Tommy John: Patient Pitcher Patient Man

Everyone who reads this post knows who Tommy John was because of a surgery named after him. A tall pitcher, (6’3”), who couldn’t break a pane of glass, he won 288 games as a “crafty lefty.”  He was a 4-time all-star, finished second in the Cy Young voting twice and won 20 games three times. The HOF never called though teammates believed he belonged. On August 8 he wrote a farewell thank you letter to the Yankees organization and his fans and passed away a week later on August 15th at the age of 83. I, [Paul "O'Neill" Cincotta of the Flemington Neshanock], was one of those fans. And I want to share the story of my chance meeting with a patient Tommy John, my dad, and a McDonalds restaurant in Nyack NY.

Tommy John 

My interest in Tommy John was piqued not only because he signed with the Yankees but because of a 1979 documentary that was distributed among Christian churches discussing his faith. That provided me with a clue to his character. My memory again is foggy, but it would have been in the summer of 1980 or 1981 that my chance meeting happened. 

As I wrote in my story about memorable games, my father had an internal GPS of every McDonalds in a 100-mile radius of our home in Tuckerton NJ and I guess Nyack, NY in Rockland County qualified. While my father and I received our order and sat down, I noticed a man waiting for his order who I thought resembled Tommy John. My father took a glance but didn’t agree. But as teenagers often do, I nagged my father a few more times before he said, “well why don’t you go up to him and ask.”  This I did politely asking, “Excuse me, but are you, Tommy John?”  When the answer came back yes, I was frozen in time. All I could do was put out my hand and shake his. No autograph, no other words, just a handshake and back to my seat to tell my father who was surprised that I was correct. 

We ate our meal, but Tommy John was still at the counter patiently awaiting his order. I left saying something like “keep up the great pitching job” and we went out the door. I remember my father and I discussing how it came about to meet him only because his order took so long. I guess he was a patient man just like his pitching style to get batters out who were impatient to wait on his slow breaking pitch

My father, who passed away in 2010, would have turned 100 on July 28, 2026. My siblings and I planned a dinner with his favorite foods to be celebrated on August 17. Little did I know that Tommy John was in poor health when this dinner was planned. But reminiscing about my father, and with Tommy John’s passing, I remembered the connection of how a teenager, my dad and a McDonalds brought back an experience I will never forget. To this day he is one of only two sports figures I have ever “run into.”  (the other being Carl Yastrzemski). Somehow baseball always has a great ending when it involves a dad, his son, a baseball player, and a McDonalds. Thanks Dad.

Neshanock "At the Bat"

While the Neshanock haven't had a plethora of players on the field this season, we continue to enjoy plenty of depth at the photographer's position.  Official blog photographer, Mark "Gaslight" Granieri ably handles most games and when he's not available, others like Rene "Mango" Marrero fill in admirably.  And on special occasions, professional photographer and Neshanock family member, Lauren Marchese Nunn brings her unique touch to our games.  We were both fortunate and glad to have Lauren with us two weeks ago in Washington.

While no one on the Neshanock pretends to be the "Mighty Casey," every Flemington player has his moments "at the bat."

Chris "Sideshow" Nunn typically strikes first so the Neshanock can take full advantage of his speed and base running acumen

Don "Splinter" Becker has been a valuable addition to the Neshanock especially since he's had an injury free season

Mark "Gaslight" Granieri finds himself on the other end of the camera

Jim "Jersey" Nunn brings 25 years of vintage baseball experience to the striker's line, much of it under the watchful eyes of Sam "It ain't nothing till I say" Bernstein

Jeff "Duke" Schneider attempts one of his classic fair/foul hits

Neshanock field captain Chris "Lowball" Lowry appears to be following Duke's example

The members of the Warren Hills High School team had the rare opportunity to play 1864 baseball on their community's historic field.  A two-part history lesson we hope they enjoyed and will remember 

