JOLTER MEMORIES - Guest post

Thirty years ago a bespectacled and husky lad was spotted on 70th street visiting his grandparents with a legendary man named Paulie Brucato.
We were short a player and thought the kid could use a break.

Little did we know then that Tommy B would smash all Spongeball records with over 800 homers, a dozen no-hitters, 4 MVP awards, including one as a member of the 1980 St A's Indians where he was a member of Murderers Row.

An Eric Tommasi foul in basketball cut short his pitching career, but his stellar glove patrolling center field in Softball and his soft hands as a tight-end on the 70th Street Broncos in the Gravesend Park League were the stuff of legends.

All this athletic prowess got him fame and with that came the ladies. His revolving door included(in no particular order): Liz, Carol, Rose, Christie Love, Cooper and Stella.

At forty , he would be retirement and waiting for the Hall of Fame to call had that terrible injury not occurred, nevertheless his career left us all with lasting images.

In 1980, Bru single handedly blocked Appio and Munoz to pave the way for a D Nerl 90 yard run from scrimmage. His stellar fielding and clutch hitting launched the Bombers and Chargers into the playoffs in the late '80s.

In his professional career he also left his mark:
The driving force behind the Money Store's success as well as launching their 4 hour daily golf ritual(surprise why they aren't around any longer).
-At Chuck E Cheese's in Ceasar Bay and in Levittown, Bru's managment style led to "great eats and a good time for the entire family". He also got to work with Amet and Tony Alonso at this terrific institution.
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Volumes could be filled about Tommy's career at Faces in Bay Ridge, his famous 1971 Green Valiant, his tight hand drawn fruit of the loom #25 tee shirt/jersey, the Choo Choo Disney World Houston Astro's cap, and the 65th street Christmas tree incident. His friendships are also legendary. He has teamed up with some famous folks through years such as:
Anthony Serrano and Paul Eng back in the 70's and 80's, the Willie Prip, Robert and Eddie Scola, Chuckie Habib, George Sosa, Dr. Weiner and Joel Katz years.






Thank You Bus, ....... for everything.