Gritty Granahan gives title to Devils

Kim Granahan scored the only run the Blue Devils would need in the top of the seventh as Old Forge won its first ever District 2 Class 1A title in 1 -0 win over four-time defending champ Blue Ridge.

Granahan singled to start the inning, advanced to second on a single by Allyson Marianelli, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Jess Armillay and scored on a sac fly to center by Lindsey Regan.

Nese leads Blue Devils to crown

Mario Nese singled, doubled and tripled to lead Old Forge to a 17-2 win over Northwest for the District 2 Class 1A title. The Blue Devils will open the state playoffs on Monday.

In case you forgot....

Mucciolo's Menu.... Circa Jan. 2000

Still watching

In 1975 I took in what was probably my first Blue Devils baseball game. On Wednesday, I will be taking in another one when I watch this year's version play for the District 2 title at PNC Field.

Class of 89 - Second Grade...

Can you name any of these future OFHS grads?

Ill give you a week before I reveal there names.

Devils Win! Devils Win! Devils Win!

McMyne was at it again. Kyle (with a K naturally) struck out 17 while allowing just two hits and walking three as Old Forge defeated Wyoming Seminary, 7-1, to advance to the District 2 Class 1A Title Game next Wednesday at PNC Field.

Softball game changed

The Old Forge Blue Devils D2

Softball semifinal has

been moved to Friday, May 23 at

4:30 p.m. at the Old

Forge Miles Street Community Park.

These three Old Forge legends got together last Sundayto watch the Blue Devils beat Riverside, 10-2. Pictured,from left to right, Joe “GI” Giglio, Russ “Nails” Giglio,and Al “Phonsy” Semenza.

Diamond Notes

District 2 Baseball Tournament Schedule
Class 1A
First Round May 20
Freeland MMI (1-13) at Wyoming Seminary (3-11)
Forest City (0-14) at Northwest (5-9)

Semifinals May 22
MMI/Sem winner at Old Forge (12-2)
FC/NW winner at Susquehanna (9-5)

Championship May 28 at PNC Field


District 2 Softball Tournament Schedule
Class 1A
First Round May 22
Forest City (0-14) at Susquehanna (2-12)

Semifinals May 23
Freeland MMI (4-10) at Old Forge (13-1)

Semifinals May 27
Forest City/Susquehanna winner at Blue Ridge (13-1)

May 29
Championship May 29
FC-Susq./BR winner v. MMI/OF winner at TBA

The Sibley Breaker

Editor’s Note: This and future articles to follow are dedicated to the miners who lost their lives in the coal mines of Old Forge. They are being researched to preserve our coal mining history for future generations.

The Sibley breaker and shaft were located across from what is now Keyser Avenue, near the junction of the Erie Lackawanna and Ontario & Western Railroad’s between Oak Street and Sibley Avenue.

Built in 1873 as an over shaft colliery, the shaft and cage hoist was built into the breaker, and the large pulley wheels were in the highest part of the structure. It was destroyed by fire on Feb 5, 1886. It was rebuilt by the A. B. Tyrrell Co., on the same foundation in 1886. By July 5 of that year, Tyrell had the remains of the damaged colliery cleared and had started rebuilding rapidly.

This second structure was also destroyed by fire on June 23, 1906. The fire broke out in the breaker about 10:45 a.m., and destroyed the breaker, engine house, boiler and supply houses. The new buildings were completed and in use by summer.

The colliery was first owned by the Elliott, Koerner & Co. in 1872 when the first shaft was sunk. It was bought by the Pennsylvania Anthracite Coal Co. in 1887, and was in their control until it was bought by the Elliott McClure & Co.
in 1885. They ran the colliery until it was purchased by the Pennsylvania Coal company in 1914, and it continued to produce coal until it closed on March 13, 1916 and was raised to the ground during the summer months.

However an underground haulage tunnel was dug to connect the Sibley shaft workings to the foot of the Old Forge Shaft so coal could be brought to the surface. From there the coal cars were moved by locomotive to the Old Forge breaker.

