Malden today, tomorrow and yesterday – Top 200 Hoopsters, Part 2

  Time for Part 2 of my top 200 basketball players in the history of my life while living and playing basketball in best hoop city in the Commonwealth – Malden! This is by no means a definitive list. I’ve got great memory recall, but Father Time has diminished my ability to think on my feet as quickly as I did in the past. These are ballplayers that I have played with, and against, in my lifetime. If I have played with or against you and have excluded you or made a glaring error, please let me know and we’ll rectify that after I have carefully examined all the facts. They all have lived in Malden at one point in their lives or were born and raised here. The list is in no particular order. Joe wasn’t the best I ever played with/against (close though) and number 200 (Joe Frauton) was not the worst. Again, if I did not play against or with you in those glorious hoop days of yesteryear, that is why you aren’t mentioned here. Again, please take into account this is a list of players from my era. The ’64 MHS State Champ team would not be included. Never played with or against them.

  For your reading pleasure, the second fabulous 50: Eric Dannenburg, Jimmy Coleman, Gregory Phanuef, Gary Twyman, Jack, Steve & Gary Freker, Scott Hanley, Neal Jones, Joe Victor, Mike McCauley, David Matthews, Brad Snow, Mitch Cohen, David, Mike, and Arthur Boyle, Maryanne Smith, Mike Keegan, Jonathan & Keith Brickman, Barry Almond, Johnny Novak, Richie Giannattasio, Dana Brown, Gary Lee, Bobby Jones, Eddie Thomson, Mike Vona, Richie Howard, Tommy Kelly, Johnny Preziosa, Richie Lynch, Warren Wolcott, Chris Bennett, Mike Debenedictis, George Antonakos, Scotty Byrnes, Jimmy Geider, Chris & Mike Cirino, Jimmy Kelly, Kevin McKenna, Teddy Grifkin, Dave & Mike Morelli, Greg & Chris Errico, Steve Prendable, Dave & Joe Bouley, Mark Chopelas & Ronny McCarthy.

  She “floats like a butterfly, and stings like a bee” and her motto during her hard-fought Ward 8 City Council victory (another Ali gem) was “If you even dream of beating me you’d better wake up and apologize.” Her name is Jadeane Marie Sica and she is once again representing the good people of Ward 8. Jadeane never actually said “If you even dream of beating me you’d better wake up and apologize,” but can’t you just visualize her saying it?! Insert smiley face. And away we go…

1. My full name is…Jadeane Marie Sica.
2. I am currently…the Ward 8 City Councillor.
3. I am saving up for…a rainy day.
4. My home is in…Malden (Linden neighborhood).
5. I love people who…help others.
6. Something I say a lot is…“no worries.”
7. I consider myself to be…very fortunate.
8. I need to have…the support of family and friends.
9. My favorite movie of all time is…Beaches.
10. My all-time role models are…my parents.
11. I respect people who…stand up for what they believe in.
12. The best thing anyone has ever said to me is…”you can do anything you put your mind to.”
13. I am happy when…I’m camping.
14. I find (kids) funny/hilarious.
15. I am named after…no one.
16. I have (two kids) and a bonus son (stepson).
17. The farthest I’ve ever been from home is…Aruba.
18. My special talents are…couponing and crafting.
19. I have (no) pets.