There used to be a ballpark somewhere here

After a week off, seven Neshanock players traveled to Washington (Warren County), New Jersey to take on the Warren Hills High School team.  Since Abner Doubleday decreed a minimum of nine players, Flemington was once again shorthanded.  Fortunately, through the kindness of strangers, we were able to fill out our lineup.  Thanks to Dan and Mike for helping us out.  We were also pleased to see local resident and longtime Neshanock Gregg "Burner" Wiseburn who had just been cleared for running after what seems like a record stay on the injured list.  Not only was it good to see "Burner," he caught the last two innings, the start, we hope, of a return to the Flemington lineup.

Picture of an earlier Washington ballpark at a different location - newspaper and date unknown

Thanks to the aged scorekeeper's call of heads, Flemington won the coin toss and chose to strike second.  Warren Hills tallied once in the top of the first and added five more runs over the next five innings.  Heading to the bottom of the fifth, the Neshanock trailed 6-1, but a three-run rally closed the margin to just two runs.  That, however, was the extent of Flemington's offense and even though they already had enough runs, Warren Hills tallied seven more times for a comfortable 13-4 win.

Historic grandstand at Washington Boro - All pictures by Mark Granieri

Close quarters in the Neshanock dugout - left to right - the aged score keeper, Jeff "Duke" Schneider, Don "Splinter" Becker, Chris "Sideshow" Nunn and Jim "Jersey" Nunn

Local resident, Mark "Gaslight" Granieri led Flemington with three hits and came within inches of recording a clear score.  Chris "Sideshow" Nunn and Don "Splinter" Becker had two hits each while playing solid outfield defense.  Jeff "Duke" Schneider, the other member of the outfield had one hit plus a base on balls.  Walks as a rule don't merit much notice, but in this case, there was a runner on third thereby adding one tally to the Flemington total.  Had there been RBI's in 1864, "Duke" would have gotten one, but they didn't so neither did he."Duke" also made a nice rolling catch in the outfield.  He enjoyed it so much he took another tumble, this time well after grabbing another batted ball on the bound thereby earning a putout, but no style points. 

As always, Bobby "Melky" Ritter's follow through is flawless

Before Flemington's first visit to Washington in 2023, I read in the book "Covered Wooden Grandstands" that Ty Cobb played a game there in 1911.  Further research led to a blog post about that game where a local pitcher won a new hat and a lifetime of bragging rights for striking out Cobb who hit .419 that year.  At the time "Gaslight" and I weren't sure whether that game was played at the same site as the current field with its historic grandstand.  Recently, the picture at the beginning of this post appeared on a Washington Facebook page without, unfortunately, listing the source.  Given, however, the mention of 1911 and the number of fans in the picture it's possible the picture was taken at that game. It could, in fact, be a picture of the Georgia Peach himself at bat.  Time for some more research - stay tuned!

An Old/New Tradition

About four years ago, the Lambertville  Historical Society invited the Neshanock to play a match in this historically rich Delaware River community.  Such invitations are fairly common, but some are more attractive than others.  And few are more attractive than Lambertville for reasons both historical and contemporary.  When the original Neshanock club took the field in 1866, their first rivals, so to speak, were the Logan Club of Lambertville.  "So to speak" because it's not much of a rivalry where one team, the Neshanock, in this case, lose by scores of 77-25 and 71-47.  While no one on the Flemington club wanted to repeat those scores, recreating the original rivalry had plenty of appeal.

Constantly striving for historical accuracy, the Neshanock have added an 1864 coin for the pre-game coin toss.  Coin and all pictures courtesy of Mark Granieri

The historical appeal also had a modern connection.  Two members of the Neshanock, Scott "Snuffy" Hengst and Sam "Ewing" Ricco wanted to revive the original Logan club.  Since they were just getting started in 2023, the Neshanock recreated a Neshanock-Logan match with Flemington players. The event took a more regular form a year later when "Snuffy" and "Ewing" got the Logan Club on the field.  Saturday marked the third annual matchup between the two clubs; a new tradition modeled on an old one.  The Neshanock are especially grateful to the Lambertville Historical Society for the original invitation and their ongoing support.  Preserving and interpreting local history is important work which this organization does extremely well.

