Breakfast Reunion A Big One By David M. Jordan

It has been an eventful season for the Philadelphia A’s Historical Society, particularly with the visit to Philadelphia of the Oakland Athletics and all the hoopla and surge of publicity that surrounded it, followed so closely by the fire above our museum and shop in Hatboro. Soon, though, we will be hosting our biggest event of the season, our annual Breakfast Reunion, on October 12, with its theme this year celebrating the 90th anniversary of the 1913 World Champions. The breakfast, as is customary, will be at Williamson’s Restaurant in Horsham, beginning at 9 a.m. on that Sunday morning. But there is much more to it than that simple statement of fact.

The guest list, as always, is an impressive and imposing one. There will be familiar faces and new ones, old friends and new acquaintances. One of the best features of our breakfast is that we have no dais at which all the celebrity guests sit. Instead, they share tables throughout the dining room with our members and other diners, who can talk baseball with them easily and freely. We’re sorry that we will not have any representatives of the 1913 Athletics on hand for the occasion, but I am always happy to welcome back Irv Hall, who played in the first A’s game I saw in 1943 (my personal 60th anniversary this year). For newcomers this year we will entertain former NY Giants and P h i l l i e s pitcher Ruben Gomez, 1944- 45 A’s outfielder Charlie Metro, Phillies slugger Frank Thomas, and A’s infielder and Phillies coach Billy DeMars. We are also hoping to have Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner on hand. From our group of A’s stalwarts, we expect to welcome Eddie Joost, Joe Astroth, Bobby Shantz, Lou Limmer, small charge, obtain their autographs. Of course, it is understood that we cannot guarantee the actual presence of any of our guests, almost all of whom are senior citizens, but our track record over the years has been very good indeed. Most of our members are aware that our breakfast reunions always sell out, so you will want to make arrangements now to assure yourself a seat at the table. The cost of the breakfast ticket is $40, and you can send a check for that amount per person to the Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society, 6 N. York Road, Hatboro, PA 19040, or call the Society at (215) 323-9901 to pay for admission by credit card. Our breakfast reunion is always one of the major attractions for Philadelphia baseball fans, and you’ll want to make sure you’re going to be there. Allie Clark, Carl Scheib, Al Brancato, Leroy Wheat, Randy Gumpert, Lou Brissie, Spook Jacobs, and possibly Pete Suder. Former Phillies will include Don Hasenmayer, Doug Clemens, Maje McDonnell, and Howie Bedell. And, as is customary, we will welcome an old friend, Ernie Montella’s boyhood hero, Mickey Vernon.

Veteran Philadelphia sportscaster Bill Campbell, whose voice is familiar to every local sports fan, will be in attendance to give us the benefit of his thoughts on our beloved old A’s. After the breakfast, of course, our guests will be signing autographs in an adjacent room.

Many of the players visiting for the weekend will also be at our Hot-Stove gathering the day before, on Saturday October 11, at the Day’s Inn on Easton Road in Horsham. There is no charge for this affair, at which fans can chat with our guests and, for a small charge, obtain their autographs. Of course, it is understood that we cannot guarantee the actual presence of any of our guests, almost all of whom are senior citizens, but our track record over the years has been very good indeed.

Breakfast Weekend Approahs

By Max Silberman

As temperatures begin to drop and leaves fall, fans of the Philadelphia Athletics know that Reunion Weekend is just around the corner. As usual about two dozen major leaguers will be in attendance and the breakfast on Sunday, October 12 will be an early sellout just as the others have been since 1996.

The festivities begin on Saturday, October 11 at the Days Inn on Route 611 in Horsham. The Days Inn is our host hotel and players will be signing (those that have arrived) autographs for a nominal fee. The Saturday event has no admission charge and is an excellent opportunity to meet the players, chat about favorite memories, have your picture taken and avoid the autograph lines that will form on Sunday.

On Sunday, the breakfast will feature players, baseball authors and other celebrity guests. A list of tentative guests and autograph prices will be announced well in advance of the event. In fairness to all those who wish to attend, breakfast tickets are non-refundable one month before the event. Last minute decisions to cancel deny others the opportunity to attend and the fixed expenses have already been spent.

Members with web site access can check the Society web site (philadelphiaathletics.org) as the event approaches to check the roster of expected guests. Since age and health sometimes prevent players from attending and changes in personal schedules enable others to attend. The web is the best source for all the latest reunion news.

Williamson’s Restaurant on Route 611 in Horsham, PA will again serve as the host for the Sunday Breakfast event.

Many of those honored at The Vet will be on hand at the October Breakfast Reunion.

Win A Beautiful "Lapghan"

Society member John Vogt of Easton, PA and Society employee Kaitlyn Finley display the beautiful “lapghan” knitted by John’s wife Ruth that will be one of the door prizes at this October’s Reunion. It measures 43"x46". John who also is an accomplished song writer and muscian will entertain over the Reunion weekend.

Click here for Scenes from the Reunion Weekend.