OMG. Ralph just helped Equinox set up for the Thanksgiving Day meals. He was a great guy and never had a bad word to say about anyone. I sent in a photo to Hardball magazine with the group of us who helped Steve Lounello and Equinox with the set-up at First Presbyterian Church in Albany. They said it will be published, so one of his last acts of kindness will be acknowledged. This is sad and shocking. I hurt for his family. May they find peace in knowing he was such a good human being and may their memories be eternal. Jim K Giants
-- Edited by sfgiants on Monday 28th of November 2011 11:19:34 PM
I first met Ralph when I joined the 28+ Mets - fresh off the u-haul moving back to NY from frosty MN. Ralph was always there with a smile, usually a few good-natured wisecracks, and later his "miraculous catches" while climbing the fence. Actually they were re-enactments, one of which cost him a considerable amount of one of his fingers. Next game. there he was laughing and showing off his stitched hand.
I don't have more info on this, but my understanding is that Ralph came to someone's aid in Schenectady a few years back (not surprising). What I've been told is that these "tough guys" then went after Ralph. Apparently that is what limited his baseball skills afterward.
Later, Ralph would do what he could to keep the White Sox together after inheriting the team and an impossible situation - the two-headed monster. One coach for hitting, the other decided the pitching - 'nuff said. He kept the team together, with frequent cooler sessions afterward. Although he didn't drink, he would bring his share of silver cans.
He had a magic ride this year, and earned the privilege of hoisting the champion's trophy, later taking home manager of the year honors as voted by his peers in the 35 Division.
Rest in Peace My Friend.
Thoughts and Prayers go out to Robin, their beloved dogs, and the rest of the Marrero family. I don't mention the dogs first because I have two, but because Ralph and Robin have had many that they have rescued or taken in over the years.
No! This can't be true! This is just one week after we shared some laughs while helping to set up for the annual Equinox Thanksgiving dinner!
Ralph was a special character! Baseball was always "have fun first" with Ralph. Don't get me wrong, it is always more fun winning, and Ralph knew that. This makes this past season that much more of a story-book season. Ralph called me early last off-season to tell me about the group of guys that he was assembling for a championship run. They lost their opening game, and never lost again. It was a season he enjoyed more than any other!
I am very upset that he won't be at our awards banquet in March to accept the trophy! Maybe his wife would be willing to stand in for him.
My heart felt sympathies to his wife, family, and many friends! Rest in peace and Godspeed Ralphie!
A true gentlemen on and off the field, with always a smile and good word. You won't find a finer teammate. Truly saddened by this news, and my deepest sympathies go to Ralph's family and friends. God be with you Ralph.
I can't remember the last time I posted. Ralphy and I go way back to the Hobbs league and I am proud to call him a friend. As many of you have commented, he was a true gentleman on the field, had a kind heart, and shared as we all do, a love of the game and his fellow teamates and players. Ralphy was always, in the nearly 20 years I've known him, a very thoughtful person. Knowing how the Orioles struggled this past season, and knowing it would be our last, after the playoffs he made it a point to text and call me to acknowledge our accomplishments over the years and even stated that we gave the Dodgers their toughest playoff game...I'm not so sure this was true, but knowing Ralphy, it was done to make us feel better. As Mike and others comment above, this makes the Dodgers run this season all that more magical...I know it meant a lot to him because when I called to congratulate him he commented on the wonderful chemistry of his team this year, and just how good the championship felt. My condolences go out to his family and to us all for the loss. Rest in Peace my friend.
Paul Scutieri
-- Edited by pauls0908 on Tuesday 29th of November 2011 08:53:31 AM
-- Edited by pauls0908 on Tuesday 29th of November 2011 08:55:33 AM
-- Edited by pauls0908 on Tuesday 29th of November 2011 09:36:24 AM
Ralph was a true gentleman and always greeted me with a smile and a handshake on the field. I pray for his family and my condolences to all of his Dodger teammates. RIP Ralph!!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. The CDMSBL is more than just a league....it is a very tight family. I didn't know Ralph personally, but did see him on the field and what I did know was that he was a very personably person. Rest in peace. May the happy memories help you through this very difficult time.
Unbelievable. I am shocked and saddened. Ralph was a teammate and friend, and I was delighted when his Dodgers won the 35+ championship this year. My thoughts and prayers to his family. Read Shepherd
I echo Mario's Post. Ralph was just a true gentleman on and off the field. I posted a picture taken just last Monday Night of Ralph and a group of other CDMSBL members helping Equinox of Albany set up for Thanksgiving.
-- Edited by Tony Nardacci on Tuesday 29th of November 2011 04:55:48 PM
I just read the post and like many of you I'm shocked and saddened as I have known Ralph over 8 years. He played for me in the past and was going to play for our 45+ BlueJays until he felt his health would be an issue. He was there to support me in putting our BlueJays in the league. I'll miss him dearly and I offer my sympathies to his wife and family. Not only has CDMSBL lost a great guy but the community as well.
I can only echo the sentiments that others have expressed here. I'm one of the many players that Ralph always greeted with a smile and a welcoming handshake. He made it easy to join and enjoy our league. Not surprising that the last time we saw him was helping out at Equinox.
how sad this news. the loss is keenly felt. this was a man who always greeted me and every opponent i ever saw him talk to with warmth and kind words. his character was steadfast: it did not matter if he had a great season, as he did last year, or a hard one, full of losses, something he also knew. in both, he wore a smile on an open, engaging face, he stood straight, he let you know he was glad to see you and, no matter the outcome, his reaction was invariably a version of, hey, didn't we just have fun? yes, we did, ralph. thank you. the gift of that good thought remains. my sincerest sympathies to his family.
-mike hart
p.s. in january of this year, ralph let us all know that, thanks to doctors and radiation treatments, he'd escaped stage 2 prostate cancer and he urged us all to get regular screenings. a screening is easy to get: a simple blood test, perhaps as part of a physical, can quickly give your doctor and you the information. if we all do that, then ralph will have given us all far more than memories of a good man and a great championship team.
Ralph is now playing in a much better league. Good dude, big heart - he made the CDMSBL a better league for him being in it. We were fortunate to have had the time we had with Ralph. God bless, kid!