Always good to see Brad "Brooklyn" Shaw founder of the Neshanock and advisor to the Logan Club.  Left to right, Chris "Lowball" Lowry, Sam "Ewing" Ricco, "Brooklyn" and Scott "Snuffy" Hengst

Both teams were coming off solid performances at the Gettysburg Festival with Flemington matching its best record ever. The Logan Club, playing in the event for the first time, won twice and more than held their own against the Atlantic and Providence clubs, two of the best vintage teams in the county.  The Lambertville team's success on one of vintage baseball's biggest stages carried over on Saturday as the local team jumped off to a 5-1 lead after just one inning.  Flemington managed to cut the difference to 6-4 after five innings, but the Logan Club sealed their win with a four run seventh inning and a 10-4 win.  The Neshanock's offense was limited with only Bobby "Melky" Ritter and Ken "Tumbles" Mandel contributing two hits.  The game also marked "Tumbles" return from the injured list and, as usual, the Neshanock are a different team with him in the lineup.

Game Action 

After a brief break, play resumed in the second of two seven inning games.  This time the Neshanock got off to the quick start building a 9-0 lead as the game went to the bottom of the fourth.  Not in the least discouraged by the deficit, the Lambertville team tallied 11 times over the next three innings to lead 11-9 after six innings.  Flemington scored once in the top of the seventh, but there was no repeat of the late inning Gettysburg magic.  Don "Splinter" Becker led the Neshanock's attack with three hits.  Adding two apiece were Thomas "Hawk" Prioli, Rene "Mango" Marrero, Joe "Dispatch" Prioli and Paul "O'Neill" Cincotta.  There was an usual defensive sequence in the first when Flemington retired two Logan runners trying to score from third. By winning both matches, the Logan Club tied the recreated rivalry at 3-3.  Little could be more fitting for an old/new tradition

Seen at Gettysburg

Considering Rene "Mango" Marrero played a major part in the Neshanock's three wins last weekend at Gettysburg, it's hard to believe he had time for anything else.  But in those brief moments when he wasn't hitting or fielding, "Mango" took some pictures that capture different aspects of the Gettysburg experience. What follows is a sample of the many moments that make the event so special.

While the fields at Gettysburg are far from level, this is ridiculous.  Ernie "Shredder" Albanesius shows how it's done

Only the ball is in motion as Jim "Jersey" Nunn waits at the striker's line while the Flower City defense awaits his swing

"Jersey" swings and suddenly everyone is in motion

When the Neshanock needed help, their friends were there including Larry "Chops" Etgen of the Logan Club of Lambertville

And Craig Combs of the Elizabeth Resolutes who looks poised to attempt a fair/foul

Jason "Professor" Blazakis joined us on Sunday

Danny "Lefty" Gallagher at the striker's line amidst threatening clouds - fortunately the threats remained just that

Matt "Fly" Nunn before

And after, get well soon

As always, the Neshanock paid close attention to what's happening on the field

Gettysburg 2026

To say "the outlook wasn't brilliant" for the Neshanock nine late last Saturday afternoon is putting it mildly.  After a decisive loss in the opening game of the 2026 Gettysburg National Nineteenth Century Base Ball Festival, Flemington trailed 5-3 in the second game with only one last chance at the striker's line.  But when there's a chance, there's hope and, as we shall see, this past weekend hopes became reality.  Founded and hosted in a very manly fashion by the Elkton Eclipse Club, the Gettysburg Festival has come a long way from a small six team event back in 2010.  Not only were the Neshanock present at the creation, but Flemington has participated every year since.  Special thanks to the Elkton Club and all the others who make the Gettysburg Festival a truly splendiferous event every year. 

