Carlson, Rein share TOT of the Year honors at annual luncheon

TOTS Senior Baseball Network

60-and-over baseball


Ron Carlson and Jeff Rein, co-managers of the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) baseball club, were honored at the organization's annual luncheon held today at Vivace's Restaurant. Both Carlson and Rein received the 2014 TOT of the Year Award for their exceptional service to the ball club over the past 12 months.

Seventy people were on hand at the luncheon, which included guest speakers Randy Jacob, a local architect and owner of the Arizona International Baseball Consortium (AIBC), along with former professional baseball players, Eddie Leon and George Arias.

Also receiving awards were Pete Peters, who won the Joe Tappero Sportsmanship Award, and Dick McAnally and Richard McCorkle who both won the Century Award, presented to members of the organization which have the distinction of 100 years of service -- combining their age and their years of playing time.

Jacob spoke about his organization, the AIBC, which supports youth baseball in the community, while Leon and Arias, both local ballplayers who played for the University of Arizona and also enjoyed careers in Major League Baseball, talked about their experiences as they grew from local high school stars (Leon at Tucson High and Arias at Pueblo High School) to college ball and on to life in MLB.

One of Leon's favorite stories included his first battle at the plate against the great Nolan Ryan, while Arias had his fair share of stories as well -- including his first confrontation against another hard thrower,  Randy Johnson.

Bob Daliege presented a special award to 82-year-old Jerry Smarik, a 22-year member of the TOTS who has said for the past few years that he needs a rocket up his behind to give him the extra speed necessary to make it to first base.

So, Bob presented him with a toy rocket, complete with all the devices, which would give him that  extra thrust needed to out-leg a throw to first.

Smarik has earned two nicknames over the years -- one is "The Rocket" and he is also known as "The Turbo Turtle."

The former Navy man and retired postal inspector left the luncheon with his rocket, determined that he will no longer hit into inning-ending double plays.

A good time was had by all.

Photos: 1) Ron Carlson 2) Jeff Rein 3) Pete Peters 4) Dick McAnnaly 5) Richard McCorkle 6) George Arias 7) Eddie Leon and 8) The Rocket...The Turbo Turtle...Jerry Smarik.

TOTS Update: In photos below Jerry Smarik (right) at work with his new "rocket". Bob Daliege, his instructor, is on his left. In third photo Jerry presses down on the unit, then hits the ball and heads for first.