Front Row: Dave Servetnick, Ron Kinzel, Tony Camarco, Steve Rohall, Billy Caye, Pat Manning, Joe Motznik, Frank Wertz.
Standing: Manager Jack Henry, John Gigliotti, John Reese, Bob Valdisera, Tim Swiatek, T.J. O'Leary, Tom Budway, Ron Katanik, Coach Jim Trainor.

Click on image for a larger picture.

* Photo provided by Jack Henry *

Quaill's Cleaners Wins Big For Sam

Sam Bryen has sponsored the Quaill's Cleaners entry in the Brookline Little League for the past 23 years.

The 1978 edition, the final edition since Quaill's sponsorship will cease as the "The Big E" retires from Little League service, made this season a memorable one by capturing the second championship in the team's history. A third title, in 1971, is an unofficial prize following a player eligibility dispute that occured after a loss in that year's championship series.

Manager Jack Henry and Coach Jim Trainor repeated their 1975 title sweep by again taking top spot in both halves for an unchallenged claim to the Brookline Little League throne. It was a fitting end for a team sponsored by the man who had claimed the unchallenged title to the presidency of the Brookline Youth Baseball program for a quarter century, until stepping down two years ago.

The clincher came in an 18-0 rout of a strong Brookline Pharmacy team, capping off a nearly perfect 19-1 season. Brookline Pharmacy, under the direction of Don Tarr, Dan Tarr, and Jack McGee, is to be commended for a job well done. This night, and this game, however, belonged to Sam Bryen and his beloved Quaill's.

The heroes were many, just as there had been all season. John Reese cracked a pair of two-run homeruns to get the Quaill attack off and running. Bob Valdisera fired a three-hit shutout (singles to Bill Feineigle, Terry Hebda and Duke Lodge) to raise his season record to 13-0, tying the pitching mark set in 1974 by B.Y.M.C's Clint Burton.

Valdisera also belted a homerun and a pair of singles, while John Gigliotti, T.J. O'Leary and Tony Camarco each contributed a double and two singles. Gigliotti, O'Leary and Camarco comprised three-fourths of a defensively flawless infield.

The fourth member, Tim Swiatek, who has the distinction of being the only Quaill player to participate on the 1975 championship team, ripped three singles and a double. Ron Katanik knocked a two-run double, while Steve Rohall and Dave Servetnick added singles to the seemingly endless offensive outburst.

The team effort also included fine fielding plays by Ron Kinzel and Pat Manning. In addition, contributing steady play both at bat and in the field were Billy Caye, Tom Budway, Joe Motznik and Frank Wertz.

Congratulations Quaill's Cleaners, and farewell Sam. "The Big E" is going out on top; an appropriate conclusion for the man some refer to as "The Father of the Brookline Little League."

* Reprinted from "The Brookline Journal", August 1978 *