~ Malden Musings ~

“We All Agreed…”

By Peter Levine

Day-tripping to NYC on a rare, golden mid-June day with two Malden legends — former MHS Principal and girls’ hoops oracle Dana Brown, and Rec Director/father of Dorothy Levine, Joe. If Hank Williams was right, and some things are worth more than silver and gold, then this was one of ’em.

By the time we hit Westerly, Rhode Island, we’d already solved most of Malden’s problems — or at least made a solid dent. Ideas flowed, laughter was plenty and eventually the silliness kicked in — the kind you only get with old friends who speak fluent Malden. Then, rolling into Manhattan, the sun blazing, we made a beeline for Katz’s Deli, where we inhaled heroic piles of pastrami and corned beef and washed it all down with Dr. Brown’s black cherry soda. A sacred ritual. By day’s end, all three of us agreed: Times like these are good for what ails ya. In the meantime…

• We all agreed that John Stanasek would have been our first pick when starting a basketball, baseball, hockey or football team in our early youth (throwing in soccer, darts, volleyball a street brawl and bocce also).
• We all agreed that the Hatch family, with their deep roots firmly planted in Malden soil, have made significant contributions to Maldonia for the past 100 years or so.
• We all agreed that politics/politicians in Malden 2025 ain’t politics/politicians in Malden 1975. The good, the bad and the ugly; completely different animals so to speak.
• We all agreed that we hold Jenelle DeVits in high regard.
• We all agreed that Pete “Panama” Carroll, Harvey Nadler, Johnny “Big John” Marsinelli, Ed Markey, Diego Barricelli, Terry Mathews, Ed Lucey, Butch Russell, Buddy Arthur and Al Barriss are invaluable members of our Malden community, each seamlessly connecting us with our storied past, all the while with feet firmly planted in 2025 Malden.
• We all agreed that we are happy for Greg Phaneuf (son of the late Malden Super. of Schools Paul) on the recent nuptials of his beautiful daughter Mackenzie.
• We all agreed that although today’s well-informed youth may have the world at their fingertips, at times, common sense alludes them.
• We all agreed we are excited for Kevin Exilhomme, who will be playing football and learning at a college to be determined next year (stay tuned for details).
• We all agreed that a pastrami on seedless rye bread with a healthy smear of spicy deli mustard at Katz’s Deli on E Houston Street in NYC on an 80-degree early summer day is the closest you can get to heaven without actually exiting this mortal coil.
• We all agreed that Paul (not the insurance agent) Murphy may have been the most underrated athlete in our lifetime.
• Although, and with all due respect, Paul (the insurance agent) Murphy (628 Broadway, btw) wasn’t a bad little athlete growing up also.
• PM the insurance CEO trivia: He was teammates on the Larry & Kevin Collins coached, championship-winning Colts in the BRL with Dennis Gallagher, Mike Silva, Joe DiBenedetto, Tommy Cocuzzo, Pat Donahue, Mike Mahoney, Mike Kotowski & Sean Lucey.
• We all agreed that there should be one of those docudramas on the uber inspiring life of the late Willie Barron.
• We all agreed that if there was a rebound to be had, Mark Burns had it.
• We all agreed that although my search for the last bottle of Ballantine Ale on Manhattan Island (32 bodegas, Dana?) may have been less than successful — the glorious NYC sunshine and outstanding “sights” made it all worthwhile.
• We all agreed that young Billy Spadafora is having a breakout season with expectations for Billy & Donna’s young’un to immediately break into the starting lineup by midsummer. Keep up the great work, Billy.
• We all agreed that the Malden church softball league from back in the day was as competitive as any softball league ever and that Tommy Cunha, Jimmy Kelly, and Richie “Hard Rock” Hannon were very, very tough outs.
• Joe and I agreed that Dana Brown brings so much good to the Maldonia table in 2025. At age (mumble, mumble) still throwing high heat his wisdom, lived experience and love for his Maldonia roots make us all better in so many ways. As Paul Harvey used to say, “and now you know…the rest of the story.” Another insider joke that I freely share with you, Maldonia.
• We all agreed that Donnie Roach (MHS 1976) and Shawn Brickman (MHS 1977) were two very special athletes back in the 1970s (and beyond). Multi-sport stars, both were tough, talented and focused with that notable intangible that separates them from us. Both had that Cedric Maxwell “climb on my back, boys and I’ll get us there” attitude. Neither a one-trick pony — their ability to roll with the sports seasons may never be matched again in 02148.
• As we cruised late night into South Station, we also wholeheartedly agreed that we would not trade our Malden roots for all the gold in Fort Knox (if there is even any gold in FK — insert smiley face!).

