In Cambridge, the Oldtime Game Baseball Game at St.
Peter’s Field is always looked at with great enthusiasm and anticipation. What began simply a charity event designed to distract fans from Major League Baseball’s labor dispute in 1994 has truly grown into a marquee event, attracting a large crowd of celebrities, baseball enthusiasts, and some of the best talent the area has to offer. “This game was supposed to be a one-time deal,” said Boston Herald writer Steve Buckley, who first suggested the idea for a game in 1994 while working at Sportsradio 850 WEEI. “But it sort of grew into a city event. The city takes it very seriously, and this event would not be possible without the city’s help.” Still, the event remains a charity event above all. This year, proceeds from the event went to Hospitality Homes, a Boston-based charity which provides no-cost housing for families seeking medical care within the Boston area, as well as C2 Mission, which benefits children and families affected by cystic fibrosis and cerebral palsy. Buckley also wanted to thank Rick Stoddard, who has provided the uniforms for the game since 1998, and Dave Liebovitz, of Royal White Laundry, who cleans the uniforms every year. Buckley called Liebovitz, “the keeper of the uniforms.” The first pitch of the game was thrown out by Sara Bejoian, the widow of James Bejoian, whose company, Alba Press, has printed the game’s program for the entire sixteen years it has existed. The late Bejoian was a dedicated volunteer to the event, selling raffle tickets, working the concession stands, and helping out in any way that he could. A banner now hangs in left field during the game to honor his contributions to the game. Johnny Pesky, the longtime Boston Red Sox, was manager of Team Alba Press. Former Chicago Cub and East Boston native Lennie Merullo was his counterpart for Team Abbot Financial. The event also served as a celebration of Pesky’s ninetieth birthday. He will turn ninety in September. Celebrity players included NESN SportsDesk anchor Cole Wright, Larry Ridley of Channel-7 News, and retired Red Sox Lou Merloni.
City Councilor Ken Reeves, School Committee members Fred Fantini and Marc McGovern were all in attendance (hey, it is an election year after all), along with State Representative Alice Wolf, Several prominent members of the media were also in attendance, including Boston Globe writer Dan Shaughnessy, who was watching his son Sam play in the game for the seventh time, and Sean McAdam of The Boston Herald..