A glimpse of the TOTS way back when

Tucson Old Timers

60-and-over baseball

Close to forty years ago, the men in the above photo ruled the roost, so to speak; they did what the 2022 version of the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers do now: they entered the field of play every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. When the fellas above played the game, the TOTS' home field was at Himmel Park, just a few hundred yards south of the intersection of Tucson Blvd. and Speedway Blvd.

If you walk your dog through the Himmel park and come across a slightly elevated area directly south of the library, you might hear an echo or two or voices from the past: "Come on, Willie! Where's your helmet? That's STRIKE ONE!"

The players at Udall Park, the current home of the TOTS, spend three days a week playing America's Favorite Pastime, all 12 months of the year. The players of old did the same, only their names were different: Joe Tappero, Bert Hough, Walt Richmond, and one of my favorite names, Charlie Catuna. (There must be a nickname in there somewhere.)

If the TOTS above were alive today, they'd all be in the triple digits of their lifetime. But they are in the heavenly stands above, looking down on Udall Park and enjoying the play of the current TOTS- while critiquing their game, no less.

They may question themselves as Reed Palmer, 66, steps to the plate and homers, high above the trees, just inside the first base foul pole. "Hey, Charlie Catuna, did we ever hit the ball that far?"

"That's only fitting," said Joe. "It's his birthday today. That's number 99. He needs one more to hit the century mark."

"The pitching is faster, said Walt. "That young man, Ernesto. He must be a Pirate fan. He always dresses in black. He mowed 'em down the other day, a shutout!"

In the spring of 1992, a rookie joined the TOTS, a young man with plenty of credentials: he was a pitcher in his collegiate days at the University of Arizona- a holder of a school record or two, way back in the early 1950s.

His name. Brad Tolson.

In 1992, Brad played in just 66 games with the TOTS. In his first year with the organization, he batted .624 with 121 hits in 194 at-bats. It was the beginning of a 21-year career as a TOT.

 

Now 93, Brad (left in a photo from his playing days) occasionally shows up at Udall Park, sits in the stands, and watches his son, Tim, play for the TOTS. Tim is easy for his dad to spot. Brad turned his jersey, #3, over to his son in 2012.

Over the years, Brad Tolson did what every diehard baseball player should: He kept his own stats and recently turned over his career stats to yours truly. He may be the only TOT documenting his years of service with the organization.

Bottom line: Brad played in 2,143 games, batted 6,355 times, scored 1,558 runs, and collected 3,419 hits. He also had 23 home runs and a lifetime batting average of .538.

That's why Brad is nicknamed the "Chairman of the Board".

Records are meant to be broken. So get to swinging, boys!