Yankees Derided, Powers Remembered as BLOHARDS Convene

Cosgriff channels Powers
By the score, BLOHARDS gathered May 9th at Manhattan's storied Yale Club to fete their team, remember their fallen leader and revel in the return of spring. Considering that club is lately bereft of the iron discipiline of its founder/owner/president Jim Powers, the affair was no more chaotic than would have been expected.

Following a pre-lunch reception, the 150 guests were exhorted to take their seats by Master of Ceremonies and BLOHARD VP for Homeland Security Joe Cosgriff who kicked off the festivities by noting that the luncheon marked the 45th anniversary of Carl Yastrzemski's first major league home run, and that the man who threw the home run pitch, Jerry Casale, was dining with us. A Powers-worthy
Jerry Trupiano
address, which included an account of the two of them (Powers and Cosgriff) jointly prevailing on Sox skipper John MacNamara to change his lineup during a mid-80's lunch, followed.

Next up was Julia Powers Killian who spoke about her father, the BLOHARDS and their intertwined history.

This very eloquent presentation was followed by the incomprehensible and tedious, but lengthy, report of the "Headware, Shirtage and Electronic Media" Committee. According to accounts of those few -evidently well rested- listeners who were able remain conscious, the gist of the report was that the BLOHARDS have donated some $3,000 to the Jimmy Fund and $500 to the Hole in the Wall Gang from the proceeds of t-shirt and hat sales respectively. Out of deference to whatever dignity he still possesses, the identity of the presenter of this particular report will not be disclosed.

Dustan Mohr explains how he's going to light up Randy Johnson
The mercifully-timed delivery of lunch then served as a much-needed stimulant for the stupefied assemblage. The menu featured a salad, roast chicken with a medley of spring vegetables, or, for non-carnivores, a delicious pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, and a fruit tart for dessert. It was avidly enjoyed, but no more so than the presentation of 14-year Sox radio announcer, and member of the Massachusetts chapter of the Italian-American Hall of Fame, Jerry Trupiano.

Among other things, Trupiano introduced and interviewed Sox outfielder Dustan Mohr. A former Giant, Mohr spoke of his admiration for Barry Bonds' athletic abilities, and told a story of having been struck out by Randy Johnson (then with the Diamondbacks) and hearing the Big Unit taunt him on his way back to the dugout: "Not today, Mohr!" Dustan's uniform didn't have his name on it, so his reaction was essentially one of gratification that Johnson knew who he was. Evidently fortified by the Yale Club's food and our fellowship, Mohr had a walk, a hit and two runs scored in two plate appearances against Johnson that night.

Our hero, Dick Bresciani
Dick Bresciani, Red Sox Vice President/Publications and Archives, who has served as the BLOHARDS' conduit to the Sox for decades, and is a scheduled inductee into the Sox Hall of Fame, was very warmly received. Dick recounted some anecdotes from the ancient days, including the fabled Ralph Houk-Jim Powers suicide squeeze disquisition of the early 80's, and the time Jeff Reardon, having blown a save the night before, demurred from coming to lunch with us lest he be the entree. Needless to say, his fears were overblown; the BLOHARDS are nothing if not gracious. Dick also recalled former treasurer Walter Teitz's pleas for dues on the basis of his need to put his children through college, and Henry Berry's slide show with its annual presentation of the George Steinbrenner Horse's Ass Award, an honor that eluded its namesake only in the one year of the award (1972) that predated his ownership of the Yankees.
Bob Sullivan

Bob Sullivan read several passages from his prolific writings on the Sox, baseball and life (aren't those topics redundant?), and Talking Baseball's Ed Randall, arriving mid-luncheon after some luggage and transportation issues, crammed several dozen one-liners and a few pointed political asides into his presentation. Somewhere along the way, a glittering cornucopia of treasure was lavished on those attendees capable of answering such trivia questions as: "Who holds the Red Sox single-season record for passed balls?" (Mike McFarlane, 1995), and: "When was the last year Julio Franco hit a home run off of somebody older than we was?" (1994, which is to say twelve years ago.)

Dr. Steinberg
As has become a BLOHARD tradition, the grand finale was reserved for Red Sox Executive Vice President/Public Affairs Dr. Charles Steinberg. As is his wont, Steinberg spoke with utter frankness on subjects which included the history between Messrs. Lucchino and Epstein (complicated and emotional in the way of a typical family; Steinberg characterized Lucchino as "Earl Weaver in a suit") and the trade of Bronson Arroyo for Wily Mo Pena (inexplicable and disappointing as far as Dr. Charles was concerned).

The event concluded with the benediction of Reverend Cosgriff, and his proclamation that the next convocation of BLOHARDS will occur on the fifteenth of September.