Records show more than 5,260,855 tons of coal was mined at Sibley between 1873 and 1916. In 1901, 496 workers were employed at the Sibley. Some statistics from 1908 are from a report by Inspector H.D. Johnson, of Rendham to James Roderick, Chief of Bureau of Mines. Production of coal shipped to market, 119,214 tons, fatal accidents, 1. The Sibley site was served by the D&H Railroad.

The Sibley Superintendent was R.W. Reese. 615 persons were employed, 15 men and 72 slate picker boys, 175 miners, 125 mine labors, 62 mule drivers, 8 door boys, 43 mules or horses, 3 pump men and 76 company men. A total of 6,053 lb. of black powder and 3,075 kegs of dynamite were used. The complex was powered by 3 tubular steam boilers, 1200hp. 19 steam engines, 900hp. 1 water pump, a 2500gpm. air compressor.

Ventilation was supplied by using a steam powered forced air fan. Records after 1916 are few, Sibley is now listed under Pennsylvania Coal Co, without any breakout as to each mine’s location.

Some of the officers of Elliott McClure & Co were: Judge Harrold Murrary McClure, R.W. Reese, superintendent 1908, J.D. Reedy, Henry W. Kinsbury, general manager 1902, and Robert McClure.

As recorded in the Court of Common Pleas Lackawanna County #12, court case, Sept 1906 Commonwealth of Pa. H.D. Johnson Inspector, v. Elliott McClure & Co., Inspector Johnson had tried to stop rebuilding the Sibley as an over shaft breaker on the same foundation. The judge, citing previous cases relating to rebuilding structures on the same foundation found in favor of the Elliott McClure & Co.

The Inspector had tried to use a new law preventing breakers from being constructed over mine shafts or slopes after the huge loss of life at the Avondale Colliery fire in Plymouth.

The following is the list of miners who lost their lives at the Sibley:
1874 Patrick Cawley, June 6; and Abraham Huity, Jan. 20.
1876 James Flemmings, Oct. 12.
1879 Patrick Carrol, Nov.3.
1884 Pat Leyden Jr., March 26.
1888 Patrick Joyce, July 9.
1889 Thomas Murry, Sept. 3.
1897 Edward Joyce, July 9.
1900 J.S. Davis, July 27.
1901 Louis Zegasky, Jan. 31; Thomas Tinner, March 25; and Thomas English, March 28.
1903 John Conosky, Jan. 14; and Andrew Andruchuck, July 5.
1904 John Colella, July 15; and John Fetsco, Oct. 22.
1905 Gusty Balvon, July 26.
1906 Mike Frank, May 22; and S.E. Elliott, Nov. 1.
1908 Raffella Astorino, Sept. 13; Mic Kokinda, Feb. 20; and Andrew Novak, Aug. 28.
1909 Alex Milgick, Nov. 10.
1910 John Heydon, Jan 24; Michael Barry, Jan. 19; and Peter Serko, Sept. 21.
1911 Regnaldo Mattello Sept. 15, William T. Williams Oct. 17, Thomas Griffin Oct. 27.
1912 Joe Matlock, Aug. 12; William Comar, June 21; and Peter Wascavitch Sept. 24.
1913 Harry Hover, Feb. 11; Ben Krotavich, Aug 16; Jacob Benta, Sept 27; Charles Sweders, Oct. 22 and John Huda, Dec. 23.
1915 James Talerico, March 5; Stanley Mirowca, March 11; Alex Makosky, May 4; Frank Sargalsky, June 17; Frank Corridge, July 31; and John Pasco, Aug. 27.

An original photo of the first or second Sibley Colliery taken around 1886 belongs to the Eagle McClure Hose Co. It was hung in the Sibley McClure Hose Co for over 75 years. A photo of the third Sibley Colliery built in 1906 belongs to the Syracuse University Library, Bunnell collection, and was taken in 1908.