Dana — he of the very large brain — Brown speaketh of his journey to an island, far from the friendly shores of the Malden River. Dana’s take on our sojourn to the “Naked City” aka The Big Apple — these are a few of his very good words:

• Last week we traveled by personal car, train, on foot, by taxi and by Uber. We couldn’t find three bikes!
• We discussed the upcoming milestone birthday of Joe “will he have a celebratory Chillout or not” Levine.
• There are many underrated and sometimes overlooked athletes in the MHS annals. Perhaps a column on the forgotten greatness of some? Send names our way.
• Joe reminded us that I’m sometimes a “trigger” for Peter, LOL.
• Regarding Peter’s recent rec basketball column, David Knight of Somerville was an inadvertent “out of town” omission.
• We discovered that the wood water towers on the top of many old NY buildings help bring water pressure to the top floors in each building.
• You can spend anywhere from $6-$18 on an assortment of water, juice, and coffee for the three of us. It pays to shop around.
• June is men’s health awareness month!
• Art Rooney and Andy Rooney are in fact different people (another inside joke).
• A highlight for the former principal was getting a call and then text from a parent of a 9th grader asking to dismiss her daughter for a doctor’s appointment. Mr. Brown deftly handed it over to the proper Malden High staff and had no idea who the parent and child are…the train ride continued.
• We had the pleasure of riding the train with a gold medal winner in the National Scholastic Art competition. She and her mom were on their way to Carnegie Hall for the ceremony. The piece of artwork was spectacular.
• We surmised some guest speakers charge more than others – Bigelow v Herren (yet another inside joke – Maldonia – but I would be happy to elucidate for you next time we meet)!
• The City of Malden has been good to us, and we to them.

It is said in “Malden Musings”…

• Dedicated to making the highways and byways safe and accessible for the men, women and children of Malden, I am declaring July “Be Kind to Your Friendly Neighborhood Parking Control Officer Month” as a tribute to these hard-working City of Malden employees. This week’s spotlight goes to PCO newbie Ryan McMahon. Ryan ain’t a Malden guy but is quickly making friends throughout the city. The Italian American Citizen’s Club on Pearl Street is so enamored by his work ethic that they are contemplating making him an honorary member (inside joke, yet again). Keep up the great work, Ryan, and welcome to Malden!
• In the “they don’t write songs like they used to” department, I present to you John Prine’s “Souvenirs” from his 1972 release, “Diamonds in the Rough.” Listen to it, you’ll like it.
• Steve “Teebo” Thibeault. A sweetheart of a man. May his memory be a blessing.
• Speaking of Maldonia politics, did you ever see a spectacle such as the one that has been unfolding over the past two weeks or so in the City Council Chambers?! As the immortal Dudley Dickerson once said, “This house has sure gone crazy!”
• Or “oy vey,” as my pal Jeff Donahue would say! BTW, nice to see you throw your hat back in the ring, Mr. Donahue!
• Edgeworth lost yet another legend with the passing of “The Golden Toe,” Paul DeMayo. Laurence Binyon wrote “They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.” Rest in peace, Mr. DeMayo.
• If you look real close next time you watch Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn’s 1992 movie, “Housesitter,” you will catch a glimpse of former City of Malden Retirement Director Kevin “The Elbow” Morrison as he has his 15 minutes of fame casually and nonchalantly photobombing a scene. True story. He ain’t no retired Malden Police Chief Kevin Molis when it comes to movie cameos, but he is worth mentioning.
• Timmy Buckley (MHS 1977)! Joe and I walked Revere Beach last week and you were nowhere to be found. Your Gang of Four (pun intended) assured us you were “busy” that morning. Because we remember you as one of the hardest working gym rats and one of the most underrated athletes to ever roam 02148, we did not question — LOL. All the best, Timmy! See you down the road a piece.
• I take no joy in the removal of the President of the Malden City Council, but I do take great joy in Amanda Linehan yielding the gavel going forward. Channeling my best “Carnac the Magnificent,” I see great things for Malden’s future. My former editor at the Malden Observer is like wicked smaht, and I look forward to spending some quality time with her and that talented husband of hers, Mark, this San Rock in the Albert Spadafora Beer Garden. All the best and good luck, Amanda!

As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” — as Steve Freker and I have mentioned in the not-so-distant past and not to beat a dead horse, as they say, but… the traffic light at Exchange and Main is still so excruciatingly long. And I know you know exactly which light I mean. How long is it? It is so long… that as I rolled up to the freshly turned-red light on Exchange, the opening notes of Iron Butterfly’s 1968 classic “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” (the album version, no less) started playing through my Bose speakers. By the time (Ron) Bushy powered through his drum solo, I was finally rolling through the intersection past the ghost of Jack in the Box, dazed, confused, unsure if I’d just had a spiritual awakening or just aged five years. For those not fluent in hard rock metaphors, the album version of “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” clocks in at just over 17 minutes. I exaggerate… but not by much. Insert smiley face.

—Peter is a longtime Malden resident and a regular contributor to The Malden Advocate. He can be reached at Pe*****@*ol.com for comments, compliments or criticisms.