A Campbell man has spent his entire life dedicated to the game of baseball Now he'll forever be remembered...as officials dedicate the field in his honor.
Tony Dann says today's honor was something he had never expected....especially at one hundred one years young. But this honor was 57 years in the making....see Dann brought Little League Baseball to Campbell. He also served as League President and head of maintenance for nearly twenty years....
"I USED TO RAKE THE FIELD. I USED TO LINE THE FIELD. I USED TO CUT THE GRASS."--Tony Dann
Dann's words are slow, but his mind is sharp. He recalls many trips to Yankees Stadium and the time he had the chance to meet with one of baseball's all time great pitchers... Cy Young.
"HE ATE PASTA FAGIOLI AT MY HOUSE ONE DAY WHEN WE WERE GOING OUT THERE. EACH YEAR WE WENT TO WILLIAMSPORT WITH THE COMMISSIONER FROM OHIO."--Tony Dann
Several former players, umpires and friends had the chance to personally thank Dann for all he had done over the years...including teammates from one of the four original teams.
"WE HAD 100'S OF BOYS INVOLVED IN IT. IT WAS JUST A GREAT UPLIFTING EXPERIENCE AND WE GREW FROM IT. WE EXPANDED FROM IT AND MANY OF OUR BOYS WENT ON TO SUCCESS IN LIFE AND THAT'S ATTRIBUTED TO MR DANN."--JOHN KOVACH"
For the ceremony, Dann was joined by his three nieces. He never had a family of his own...and jokes with family members about his secret for longevity.
"GOOD LIFE, NO WIFE. THAT'S HIS FAVORITE LINE. BUT THE FIELD WAS HIS WIFE. HE WAS DEDICATED HE WORKED FOR THE SHEET AND TUBE. IF HE WAS WORKING THREE TO 11 HE WAS UP HERE IN THE MORNING. IF HE WORKED NIGHTS HE WAS HERE IN THE AFTERNOON."--Loretta Quinn
In a brief ceremony city officials presented him with a plaque.....one that will be displayed at the field for generations to come.
"I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU WHO ARE HERE TO HONOR ME."---Tony Dann
Although Dann never played the game himself, he finally gets the chance to shine on the diamond.
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