  These things are good…

• A newly paved Exchange Street. Onward Malden!
• Christmas wreaths and the holiday spirit lining Salem Street from Main to Holden.
• Hearing Jeff Buckley’s version of “Hallelujah” on 88.1 WMBR for the first time this holiday season (no other version comes close to Buckley’s).
• Colombo – Season 3, Episode 20 ‘Candidate for Crime’ – November 4, 1973 – featuring Jackie Cooper as Nelson Hayward. Cooper’s duplicitous behavior is a delight to behold.
• The first sighting of the electronic message board displayed at 20 Dale St. counting down the days till Christmas (thanks Dave).
• My sister Barbara’s meatballs, chicken cutlets, and special recipe sauce!
• Bing Crosby. Auld Lang Syne.
• Burl Ives. WJIB 101.3 FM. Holly Jolly Christmas.
• Mayor Gary Christenson’s Annual Holiday Lunch for city employees! The company of Dave Angelo, Maria Luise, Kathleen Manning-Hall, the honorable Mayor, Joanne (my favorite Settemio) Settemio, Mike Bartlett, Steve Winslow with Julie Crowley from Bobby C’s catering? Forget about it! Heaven on Pleasant Street!
• Eggplant Rollatini at Bobby C’s on the Malden/Melrose line on Main Street!
• Jackie Teal and his Herculean effort weeks back at his Toys for Tots Winter Bocce Classic Tournament at the Italian American Citizen’s Club. The Tournament raised a ton of dough that was used to purchase toys for children in need. Generous members also donated a boat load of toys that benefitted the Toys for Tots program. Thank you, Jackie Teal, you big hearted slug! Thank you Billy Settemio at the I.A.C.C. and all I.A.C.C. members! Thank you, Winter Bocce Classic participants! Thank you, thank you very much.
• Councillor-at-Large-Elect Carey McDonald and his musical family. I found out some neat stuff about Malden’s newest Councillor-at-Large. His dad was a trombone player, conductor, composer, and arranger. He researched music honoring Martin Luther King Jr and the civil rights era. He also taught music in academic and community settings, founded a ragtime band and was the church music director for the last part of his career. He passed from COVID-19 last year (sorry for your loss Carey). His mom is a flute player and teacher, who now coaches’ musicians on injury prevention. Growing up, there was always music in the house! And playing music was a part of every holiday and celebration. He has a brother who is a bassist, and they all played together in a family quartet. Fascinating Carey! Thanks for sharing.
• The Burgermeister Meisterburger hamburger at Mystic Station. A 1/2-pound burger hand formed from their custom blend of chuck, short rib & sirloin on toasted brioche bun, served with French fries and pickles. A delight to ALL the senses!! Forgetaboutit!
• My wonderful sister Barbara. Thank you for keeping alive the tradition of baking Christmas anisette cookies with our late mom’s recipe.
• Old friend Ron Cox who I don’t tell often enough how much I admire and respect him.

  “This is the end, beautiful friend, this is the end, my only friend, the end” – my childhood memories of Christmas/Winter time in Malden especially around the Square are many; here are but a few: the hustle and bustle of Malden Square from the late 1960’s well into the 1980’s (especially the area around Mal’s when they were on Main Street, Kappy’s when they were right next door, and the newspaper stand in the middle of Main & Pleasant). We kept warm at the Charles Street Bowling Alley, Signor Pizza, Brigham’s, Gold Coin, Jack in the Box, Joe & Nemos, or Piece-o-Pizza. Ronny “Malden Ron” Anderson tooling around the city in his DPW truck. Holiday cheer at The Do Re Lounge, Jack Haney’s, the Centre Bar & Grille, the Horseshoe Bar & Grille, or the Auld New Lounge. Christmas shopping at Jordan Marsh, Bakers, Malden Jewelry (“Official headquarters for MHS Class rings & jewelry”), Roli Music or Malden Music Center on Irving Street, Woolworths, Malden Army & Navy Store (the one Richie “Hard Rock” Hannon worked at), or Liggett’s. Ice skating at Devir Park or the Rez. Walking to the Square in snowstorms with my pals to go to the Granada or the Strand or to play pool at Al’s Pool Room. Clearing the snow off the court at Amerige, Devir or Little Pearl for a little wintertime basketball. And on the rare occasion Christmas eve Midnight Mass with my pal Jimmy D.

  Postscript: Kris Kristofferson was so underrated. One of Kris’s best: “I’d trade all my tomorrows for one single yesterday.”