Friendly competition - the spirit of the Gettysburg Festival - Cole "King" Pellman of the Keystone Club chats with Rene "Mango" Marrero during a break in the action.  

All photos by Courey Dutton - http://www.coureyduttonimagery.com/

Saturday's first opponent was the Flower City Club of Rochester, a very strong team the Neshanock has played previously at the National Silver Ball Tournament.  Flower City got off to a quick start, scoring twice in each of the first three innings.  Flemington managed to close to within 6-3 going to the bottom of the fourth, but the Rochester club broke the game open with six tallies in the fifth and four in the sixth.  The end result was a dominant 22-6 win for Flower City.  Danny "Lefty" Gallagher had two hits for the Neshanock with six others adding one apiece.  Special thanks to Craig Combs, captain of the Elizabeth Resolutes, and Larry "Chops" Etgen of the Logan Club for helping fill out the Neshanock lineup.

Left to right - Bobby "Melky" Ritter, Danny "Lefty" Gallagher and Tom "Thumbs" Hoepfner.  Standing Jason "Professor" Blazakis of the Logan Club of Lambertville.  "Lefty" and "Thumbs" are trying (in vain) to credit someone with an RBI

Chris "Sideshow" Nunn

In Saturday's second contest, the Neshanock took on the Allegheny Ironsides.  The Ironsides took an early 4-1 lead and although Flemington kept it close, the Pennsylvania club led 5-3 going to the bottom of the ninth.  Unlike Casey and the Mudville Nine however, the Neshanock weren't finished.  Chris "Lowball" Lowry and Jeff "Duke" Schnieder singled to put the tying runs on bases.  One batter later, "Lefty's" double tied the match 5-5, but not for long.  Rene "Mango" Marrero's hit sent "Lefty" across the plate with the winning tally.  Fittingly, "Lowball" and "Duke" led the Neshanock attack with three hits while "Lefty" and Craig had two apiece.  Bobby "Melky" Ritter handled the pitching, leading a defense that limited the opposition to just five runs.  The one negative note was losing Matt "Fly" Nunn to a wrist injury - we wish him a speedy recovery.

Jeff "Duke" Schneider getting ready to set the stage for one of "Mango's" game winning hits

"Mango" delivers

Sunday morning saw Flemington back on the field for a match with the Lewes Club of Delaware.  Once again, the Neshanock fell behind early, rallied to keep it close, but trailed by one run after eight innings.  Having enjoyed one ninth inning rally, the Neshanock decided to try it again. "Lowball" and "Duke" singled and Chris "Sideshow" Nunn's single sent "Lowball" across the plate with the tying run.  Just like on Saturday, "Mango" came to the line with the go-ahead run-on base.  And once again, he didn't disappoint putting Flemington ahead 9-8.  Having given his team the lead, "Mango" had no intention of giving it back and made three "amazing" plays at third to close out a 10-8 win.  "Mango" and Tom "Thumbs" Hoepfner led the Neshanock attack with five hits each, followed by "Lefty" with three.  One of "Lefty's" hits was a home run.  "Sideshow" and Jim "Jersey" Nunn joined "Lowball" and "Duke" in the two-hit club.

Chris "Lowball" Lowry 

"Melky" about to induce an unsuspecting opposition striker to foul out at a crucial moment.

Playing from behind had been the norm thus far and it seemed like it would continue when the Keystone Club of Harrisburg took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first of the final game.  However, Flemington tied the game in the bottom of the inning on "Lefty's" home run and never trailed again.  The Pennsylvania team tied the game at 3-3, but Neshanock went ahead 7-3 after six innings and then broke the game open with an 8 run eighth to close out the weekend with a 15-4 win.  "Duke" had another strong game at the striker's line with four hits, followed by "Lefty," "Mango," "Sideshow" and the "Professor" with three apiece.  "Shredder" and "Lowball" added two each.  "Sideshow" and "Thumbs" supported "Melky's" pitching with some solid defensive plays.  