If you, your parents, or grandparents have any photos, letters, stock certificates, newspaper clippings, company records or maps relating to coal mining in Old Forge that can add to our heritage, please call Carl Orechovsky at 570-451-0566, or e-mail him at jasper933@comcast.net.

You can also find more information on Old Forge coal mining by visiting http://www.oldforgecoalmine.com/

Research information was obtained from the Scranton Public Library, PA. Department of Mines, Bunnell collection Syracuse University Library, Pa. State Museum Harrisburg, Pa., Eagle McClure Hose Co. Old Forge, and many hours spent Googleing Old Forge coal mining.

Rankings...

As of Saturday (May 10) morning....

BASEBALL
1. Valley West (10-1) 4A
2. Old Forge (11-1) 1A
3. West Scranton (9-3) 3A
4. Scranton Prep (8-4) 3A
5. Wallenpaupack (9-3) 4A
6. Carbondale (11-1) 2A
7. Hanover (11-1) 2A
8. Pittston Area (9-3) 3A
9. Coughlin (8-5) 3A
10. GAR (10-2) 2A
Teams to watch: Berwick (7-4); Lake Lehman (9-3), Elk Lake (9-4), Abington Heights (7-5), Dunmore (9-4), Delaware Valley (7-5), Susquehanna (8-4)

SOFTBALL
1. Hazleton (10-3) 4A
2. Dallas (10-2) 3A
3. Old Forge (12-1) 1A
4. Carbondale (11-1) 2A
5. Blue Ridge (10-1) 1A
6. Delaware Valley (10-1) 4A
7. Abington Heights (11-1) 4A
8. Mid Valley (10-3) 2A
9. Nanticoke (9-3) 2A
10. Lake Lehman (11-1) 2A
Teams to watch: Valley View (9-4), Tunkhannock (7-4), Lake-Lehman (11-1), Northwest (10-1), Honesdale (9-3), Hanover (9-3), Valley West (9-3)

Three-peat

Stephen Semenza's sacrifice fly to DEEP DEEP centerfield gave the Blue Devils its first run as Old Forge captured its third consecutive Lackawanna League divisional championship with a 9-1 win over Dunmore. Kyle McMyne fanned 11 on the way to picking up the pitching win. The Blue Devils play Sunday at Riverside and complete its regular season on Monday at home against Holy Cross.

Nice job Blue Devils!!!

CHAMPS!!!!!

The Old Forge Blue Devils softball team captured the Lackawanna League Division II title with a thrashing of arch-rival Riverside, 13-2. The Blue Devils pounded out 18 hits against the Lady Vikes and never let up as they posted their 12th win of the season.

Congrats Blue Devils!!!!

KID DY-NO-MITE!!!

Old Forge third baseman JJ Thomas was this week's Times-Tribune Athlete of the Week. He is the Blue Devils second AOW selection - and should be their third.

JJ has hit 7 home runs to date and has 28 RBI. He sure is cleaning-up this year!!!

Diamond Rankings

Now that the smoke has cleared from CigarFest 2008, here are my rankings of the local high school baseball and softball teams. Records are as of Saturday.

BASEBALL
1. Valley West (9-1) 4A
2. Old Forge (10-1) 1A
3. West Scranton (8-2) 3A
4. Wallenpaupack (8-2) 4A
5. Scranton Prep (7-3) 3A
6. Berwick (7-3) 3A
7. Pittston Area (8-3) 3A
8. Coughlin (7-4) 3A
9. Carbondale (9-1) 2A
10. GAR (8-1) 2A
Teams to watch: Lake Lehman (8-2), Riverside (7-3), Hanover (8-1), Carbondale (9-1), Elk Lake (8-3), Abington Heights (7-3), Dunmore (7-3)

SOFTBALL
1. Hazleton (8-3) 4A
2. Old Forge (9-1) 1A
3. Carbondale (9-1) 2A
4. Blue Ridge (9-1) 1A
5. Dallas (8-2) 3A
6. Delaware Valley (9-1) 4A
7. Abington Heights (9-1) 4A
8. Mid Valley (9-3) 2A
9. Nanticoke (7-3) 2A
10. Valley View (6-2) 2A
Teams to watch: Tunkhannock (7-2), Lake-Lehman (8-1) 2A, Northwest (9-1) 1A, West (7-3), Honesdale (7-3).

