Warde Alumnus to Guest on 'Lounging With Lombardi' Internet Show This Evening

Andrew Warde High School Class of 1976 alumnus and 30-year reunion chairman Tony Procaccini will be the guest on "Lounging with Lombardi," an Internet show airing live at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, April 27, in New York City. The show will be the first of three on the life, music and movies of Frank Sinatra, with the broadcasts detailing his life chronologically. John Lombardi, a New York-based DJ, is the show's creator and host.

Procaccini, pictured above with Frank Sinatra, Jr., in 2009, became strongly interested in Sinatra during his years as pianist for Benny Rae, from the early 1970s to the mid-1980s. When Rae, an accomplished bandleader, singer, trumpeter, and master of the American Songbook, lent Tony Sinatra's Capital LP "A Swingin' Affair," it became readily apparent that delving onto "Ole Blue Eyes" was a worthwhile endeavor, and Tony's interest in the singer has never waned.

Since then, Procaccini has read numerous books on Sinatra, seen many of his films, and collected an enormous amount of Sinatra memorabilia, some of which was donated by those who know of his interest. He has also met some of the well-known writers and historians who have chronicled "The Chairman of the Board," among them Will Friedwald, Charles Granata and Tom Santopietro, author of "Sinatra in Hollywood."

Tony has spoken publicly on Sinatra for Italian-American organizations, using audio and video tools to illustrate fine points of the singer's genius, while engaging audiences to share their opinions and experiences. Among Tony's prize collections are a 78 record of "Do I Worry?" recorded with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra in 1941 (pictured above), and LPs with original scores from the movies "Higher and Higher" (1943) and "Step Lively" (1944).

The show airs on the Internet at http://centannibroadcasting.com, and can be heard 24 hours after the conclusion of the show using that Website's archives.

Larry Mischik Pitched Crimson Eagles to First Baseball Victory of 1962 Season at New Canaan on This Date

Larry Mischik pitched Andrew Warde High School's baseball team to a 4-2 victory over New Canaan at the Rams' diamond on this date, Wednesday, April 25, 1962. The win was the first in three games for the Crimson Eagles.

Warde scored single runs in the first two innings. Singles by Mike Longo and Mischik and walks to Andy Bowman and Jim Lippman brought in the first Eagle run, and a walk, an error, and a fielder's choice by Mischik accounted for the second run.

The Eagles final two runs were scored in the third inning as Bowman doubled, Pete Jankowsky walked, and Les Bufferd tripled. The Eagles outhit the host Rams, six-to-three in the FCIAC contest.

Paul

Sophomore Mike Abraham Tosed Three-Hitter to Lead Warde Over McMahon, 4-1, in Norwalk 40 Years Ago Today

Sophomore Mike Abraham tossed a three-hitter to lead the Warde baseball team to a 4-1 victory over Brien McMahon in Norwalk 40 years ago today, Tuesday, April 20, 1971. It was the second victory in as many days for the Crimson Eagles.

Warde, which edged Danbury, 2-1, the previous day, improved to 3-1, while the Senators dropped to an even 2-2.

The Eagles jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Abraham opened the inning with a single and, after a fly out, moved to second on Bob Maffei's base hit. John Zerjav then laced a single to center to score Abraham, and when the centerfielder misplayed the hit, Maffei raced home from second base.

McMahon nicked Abraham for an unearned run in the fourth inning. Felix Rodrigues led off with a single and stole second before the ball was misplayed by second baseman Bill Mulligan, allowing Rodrigues to move to third. Ruddy Gisolfi's run-producing safety brought Rodrigues home.

Mulligan tallied the first of two insurance runs for the Eagles in the fifth inning when he led off with a walk, went to second on a sacrifice, moved to third on a groundout, and crossed the plate when John Favale ripped a triple to right field. Abraham, who struck out seven, helped his own cause with an RBI single, scoring Favale with the Eagles' final run.

The Senators threatened in the home half of the seventh inning when starting pitcher Gary Lawrence lined a two-out triple to left field, but Abraham cut off any scoring hopes when he retired Dennis Dudas on a fly out to center field to end the game.

Paul

Cardinals Nipped Crimson Eagles, 8-5, in FCIAC Baseball Clash in Greenwich 44 Years Ago Today

Greenwich scored runs in five of its six innings at bat to defeat Andrew Warde, 8-5, in an FCIAC baseball game at the winners' diamond on this date, Thursday, April 20, 1967.

Jed Swift led the Cardinals' attack at the plate with a perfect three-for-three performance, while Vin Esposito and Corky Fitter added two hits apiece. Al Rakoczy drove in four of the five Crimson Eagles runs with a bases loaded triple and a sacrifice fly.

Singles by Mike Aliberti and Jon Davis, a wild pitch, and Rakoczy's long fly ball gave Warde a short-lived 1-0 lead in the first inning.

Trailing by 7-1 in the sixth inning, Rakoczy delivered his bases loaded triple. Steve Plucker followed with a double to plate Rakoczy with the final Warde run. The Eagles were outhit in the contest, 11 to 7.

Paul

Hatter Miscues Help Crimson Eagles' Baseball Team Post 2-1 Win Over Danbury 40 Years Ago Today

The Andrew Warde High School baseball team tallied two runs in the first inning and held on to defeat Danbury, 2-1, in an FCIAC contest 40 years ago today, Monday, April 19, 1971, at the Crimson Eagles' diamond.

A wild pitch and an errant pickoff attempt brought home both Warde runs. Danbury jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Dennis Piela walked, stole second base, and came around to score on Ray Karas's RBI single.

The Eagles struck back immediately when Pete Paolini walked, Bill Mulligan singled, and Robbie Orciuch's sacrifice bunt was misplayed, loading the bases. Losing pitcher John Iovino then uncorked his wild pitch, scoring Paolini.

Iovino fanned the next two batters before walking Mike Abraham to reload the bases. Hatter backstop Hal DeLuca attempted to pick off Abraham, but he threw the ball into right field, allowing Mulligan to score what would be the winning run.

Mulligan, a senior righthander, picked up his second win of the season without a setback. He went the route in allowing three hits, striking out 11, and walking four. Warde raised its record to 2-1, while Danbury dropped to an identical 2-1 ledger.

Paul

Defending FCIAC Co-Champion Warde Dropped Baseball Season-Opener to Stamford Catholic on This Date in 1964

Stamford Catholic High School's baseball team defeated FCIAC defending co-champion Andrew Warde High School at the Crusaders' field in the baseball season opener, 5-2, on this date, Monday, April 13, 1964.

Ed Manjuck's tie-breaking two-run double in the third inning propelled the Crusaders to victory. Manjuck's clout scored Tom and Dave Esposito to give the Lock City hosts a margin they retained the rest of the game.

Warde opened the scoring in the first inning when Mike Pantano laced the first of his two hits, a single to center. Hank Gellert's single, sandwiched around a passed ball, scored Pantano to put the Eagles ahead, 1-0.

Ware scored again in the second inning on Pantano's second hit, a triple, which followed a walk to Dave Newman. Stamford Catholic countered with two runs in its half of the second inning on the strength of two singles, a walk, a sacrifice fly, and a fielder's choice.

After a shaky start, Catholic hurler Ray Ryan settled down and pitcher scoreless ball the remainder of the game to nail down the victory. The Eagles outhit the Crusaders, 7 to 5.

Paul