A mighty swing by Ernie "Shredder" Albanesius

Jersey "Jim" Nunn pensively prepares for the next pitch

Only three outs away from being 0-2, Flemington made a remarkable comeback to win three games, matching the Neshanock's highest win total ever at the festival.  As always, it was a splendiferous weekend, and the Flemington club appreciates everything the Elkton Club and others do to make the event happen.  Special thanks to Jason Blazakis, Larry Etgen and Craig Combs for playing for the Neshanock.  And we're also very grateful to Courey Dutton for the insanely cool pictures.  We're already looking forward to 2027.

"No Balls"

Yesterday, just a week after the 250th anniversary of July 4, 1776, the Neshanock resumed our Semiquincentennial tour of New Jersey revolutionary war sites.  It would have been hard to find a more appropriate host than the Bergen County Historical Society which operates Historic New Bridge Landing.  Located on the Hackensack River where the Continental Army crossed on the way to their victory at Trenton, New Bridge Landing preserves "a compelling and scenic fragment" of New Jersey's Dutch countryside. 

Courier-Journal (Louisville) - May 24, 1895

Until this year, the game was played at the site itself which presented no shortage of ground rule challenges.  This time, however, the game was moved to a local park, but for a very good reason.  The BCHS is building a Visitors Center, an initiative well worth supporting. Unfortunately, Saturday was one of those games that happens every so often with very low player participation.  Fortunately, Bob "Riverboat" Smith, captain of the local Enterprise Club and sometime "Neshanock" was able to find enough volunteers to fill out the Flemington lineup.  The Enterprise Club is tough to beat under normal conditions and in this less than desirable situation, it's no surprise local team won both games by scores of 11-7 and 15-3.  The important thing though is that the Neshanock, with help, was able to honor the commitment.

Sam Bernstein - master of all he surveys - all pictures by Jeff Schneider

Every venue has its own memories, and New Bridge Landing is no exception.  For this aged scorekeeper, I'll never forget a game a few years ago that almost became my most embarrassing vintage baseball moment.  As usual I arrived early, only to realize I'd forgotten the game balls. Hard to play a baseball game of any era without a game ball.  Fortunately, New Bridge Landing, as a gesture of hospitality, provided the game balls so I was spared having to figure out how to retrieve the ones I'd forgotten.   I was reminded of this a few weeks ago when Sam Bernstein told me about an 1895 game between Louisville (then a National League team) and the Brooklyn club.

Not quite the pitch that Jim "Jersey" Nunn expected

At the time, game balls were used very differently from today where the ball is replaced seemingly at will, with or without a reason.  In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the game ball was used until it was lost which wasn't that often because fans weren't permitted to keep foul balls.  Typically, about a dozen balls were sufficient for a game.  However, when the Brooklyn team turned up for the May 23, 1895, game at Louisville, the home team only had five new balls.  Supposedly ownership had decided that if too many balls were left lying around the players would use them so "extra" balls were kept off site. 

Chris "Lowball" Lowry at the striker's line

Under the custom of the day, two of the balls were given to the Brooklyn club for pre-game practice with the understanding that if more balls were needed, the game would be delayed until they were obtained.  In the meantime, a boy was dispatched by trolly car to obtain some new balls.  Predictably, the remaining game balls were lost fairly quickly.  Apparently, "forgetting," the prior agreement, the Brooklyn club demanded the game proceed.  An argument ensued, and the umpire forfeited the game to Brooklyn 9-0 based on the rule that a team cannot inappropriately delay the game.  Also predictably, just after the umpire announced the forfeit, the boy, who had been delayed because the trolly went off the tracks, arrived.  As the Louisville paper noted (quoting from Tennyson's "The Charge of the Light Brigade") "Someone had blundered."  Embarrassing to say the least - something I was fortunately spared for my own blunder.