And NO-BODY told us what to do...

NOT EVEN JONATHAN DREW!!!!!

The first meeting of Father Nick's Cigar Club was a rounding success.

After a few minor glitches to start the day - we left the tickets in Old Forge and didn't realize it 'til we were at Split Rock Lodge - a great day was had by all. We met Jonathan Drew, Rocky Patel and Marvin Samuel, and got some great stuff for the FNCC home.

We smoked, smoked and smoked some more as we sat at the Acid/Drew Estates table for the majority of the day. The new Acid Deep Dish was outstanding and may have become the co-official cigar of the FNCC along with Red Army favorite - Gurkha.

Look for future updates from Father Nick's Cigar Club!!!

For more pictures, go to.... http://www.flickr.com/photos/bludvls79/

Who's gonna tell us what to do?

NO ONE!!!! THAT'S WHO!!!!!

First meeting called!!!

The first meeting of the newly formed Father Nick's Cigar Club will meet on Saturday, May 3 at 8 a.m. in the parking lot of Arcaro and Genell's.

The Club will then travel to Split Rock Lodge for the annual pilgrimage to Cigar International's CigarFest. Some members have attained VIH tickets and will be there all day.

Smoke 'em if you got 'em!

The Easy version...

If you got confused reading the diatribe from Mooch below, here is his shortened version which he emailed me - a novice.

TALE OF EKATI might be worth a bet at 20-1 and I like him some today, but the post position draw is so important in this race. But maybe we'll just bet the six.

Put $2 on five horses and hope for the best:
TALE OF EKATI (20-1)
COURT VISION (20-1)
COWBOY CAL (20-1)
Z HUMOR (40-1)B
IG TRUCK (40-1)

You'll probably lose, but you get 5 chances to quadruple your cash. And then you can slap me when you're broke.

Derby Winners.... from MOOCH!!!

After months of watching and reporting about the events leading up to the Derby, it is my conclusion that this is the toughest assignment a handicapper could be presented with, deciphering who will run big in the Kentucky Derby on May 3. Many have decent credentials, but most lack in overall quality at this time of their career. Young horses like these often improve in leaps and bounds as the spring begins, though, and I identified the cast of my main contenders.

You must start with PYRO, the mega-impressive colt who dusted his foes in Louisiana this spring for trainer Steve Asmussen. It surely helps that the son of Grade 1 winner Pulpit has been stabled with superhorse Curlin for much of his life, and it looks like some of that greatness has rubbed off on the three-year-old. He possesses a lethal late kick and has been brilliant on dirt, but his latest was a head-scratcher, when he finished well back in the Bluegrass Stakes over a synthetic oval. There is no questioning his brilliance, he is a striking individual and he oozes with class; he would not shock on Derby Day. Verdict: He has some holes and smells of a homerun or strikeout artist, but the colt is surely worth the risk at an overlaid expected price of 8-1.

BIG BROWN is the enigma in the field for conditioner Richard Dutrow, and it’s hard to know exactly what to do with the lightly-raced son of Boundary. A dominant winner in all three of his lifetime starts including a whitewashing in the Florida Derby last out, the chestnut is something of a freak of nature but three main questions arise: Does he have enough seasoning? How far can he carry his wealth of speed? Are his chronic foot issues behind him? A win by Big Brown would not come as a shock because of his ridiculous amount of ability, but he’s a shaky proposition as the surefire favorite. He might be that good, but he must overcome 70 years of history for the IEAH syndicate. Verdict: Brown could run them into the ground and draw off, or he might be compromised by greenness and finish unplaced. He could also be our only hope of a Triple Crown.

