Posts Tagged ‘Dan Martin’

JIM LEYLAND AND RED SCHOENDIENST

Arizona Cardinals’ former chief Bill Bidwill has the onset of Alzheimer’s, according to Johnny Roland, who was on hand Sunday night at the Baseball Writers Association dinner and Tony LaRussa Roast at the Millenium Hotel.  Roland, a onetime running back with the team, predicted that Albert Pujols will sign. “He’ll take home field advantage, because of his love for St. Louis,” said Roland.  Turning to the Rams, Roland said, “(Stan) Kroenke will put his foot down now that the team is all screwed up.” During the cocktail reception preceding the awards dinner, Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland told the columnist, “We need one pitcher and we’ll be ready to compete.”

JOHNNY ROLAND AND GRANDSON, ADAM

Leyland was one of the LaRussa roasters.  Celebrated artist Dan Martin was in a confab with the Cardinals PR/civic affairs pro Ron Watermon, who once dittoed for the late county exec Buzz Westfall. During the dinner, Pujols and Yadier Molina were presented Rawlings Gold Glove Awards.  The sporting goods manufacturer’s senior veep Michael Thompson said the firm has now created a new minus-3 collegiate bat and a football helmet with all-new padding and cooling systems.  With Cardinals and Blues exhibits already built in the Sports Hall of Fame at Scottrade Center, its founder Greg Marecek said a St. Louis Hawks basketball team exhibit is on the drawing boards. Another great feat chalked up for Marecek, who had sold KFNS radio for $11.5 million at the right time.  Here ‘n there were Lynn Broeg, widow of popular sports scribe Bob Broeg, the ultimate baseball writer Rick Hummel,

DAN MARTIN AND RON WATERMON

photog extraordinaire Bill Greenblatt, and no-nonsense St. Louis Police Sgt. Tony Aubuchon, who maintained peace among fans outside the ballroom.”There’s no one so fanatic as a rabid fan,” he confided.  Cardinal headliners were sequestered in a room off the dais, while Pujols remained up in his room, said Aubuchon.  Why not?  If our town ever had an ambassador who commanded respect, it’s Albert.  The gap he will leave behind in the skyline will be his monument. ‘Meantime, the big rumor sweeping the crowd was that only six guests for each of the 15 recipients of the Medal of Freedom, including our own Stan Musial,  will be invited by the White House for the event.

Peter Vacaro did a stand-out job as singer and emcee before the terpers performed the traditional Greek dance. Front ‘n center were: Irene Schildroth, who once owned the Missouri Grill with her late husband, Gus Pathenos; Kathy Ellis, who has served as exec secretary of the church for 48 years; Nicky Antoniou, prez of the church’s council, who plied her family with lunch; Nicky Kaperonis, 93, and Bessie Conis, 94, owners of the long-gone Greek Gourmet restaurant and a chairman of this year’s gambol, Adonis Chakides, who said this year’s event took one year to plan.  A million-dollar redo of the church was evident and a sight to behold.  Asked if BJC has offered to buy the church and grounds on the heels of the hospital’s land-grab of most surrounding properties, Chakides replied, “Yes, they did make an offer and told us, that if we ever decide to sell, their board would have interest in it.  But, they’re good neighbors.”  Ed Golterman, who spearheaded a drive to reopen the Kiel Opera House, said his next goal is to expand The Muny’s season to 14 weeks as it did many years ago. WashU School of Med and BJC didn’t miss a beat.  Nearby, Dan Martin of WashU was signing up those interested in enrolling in a study of blood pressure. Black members of the Greek Orthodox church’s growing list of members?  You bet.  According to Nicky Kaperonis, “We have a number of Ethiopians. They’re a
wonderful addition to our membership.”

PHOTOS AT THE GREEK FESTIVAL