honoring these gentlemen during the 11th annual 
Passaic semi-pro baseball reunion.

                          ____________________