ADRIANO did little in his only dirt event in the Fountain of Youth when breaking from the 12 post, but the son of A.P. Indy is a monster on turf and synthetic, and he would surely be a huge factor if he took to the Churchill oval. Trained by expert horseman Graham Motion, the colt is bred to run all day and could offer the best value among the contenders. This wouldn’t be the worst stab in the world at 10-1 or more. He represents the value play, especially with Prado, who chose the colt over numerous other top threats. Verdict: More than worth it if he handles the dirt, but he could never be heard from if he doesn’t.

COLONEL JOHN is the king of the west and comes off a visually impressive win in the Santa Anita Derby for former Bob Baffert-assistant, Eoin Harty. The offspring of Tiznow is a model of consistency and is bred to handle the grueling 10 furlongs at Churchill. The biggest question mark hovering over the colt is his lack of a start on a conventional dirt surface. He may be slightly overbet, but the WinStar homebred gives the impression of a horse with a high cruising speed that should finish in the top four. Verdict: The safest and most logical play in here in the 6-1 range, but he’s more workmanlike than brilliant and I’ll let him beat me.

COWBOY CAL is another in the Adriano mold and remains a big mystery on the dirt. The well-bred Todd Pletcher trainee has the pedigree, the looks and a world of talent, to go along with the top connections in the game right now. The son of Giant’s Causeway is the one of only two horses (the other hasn’t raced since September, such is life) I bet upon in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager in Vegas, as I got 120-1 on him in early January, so he’s one of my rooting interests. He was a game second in the Bluegrass Stakes most recently. Verdict: I hope he wins, and he’ll more than likely be among the early tempo, if not on the lead in the 20-1 range.

I believe that DENINS OF CORK has as much potential as most of this field, but he’s hard to gauge due to his potential lack of fitness. The son of Harlan’s Holiday will be a popular play on Derby Day for those who study the Ragozin Sheets and he’s an obvious top three threat with anything close to his best. We predict he gets bet down to 10-1. Verdict: He wouldn’t be the worst play in the world on ability alone, if you’re willing to overlook his fifth-place finish in the Illinois Derby.

TALE OF EKATI is the final horse that I feel could conceivably win. He’s bred for greatness, had a good gut-wrenching prep for this and is trained by Barclay Tagg. MONBA (Maria’s Mon) comes off a brave win in the Bluegrass for Pletcher and is bred to run all day. The gray colt was a winner at Churchill at two and he comes in sharp. Verdict: Both of these are on the fringes for me.

For those looking for a few longshots to complete your exactas, trifectas and superfectas, we have dropped a few intriguing names for your reading pleasure:

COOL COAL MAN was also synthetic-ized in the Blue Grass Stakes but he seems like a perfect candidate to get a small piece of the pie for Zito. The son of champion Mineshaft captured the Fountain of Youth in impressive fashion and has the kind of push-button acceleration (think Pyro but less explosive) that should give him a chance with his best. I personally question his stamina and overall ability, but he’ll have every chance to be in it late with a career showing. The blue blood will likely be at least 15-1, possibly as high as 30-1.

I have been fixated with Z HUMOR since February, but I can’t exactly tell you why. He’s been average this campaign, posting a fifth, fourth and third for Hall of Fame conditioner Bill Mott. His speed numbers are on the slow side, like most of his competitors, and he wasn’t great as a juvenile. Produced from a daughter of tremendous stamina influence A. P. Indy, himself a son of the incomparable Seattle Slew, Z Humor has the right one-paced running style, connections and pedigree that could net him a third of fourth-place finish to balloon the exotics.

Trainer Barclay Tagg, of Funny Cide fame, has a pair of entrants in here, but he’s been touting BIG TRUCK since day one and we have the follow the brilliant horseman’s words. Sporting the least pedigree of the duo, the New York-bred has taken on all comers and is the type that could one-pace his way into a third or fourth-place finish. A Tagg-trained New York-bred, haven’t we read this storyline in the recent past?

SMOOTH AIR was moving beautifully down the lane in the Florida Derby in his prep for this and has never run a bad one for 72-year-old conditioner Bennie Stutts. The Florida-bred’s pedigree suggests he has no chance to handle the testing ten furlongs, although his past performances suggest otherwise. He’s another who should be 30-1 at the very least.

