Malden Baseball LEGACY Hall of Fame announced Inaugural 2024 Inductees for March 7 banquet

Bob Rotondi is Legacy Selection; other inductees Shawn Brickman, Joe Caraco Sr. , Kenny Mazonson, Deano Summers, Sal Turilli, Pearl & Perry Verge Sr.

Advocate Staff Report

Some of the most well-known and appreciated contributors to the sport of Baseball in the city of Malden will soon get their due honors. The Inaugural Class of the new Malden Baseball LEGACY Hall of Fame is being announced today for the first time in the Malden Advocate.

All those who want to share in honoring these inaugural honorees are welcome and invited to attend the First Annual Malden Baseball LEGACY Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony on Thursday, March 7 at the Malden Moose Hall at 562 Broadway, Malden. There will be a social reception from 6:00-6:45 p.m., a photo session with inductees and their families from 6:45-7:00, with an Italian-themed buffet dinner at 7:00 p.m. sharp.

The Malden Baseball LEGACY Hall of Fame’s mission is simple: “To honor those whose lives and meaningful contributions have directly and positively impacted Baseball in the city of Malden through the years.” In the letter to the inductees from the MBL Hall of Fame, it explains: “Baseball has been an integral part of the history of the city of Malden and indeed, it is a part of the very fabric of this community. The institutions that have been formed, then grown and thrived surrounding the sport of Baseball in our city have helped thousands of individuals and families in the city of Malden create so many wonderful and lasting relationships, friendships and memories.

“Certainly, your contributions through the years to Baseball in the city of Malden deserve special recognition and acknowledgement among those whose contributions have been exemplary and particularly noteworthy.”

This year’s inductees to be honored on March 7 are the following:

—Bob Rotondi, Legacy Inductee

—Shawn Brickman, former longtime Malden High Varsity Baseball Head Coach, Northeastern University Division 1 Baseball record-holder, Malden High School, Malden Babe Ruth League (BRL) and Malden Little League standout

—Joe Caraco Sr., former longtime Malden BRL Manager, Board Member and Officer

—Kenny Mazonson, present 50-year-plus Malden Little League and Malden Youth Baseball Manager, League Officer and Board Member, former Malden BRL coach and former Malden Senior BRL Manager

—Deano Summers, present Malden BRL Field Director (nearly 20 years), present Malden BRL Manager (Colonels, nearly 30 years), former Malden Senior BRL Manager (Marlins), former Malden High School Assistant Baseball Coach

—Sal Turilli (posthumously), former longtime Malden BRL (Stars) and Malden Little League (Tornadoes) manager, coached many, many future high school stars in Malden

—Pearl and Perry Verge Sr., one of the early “First Lady of Malden Babe Ruth” contributors and her husband, who was a former longtime Malden BRL Manager and League Officer; Pearl Verge also a former Malden BRL Officer and Fundraising Assistant to League Treasurer

The Legacy Inductee for 2024 is the individual whose contribution to the sport of baseball in Malden has been both very impactful and long-lasting. The baseball legacy of Bob Rotondi extends back to the 1950s, when he began his coaching career as manager of the Little League Rifles. He then continued in the managerial ranks with the Malden BRL for 13-15 year olds in 1960 and continued to the present day, where he still serves as manager of the Malden BRL Knights.

He has been called “Mr. Baseball” in Malden by Advocate columnist Peter Levine and “All Things Baseball in Malden” by Malden’s #1 baseball fan, Mayor Gary Christenson.

“It should be a great night for everyone and we are expecting a great turnout,” said Malden Baseball LEGACY Hall of Fame representative and one of the founders Bob McVicar, who has long been active in Malden Baseball on many levels, particularly in fundraising for Malden Babe Ruth, Malden High School Baseball and Malden Youth Baseball.

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Tickets for the First Annual Malden Baseball LEGACY Hall of Fame are $35.00 per person and $280.00 for a table of eight. All tickets must be purchased in advance, with none sold at the door. Payment may be made through credit card, Venmo or Cash App. Arrangements can be made for check payment through reservations as well.

Please email steve.freker@gmail.com for ticket information and any other questions.