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Oscar Aussie, left, has committed to AIC. Courtesy photo.
By Ron. P. Coderre
Today’s sporty hello goes out to Stan Lesniewski of N. Grosvenordale who recently celebrated another candle on the cake of life. As a former umpire, who called hundreds of high school, American Legion and college games, he notes, “In my heart I never made a bad call.”
Roger LaFrancois may not go down in the annals of Boston Red Sox history for any significant record or accomplishment but he did what many of us would have loved to do in our lifetime, he played an entire season in the Major Leagues.
On Friday, April 20, when the Red Sox officially celebrated the 100th birthday of storied Fenway Park, LaFrancois was an official invitee of the club to partake in this historic event. Roger LaFrancois was there in the sunshine in front of 36,770 crazed BoSox fans. He shared the moment with the likes of “Mr. Red Sox” Johnny Pesky, 94-year old Hall of Famer Bobby Doerr, Yaz, Jim Rice, Carlton Fisk, Jerry “Remdawg” Remy, Dwight Evans, Tito Francona, Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield and many others. A total of 212 former Red Sox players to be exact.
“It was an awesome event, very emotional, and something I will never forget,” LaFrancois told RPC.
LaFrancois’ time with Boston from the Official Baseball Encyclopedia indicates he spent the entire 1982 season in Beantown, playing in eight games, coming to bat 10 times, getting four hits, scoring one run and is credited with one RBI. His official Major League average is a gaudy .400. His claim to fame is that he’s the last Red Sox .400 hitter since the immortal Ted Williams, who hit .406 in 1941. The A-ward, which is presented to a player annually is done in LaFrancois’ honor.
The humble LaFrancois is still a much sought after commodity by autograph seekers. He regularly receives request in the mail or when he’s in public from individuals wanting the Roger LaFrancois signature.
Currently, Lafrancois is a member of the world champion St. Louis Cardinals organization, where he serves as the hitting instructor for the team’s Class A New York – Penn League entry in Batavia, NY. This spring the Cardinals presented World Series rings to everyone in the organization, including LaFrancois.
PSA’s Assie Headed to AIC…
Highly recruited Putnam Science Academy power forward Oscar Assie has committed to play at American International College in Springfield, Mass., next September. Assie, who came to PSA from St. Joseph’s High School in Bridgeport, was a main cog in coach Tom Espinosa’s 20-9 Mustang machine this season averaging 12.1 points per game and leading the team in rebounding with 7.5 caroms per contest. He was also second on the team in blocked shots. AIC plays in the rugged NCAA Division II Northeast X Conference against the likes of Stonehill, Assumption, St. Anselm’s, Franklin Pierce and St. Michael’s. He’ll be part of Coach Art Luptowski’s Yellow Jacket squad.
Assie is Espinosa’s 10th player to move on to the college ranks, joining Rundell Mauge, Jeremi Johnson, Travis Godley, Alvin Durrett, Michael Gittens, Taquan Zimmerman, Wilson Arob, Anthony Henry and Desmond Williams.
Reminder – Jim Phaiah Walking This Weekend…
A last-minute reminder, if you’re looking for something to do April 28 and 29 think about joining Jim Phaiah as he embarks on another fund-raising walk. He’s known locally for the many walks he’s taken to raise money for various charitable causes, but especially for programs relating to child abuse prevention.
The purpose of his latest walk is in support of Wendy’s Place and to promote the Stewards of Children, Darkness to Light Prevention Program. The walk is scheduled for Davis Park in Danielson and will commence at 6 p.m. and conclude the following day at noon. It’s an 18-hour, 28-mile trek, which is scheduled intentionally to promote Darkness to Light. Phaiah is dedicating his walk to his former high school friend, the late Thomas Deary III and all victims of abuse and neglect.
The walk is open to the public and Phaiah is encouraging others to join him for any portion of the 18-hour journey. His goal is to raise $10,000 through pledges he’ll receive and pledges received by other walkers. His foundation, Jimmy’s Kids Foundation, has pledged the first $500 toward the goal. Anyone interested in more information or pledge sheets is urged to call Phaiah at 860 774-1720 or e-mail, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by contacting Christine Collins at 860 963-6599 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Checks may be mailed directly to Wendy’s Place, 320 Pomfret St., Putnam, CT 06260 noting “JIM’s Walk.”
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “Dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Hard work is the price we must pay for success. I think you can accomplish anything if you’re willing to pay the price.” Vince Lombardi.