The Oldtimers Bats and Balls Association last week honored two people with the Bill “Pickles” Kennedy Award.
The Nov. 13 meeting took place at Randi’s Restaurant & Bar, 1619 Grant Ave. in Grant Plaza II in Bustleton.
Honorees were Mike Corbi and Frank DiMichele.
Corbi is a Feltonville native and 1961 graduate of Olney High School. He was an All-Public League quarterback on the football team and was also a member of the basketball and track and field teams. He also quarterbacked the undefeated team at Staunton Military Academy (Virginia). He was on the football and track teams at the University of Houston and the football team at Temple. The Los Angeles Rams drafted him in the third round, but an injury prevented him from playing in the NFL. He was a sports agent for 17 years, representing more than 400 players. In 2014, he was inducted into the Philadelphia chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. Last month, he published a book, Butchy, that is available on Amazon.
DiMichele, 59, grew up near 9th and Tasker streets in South Philadelphia and is a 1983 graduate of St. John Neumann. He was an All-Catholic League pitcher for Neumann’s baseball team and also played for Magnolia in the Pendel League. He played at La Salle University and Community College of Philadelphia and was drafted in 1985 by the California Angels. He made some relief appearances for the Angels in 1988 and spent eight years in the minor leagues with the Angels, San Diego Padres and Phillies organizations. Today, he runs a pitching academy. More information can be found at thepitchingpro.com.
Among those attending the luncheon was former Cardinals, Cubs and Phillies outfielder Doug Clemens.
The Oldtimers group consists of former athletes and officials. Members meet three times a year at Randi’s. Lunch costs $12.
The next meeting will be at noon on Wednesday, March 12.
For more information on the group, call Jack Purdy at 215-968-0404 or Jack Newns at 215-677-5983. ••
