[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.
____________________