Starting 90

As Sam Teresi remembers it, his “blood started boiling” during a meeting of city officials nearly 30 years ago that concerned what avenues they could explore to straighten out Jamestown’s “financial ship.”

One of the remedies favored by some that day was to shut down what was then known as College Stadium, prompting Teresi, then the city’s director of development, to consider storming out of the room.

Before he did, however, he offered this:

“I hit them with a line that one of the most eloquent and thoughtful men ever left with me,” Teresi said as he addressed a gathering at the Robert H. Jackson Center on Wednesday afternoon. “I said, ‘It’s all about what you do to make our kids feel special, and it’s our job and our responsibility to make sure that our kids have the opportunity to play on the field of their dreams.'”

With that, he left the meeting.

A year later, and much to Teresi’s delight, the ballfield on Jamestown’s east side was named in honor of Russell E. Diethrick Jr., who — not coincidentally — was the owner of that quote above. Teresi, who would eventually become Jamestown’s mayor, told that story last night to Diethrick and dozens of his friends who turned out to celebrate “Mr. Baseball’s” 90th birthday.

The “lineup” was pretty impressive.

When guests arrived at the RHJ Center, they were handed a “batting order,” and a baseball card, featuring a smiling Diethrick wearing a Jamestown Tarp Skunks hooded sweatshirt. Underneath his name was the word, “Legend.”

Fittingly, for the next 96 minutes, speakers stepped to the podium and tossed verbal “bouquets” Diethrick’s way as he sat in the front row with his wife, June. Jamestown Mayor Kim Ecklund read a proclamation calling Oct. 9 “Russell E. Diethrick Jr. Day; Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel read a letter of commendation; and Andrew Goodell presented him with a certificate of recognition from the New York State Assembly.

And then it was Jamestown attorney Chuck D’Angelo’s chance to knock it out of the park from his “cleanup” spot in the order.

“(Diethrick) was one of the first adults that seemed interested in me,” D’Angelo said. ” … Along the way I went to ‘Diethrick College.’ I learned to always treat people with respect and I was told not to make excuses, make results. He told me it was important to be a servant to the public. Smile everyday when you serve the public.

“I represent all those kids that you took care of over the years that no one would pay attention to, but Russ Diethrick did. I love you, friend. Thank you for everything you did for me.”

From there, the speakers, introduced by master of ceremonies Tory Irgang, included Randy Anderson, Dennis Webster, Ellen Coffaro, Marion Beckerink, Randy Sweeney, Greg Peterson, Mike Billoni, Dan Lunetta, Teresi and Christian Dolce.

Suffice it to say, their glowing testimonies wouldn’t have fit on the back of Diethrick’s baseball card, but the sentiments all were essentially the same.

Noted Anderson, the president of the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame: “His legacy is a testament to the difference one individual can make in the lives of so many others.”

Added Lunetta, the Detroit Tigers’ director of minor league operations in a video tribute: “Without you, I don’t know where my baseball path would have taken me, so I owe you a debt of gratitude. I know you are known to so many as ‘Mr. Baseball,’ including me, but — more importantly — I’m so proud to be able to call you my friend.”

As the program drew to a close, Dolce, the Tarp Skunks general manager and director of business sales and operations, presented Diethrick with a No. 90 Tarp Skunks jersey with “Diethrick” lettered on the back.

“You set such a great foundation,” Dolce said, “and it’s my job, and all of our jobs through the Tarp Skunks’ organization, to keep this going.”

That’s good advice, because Diethrick has served in every capacity possible in local baseball. All one has to do is check out the plaque that is mounted on the outside wall at the park that bears his name.

The adjectives include: Fan, player, manager, owner, supporter, organizer, friend, City Parks, Recreation and Conservation director and Babe Ruth League Inc. Hall of Famer.

“In my book,” Teresi said, “that pretty much says it all.”