HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BOB! The 85th birthday celebration for Bob Rotondi was a great day for all

Malden icon of Babe Ruth Baseball feted on a milestone day with a full house recognizing him

By Steve Freker

It was a veritable “Who’s Who” of the city of Malden, from toddlers to octogenarians – like the Grand Poobah honoree himself. It was also the day to pay tribute to the walking, talking icon/encyclopedia of Malden Babe Ruth Baseball himself.

Many say it may have been the biggest birthday party ever held in the city: over 300 attendees to fete Bob Rotondi on his 85th birthday.

Malden mayors “galore” were in attendance, from present “city CEO” Gary Christenson, his predecessor former Mayor Richard Howard to former Mayor Ed Lucey as well. We know that the late Mayors Jim Conway and Walter Kelliher were looking in from above as well. That’s what kind of day it was and that’s what type of guy Bob Rotondi is around this community.

Bob has been involved with Baseball as a player, coach, manager and league administrator since the 1950s, about 70 years. He has been the only manager of the Malden Babe Ruth Knights for over 60 years.

It was not a day to go over records, wins, losses and championships, though Bob has plenty of those to his credit as well, but a day to say “hello” to Bob, wish him well and thank him for all his service to the Malden community. There was a cake – a great big one – there were gifts and acknowledgments. Mayor Christenson bestowed on Bob Rotondi the city’s highest honor: “The Key to the City.”

Bob worked many years as an Inspector for the Malden Housing Authority before his retirement in the early 2000s. Malden Department of Public Works Director Bobby Knox made Bob an honorary member of the DPW by giving him a hat, which Bob threw right on his head.

There were a lot of laughs, a lot of handshakes, many hugs and plenty of smiles. Yes, there were also some tears, but not of sadness, but of love for the honoree of the day.

Some of the laughs of the day came when Bob announced his “new career as a sit-down comedian,” as he took a seat in front of the large crowd and reeled off a string of hilarious one-liners, poking fun at himself and a number of other situations, as well as some folks near and dear to him. Priceless.

There were some raffles and other fundraisers that will benefit the organization so close to his heart, the Malden Babe Ruth League.

The event was planned and “choreographed” mainly by Malden Babe Ruth Field Director Deano Summers, who deserves a lot of praise for such a wonderful event.

“We expected a great crowd, but not the huge number of people that came to wish Bob a happy birthday,” Summers said. “It’s the happiest we have seen him in awhile, and that makes it all worth it.”