Former Major League pitcher visits Cranston seniors

Posted 4/16/14

The leadoff speaker’s speech packed a powerful pitch, but the keynote address was a grand slam, one that took upwards of 200 people on a trip back in time last Thursday when the Cranston Senior …

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Former Major League pitcher visits Cranston seniors

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The leadoff speaker’s speech packed a powerful pitch, but the keynote address was a grand slam, one that took upwards of 200 people on a trip back in time last Thursday when the Cranston Senior Enrichment Center celebrated its annual “Baseball Day” at the multi-purpose facility on Cranston Street.

“Executive Director Sue Stenhouse and her staff have done a wonderful job with today’s Boston Red Sox versus the New York Yankees baseball luncheon,” said Mayor Allan Fung, who was wearing a Sox cap. “It is a great honor to have local baseball legend and Cranston resident Dave Stenhouse share his professional baseball career experience with us today.”

Fung, who issued the day’s greeting to a mixture of Boston and New York fans, added, “I thoroughly enjoyed spending time and rooting for the home team Red Sox with all who are here.”

Sue Stenhouse and her staff, though, took a page out of baseball team owner-promoter Bill Veeck’s book and created a setting unlike any other for last week’s jam-packed luncheon.

The director had it all: plastic table coverings with baseballs; a baseball accented bucket filled with peanuts that anchored several balloons; popcorn; packages of Cracker Jacks; hot dogs; and chocolate covered ice cream bars.

She even led everyone in singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”

“I figured this would be a wonderful way to officially launch the baseball season,” Sue Stenhouse said. “Especially since tonight is the opening game of the Red Sox-Yankees first series in New York.”

Trouble was, the guest of honor, Sue’s former father-in-law Dave Stenhouse, didn’t have much time between bites of his hot dog. The place was packed with as many autograph seekers as the day “Sten” became the first rookie ever to start a Major League Baseball All-Star game.

Loretta Lawton, one of the senior center’s most beloved and valued volunteers, started the ball rolling by asking Dave Stenhouse for his autograph, which he wrote – with special messages all afternoon – on his legendary baseball card back when he pitched for the former Washington Senators in 1962.

“Sten” also told tales about his former playing days with the Senators.

“Dave was marvelous today,” said Sue, whose former husband is Mike Stenhouse – Dave’s son – of former Montreal Expos fame. “He’s still got game, as they say.”

He also told the day’s attendees how he encountered many of baseball’s legends during his pro baseball career, which began in 1955 and ended in 1965 after three successive years with the Senators.

Dave Stenhouse was a pitcher who played against baseball immortals such as Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Harmon Killebrew, and he faced Roberto Clemente and Willie Mays during his 1962 All-Star Game appearance.

“Sten” also provided a tutorial on the various pitches delivered from the mound, noting the difference in the equipment and that the ball is much harder today than when he played in “The Show.”

“It was wonderful, absolutely thrilling to see people flock to his table to get autographs,” Sue said. “There’s no question Dave made today special.”

One of the day’s luncheon-goers was Jack Lei, a retired Rhode Island restaurateur who once owned and operated the Tai Dee Garden on Bald Hill Road in Warwick.

Upon completion of the luncheon, Lei and “Sten” went to the second floor at the senior center for a photograph next to Lei’s famous painting of Red Sox slugger David “Big Papi” Ortiz, which hangs on the wall in the pool room.

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