Steele, Peters take home top awards at 2019 TOTS' Luncheon

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Fifty four players, family and friends were on hand this morning at Vivace's Restaurant as the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers celebrated their 51st year by hosting the TOTS' 2019 Awards Ceremony and Luncheon.  Manager Mike Dawson emceed the affair, which included special awards to Mike Steele, who won the Joe Tappero Sportsman Award and to Pete Peters, who was honored as the 2019 TOT of the Year.

Seven Hall of Fame Awards were also handed out to Dennis Crowley, Bob Daliege, Mike Steele, Bob Stofft and Miguel Urtaza (winners not pictured: John Miaiaszek and Ron Carlson).

Reed Palmer, who broke the TOTS' single-season home run record with 29 home runs, was presented with a special autographed ball, honoring the feat.

Dawson was happy with the turnout and was very pleased to have Coach Rich Alday as the guest speaker. Alday, a well-known Tucson sports figure and former baseball coach at Pima College and the University of New Mexico, where he won a total of 1,032 collegiate games.

"We were honored to have Coach Alday," Dawson said. "He gave us a lot of words of wisdom."

Alday, pictured in above photo, ended his speech with a central theme that he has used through out all his years of coaching. He told the gathering to pass on to their grandchildren and great grandchildren. "Stay in school and get an education."

Coach Alday has been through every level of coaching and he let it be known only a very small percentage make it to the big leagues. In other words, education is the key ingredient.

Another TOTS' luncheon is in the books. The TOTS will be back on the field at Udall Park on Friday morning. Game time: 10 a.m.

Photos:  1) Hall of Fame Award winners, from left to right (Dennis Crowley, Bob Daliege, Mike Steele, Bob Stofft and Miguel Urtaza). 2) Mike Steele accepts Joe Tappero Sportsman Award from Mike Dawson. 3) Pete Peters accepts TOT of the Year Award from Dawson. 4) Reed Palmer accepts a special autographed baseball from Dawson. Palmer broke the TOTS' all-time home record last year. Palmer hit 29 home runs in 2018.