As for the others, you’ll find some nice horses in here that I simply couldn’t add to my list, but have ample credentials in their own right.

GAYEGO has done little wrong for Brazilian conditioner Paulo Lobo, finishing first or second in every start of his career, capped by a solid win in the Arkansas Derby last out. Many, including myself, question his pedigree in hopes of running ten furlongs, but he’s razor sharp and very consistent.

COURT VISION was at the top of my list after the Fountain of Youth, but I was disappointed in the colt’s progression (or lack thereof) in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct last out, sitting well off a frenetic pace which he prefers, but never kicking into high gear. He has many positives, including trainer Bill Mott, but his Speed figures are not up to par at this point.

VISIONAIRE, winner of the Gotham Stakes two prior, has a solid late kick but is a huge mystery at ten furlongs. His connections are second to none and he should have a ton of fitness, but could I’m not sure that he can pass 15 horses in the final half-mile.

RECAPTURETHEGLORY romped in the Illinois Derby but has a questionable pedigree and lacks the experience of most of his foes. The colt could be prominent early, and he’d need a career effort from there to finish in the top three.

ANAK NAKAL won a stakes race here as a freshman but has yet to hit the board since. We can’t include or suggest him.

BOB BLACK JACK is fast but has also never raced on dirt, and it almost inconceivable of him getting 1 ¼ miles in May.

The filly EIGHT BELLES is a talent, no question, but she’d be far from a sure thing in the Kentucky Oaks, where she likely belongs. She’s no Rags to Riches.

PROUD SPELL is another filly who has thrown her hat in the ring. The daughter of Proud Citizen is an admirable performer who has won or placed in each of her lifetime tries, but she’s no Rags to Riches, either.

HALO NAJIB has logged a lot of miles since starting his career in October, and he’s one of the few runners in here who I could confidently say has the fitness to attempt this daunting task. He’d still be a major surprise, nonetheless.

BEHINDATTHEBAR has a ton of ability and cruised home a courageous winner of the Lexington Stakes in advance of this, but the Pletcher pupil has never won on dirt and is a real question mark at this distance.

There is excellent money in the exacta in a race like this and it’s a fun play that gives you multiple rooting interests. My $1 exacta box play would consist of:

Let’s box Pyro, Big Brown, Adriano, Cowboy Cal, Colonel John, Tale of Ekati and Denis of Cork (for a cost of $42). The average exacta payout over the past five years is more than $2,100.

The trifecta in the Kentucky Derby is not for the faint of heart, as it’s a daunting task to determine any outcome, especially with so many questions this year. This has to be regarded, to anyone who has opened a racing program within the last decade, as one of the more difficult assignments in Derby history. Varying surfaces, lack of overall quality, mostly questionable breeding for the distance, et al. cloud the picture. Here goes my $1 trifecta:

Denis of Cork, Pyro, Big Brown

With

Denis of Cork, Pyro, Big Brown, Adriano, Tale of Ekati, Colonel John, Cowboy Cal, Monba

With

Denis of Cork, Pyro, Big Brown, Adriano, Tale of Ekati, Colonel John, Cowboy Cal, Court Vision, Gayego, Big Truck, Smooth Air, Z Humor, Cool Coal Man, Monba, Visionaire

$273….that’s a pretty expensive ticket but maybe worth the risk, considering that the average trifecta over the past five years has generated a payout of more than $29,000. My advice would be to split a ticket of this nature among a handful or so of friends and have some fun! Thank me if you win, but just don’t blame me if you lose.

Doctor K

Kyle McMyne did it again.

The senior right-hander fanned double-digit batters for the fourth times this season when he sat down 14 Cougars in a 4-0 victory over Valley View on Thursday.

McMyne now has 58 strikeouts in five games on the hill for the Blue Devils

Dooley's Bitz?

Sportsmanship

This would never happen in Old Forge!