The third annual Dery Baseball Alumni Classic was held to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to baseball in the Fall River community. The event's honoree was Tommy Arruda, a 1957 graduate of Dery High School. An announcer, Billy, detailed Arruda's impressive high school career, where as a pitcher he lost only one game in three varsity years. In 1957, he led Dery to a 19-0 record and a state class A championship, finishing the season with a personal 11-0 record. Following high school, Arruda had a 13-year professional baseball career from 1958 to 1970, playing for the Giants, Astros, and Orioles organizations. Mayor Paul Coogan presented Arruda with the Fall River Icon Award, praising not only his athletic achievements but also his significant impact on the community after his playing career. The Mayor highlighted Arruda's dedication to coaching Little League and reviving American Legion baseball in the city, emphasizing his volunteer work and love for the game. Arruda accepted the award with a brief speech, thanking his family and friends for their support. He expressed his gratitude for the recognition from the community.
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Good morning everyone and welcome to the third annual uh Dery Baseball Alumni Classic. Um it's been a a great um tradition the last few years with being able to honor Dery alum and different individuals who have meant so much to the game of baseball in the Fall River community uh throughout their lives.
0:29Today we're happy to acknowledge and um thank Tommy Aruda, a graduate of 1957 from Dery High School. Tommy was a three-year varsity player, a right-hander with a popping fastball and a just too good for high school curve.
0:49And he emerged as Dery's ace on the mound as a sophomore on a team that was very good. In his three varsity years, Aruda lost just one game. In 1957, along with longtime pal Russ Gibson, Aruda helped uh carry Dery to a 19-0 record into the state class A championship.
1:13This was in the days when the regular season consisted of just 12 games. Aruda averaged about two strikeouts per inning and went seven-0 during the regular season and won four of Derphy's five playoff games to finish 11-0.
1:28In the Eastern Massachusetts final, Tommy didn't start on the mound, but came in in relief in the second inning, finishing the game allowing just two hits and striking out 11 in eight innings as the Hill Toppers won two to zero. In the state final against West Springfield, Western champion Springfield Tech at Hopewell Park in Taton, a fly ball, a misplayed fly ball became a three-run deficit for the Hill
1:58Toppers. But Aruda and company pH persevered, winning four to three in 11 innings. Tommy came in and threw a complete game, four hitter, striking out 17 and went two for five at the plate.
2:12Tommy was drafted by the new then New York Giants and had a professional baseball career that spanned over 13 years from 1958 to 1970 with the Giants, Astros, and Orioles. Following his playing career, Tommy dedicated his time spreading his knowledge of the game to youth in southeastern Massachusetts area. He led teams and was part of state championships at the youth, high school, and American Legion levels. Today we
2:38recognize Tommy Aruda for his decades of dedication and commitment to the game of baseball and youth in our area. At this time I'd like to welcome Mayor Paul Coogan.
2:53Um thanks Billy. So as you know we go around the city acknowledging people who made significant contributions to make Fall River a better place to live. Today we're going to talk about Tommy Aruda.
3:05The definition of an icon is a person widely admired for having immense influence or representing a specific area of movement. Tommy is the embodiment of an icon and your legacy has been one that has spanned decades in the city of Fall River. We all know the statistical side of the great baseball career, winning a state championship for Dery in 57 with your incredible record of winning every game you pitched with
3:30the exception of one.
3:32And your talent on the basketball court was equal. You played 13 seasons of professional baseball, pitching in the Giants, Astros, and Orioles organizations. Your career puts you at top of the all-time greats from Dery High School. But the largest impact you made on Fall River was the years you coached little league baseball and revived Legion baseball in the city. You made it respectable again. And the
3:58opposing teams knew they if they played the forever Legion, they were going to be in for a battle. You also helped raise money to keep basketball alive in the baseball alive in the city where baseball is still your passion. We don't like to lose. You did this all for one reason, love of the game. You volunteered many long hours teaching the kids how to play the game and how to be winners on and off the field.
4:27State championships and stats are one key element for being an icon, but it's only a part of the equation that uh Louis and the group uses. Freely giving time and expecting nothing in return is the other half of that equation. The lives you impacted have been felt through the decades. When anyone hears your name, the first thing that comes to everyone's mind is what you've done for the youth, not for the baseball
4:52championships.
4:54That's what makes Tommy Tommy Aruda and all of everything about him. The reason we're proud to award him the Forever Icon Award. As a side note, Tommy, you didn't make any money playing minor league baseball either, which he also loved. So, let's put our hands together and give Tommy Aruto one of Louis's Fall River icon awards.
5:27You want to say a few words?
5:29Okay.
5:35First of all, I want to thank everybody that's here. got my family.
5:41Uh the guys from uh um McDonald's, McDonald's, the guys from North Park. Even my cousin Joyce called me today. Joyce Blackburn.
5:54I haven't talked to her in years.
5:59My lineup is over there. I could tell you stories, but I'll get arrested.
6:06We've heard them, Tommy. Yeah, I know you have.
6:10Uh, let's see. I I could come up with one, huh?
6:17Let's see. Well, I appreciate this. I thank you very much and everything. I'm not a speaker with everybody, but with the guys, I'm a speaker. But thanks for coming. I recognize mostly everyone. Uh, I'm not doing bad, but I can't reach there to the plate, but I'll try.
6:38Thank you.