By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC column is dedicated to the father and son team of Jim and Steve Gagnon.  Jim was a longtime beloved teacher at Putnam High School.  Steve is a well known local contractor.  Both men are always there to assist others whenever needed.  Coincidentally, father and son enjoy the same birthday, Friday, January 23.  Happy Birthday, guys.

Baseball people from throughout the state gathered at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington on Friday, January 9 for the annual Connecticut American Legion Baseball Hot Stove Banquet.  This was the 14th year that the event has been held to honor individuals and teams associated with American Legion Baseball.

Stamford’s Bobby Valentine, former manager of the New York Mets, Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox, was the featured speaker and was honored with the CT American Legion 2014 Alumni Award.  Valentine, who was never the most gregarious personality when he was in Boston or for that matter when he worked on ESPN, was eloquent and outgoing in his remarks.

Valentine speaking to the more than 400 guests including many Legion players related his baseball experiences as a young man in Connecticut and how his coaches influenced his life.  He also regaled the audience with tales of his days as a player and manager, including his acquaintance with many of baseball’s most noted players and personalities.

“To the young men in the audience remember the three R’s of life.  Responsibility, respect and reality are what I tell my players.  Always be responsible in everything you do.  Respect the game, your teammates, coaches and officials. And live in the real world.  Not everyone will reach the Major Leagues.  Finally always strive to be the best you can be,” said Valentine.

The event had a tinge of Eastern and Northeastern Connecticut personality.  Everett Shepard of Woodstock, who is the State American Legion Adjutant, delivered the opening remarks for State Commander Harry “Butch” Hansen Jr. who was unable to attend.  Shepard also enjoyed the honor of presenting each recipient with a commemorative baseball bat symbolic of their recognition.    

Jesse Hahn, who pitched for the San Diego Padres last season, was honored as the CT 2014 American Legion Major League Player of the Year.  Hahn is a graduate of Fitch High School and played for New London American Legion Post #9 prior to moving on to professional baseball.  He was recently traded to the Oakland Athletics at the end of the season after putting up a 7-2 record last season for San Diego.  

The CT American Legion New England Coach of the Year Award went to Jay Hickey who coached the RCP American Legion team to the World Series in 2014.  Hickey is the brother of former St. Mary’s School Principal Phyllis Hickey.  Matt LaBranche, the coach of Eastern Connecticut State University, was recognized as the College Coach of the Year.

On hand representing TriTown American Legion Baseball was Joe Lindley of Thompson, the team’s secretary of the executive committee along with Junior coaches Mike Carignan and Gunnar Andersen.

Bobcat Prowling Putnam

A bobcat was spotted in Putnam on Saturday, January 10 but it wasn’t of the four-legged variety.  Tom Moore, coach of the Quinnipiac University Bobcats, was spotted in the crowd at the Putnam Science Academy and Mt. Zion contest.  Moore was intent on the play on the court as some of his future players were in action. 

The Robinson twins, Andrew and Aaron, have committed to Moore for next season.  Andrew posted 16 points and 16 rebounds in front of his future boss, while his brother Aaron played well despite some foul trouble.  Moore also had his eye on three Mt. Zion players whom he’s courting, 6-foot, 11-inch Rokas Ulvydas who hails from Lithuainia, 6-6 Tugay Balyan from Ankara, Turkey and 6-4 Sean Lloyd.

In an exclusive interview with RPC, Moore was very high on the play of former Marianapolis standout Ousmane Drame, who’s been his leading rebounder and one of his top scorers.  He also noted the former PSA big man Chaise Daniels “is progressing nicely.  We expect big things from him as the season moves on and in the future.”

In the Bobcats most recent win, a 66-54 victory over Marist, which put them at 8-7 on the season, Drame led the team with 15 points, while freshman Daniels added five key markers.

Sick Call

The Plainfield girls’ basketball team, which is chugging along at a 6-6 pace after beating a good Tourtellotte team 49-35, received some bad news from sick bay.  Senior Adrienne Lorange who has been a mainstay of the Lady Panthers success all season is out indefinitely with an undisclosed illness.  Adrienne, along with her sister Madeline, and Julie Jordan has been a leading scorer and rebounder for Plainfield.  RPC sends along get well wishes and a speedy return to the hardwood.  She saw limited action in a loss to Montville.

Welcome Traveler…

Putnam Science Academy, which is rolling along at 18-2, received a late Christmas present when 6-4 combo-guard Brandon Hurst showed up on the Maple St. campus in the 06260 zip code.  Hurst, who is a sophomore, is described by coach Tom Espinosa as “very athletic and who can score the ball in many different ways.”  In his first three games he’s averaging about seven points a contest with the ability to shoot the three.

Hurst lives in East Hartford.  He played two seasons at University High School and transferred to East Catholic High School at the start of this season.  Hopefully for Hurst and the Mustangs this will be his final high school stop.

Thompson Speedway to Host Historic Racing

This year Thompson Speedway Motorsports Oval Track celebrates its 75th anniversary.  The brainchild of the late John Hoenig, the 5/8-mile oval was the first paved track in the Eastern United States.  Under the guidance of Donald Hoenig, his son DR and the recent addition of his grandson Jonathan, the Speedway has witnessed significant growth.

To celebrate its 75th anniversary the oval will witness the return of historic racing for the first time since 2012.  On Friday and Saturday, May 15 and 16 the Thompson track will host the Historic Oval Invitational featuring any race cars built prior to 2000.  This will include Midgets, Sprints, TQ Midgets, Super Modifieds, Champ Cars, Vintage Outlaws, Stock Cars and much more.

A feature is also planned in the form of a Hot Rod 7 Classic Car show on the Saturday morning of the signature weekend.  The cost to display a car is $10, which includes grandstand admission for the event.  Anyone wishing more information should visit the website at www.thompsonspeedway.com or telephone 860 923-2280.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: To say impossible always puts you on the losing side.

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