Strokes Hall of Fame

Here is the page dedicated to the members of the Strokes Softball Hall of Fame.



 Updates

4/2/2011
Bob Golden was inducted into the Strokes Softball Hall of Fame


8/16/2009
Jack Backert, Ed Ferrandi, Mike Mulqueen, Jeff Heinze and Bob Lynch were  inducted into the Strokes Softball Hall of Fame.




Here are the current members of the Strokes Softball Hall of Fame

#16 Bob Golden    1991 - 2010

Bob Golden.

I met Bob Golden when he was playing on the Essex prison team in Dundalk. Still to this day, I'm not sure why he was playing on that team since he was the only player without a criminal record...that I know of. Once he got his parole, he quickly jumped ship and joined the Strokes Softball team and the rest is history. Bob was the type of player that wore his emotions on his sleeve. He wanted to win more than anyone but when the game was over he knew the best part of being on a team, was the team itself. Bob was the most versatile player I ever played with or against. He could play any position on the field, and play it better than most. I'll never forgot the time he played every position on the field in a single game, it was like a Bugs Bunny cartoon. This is quite hard to do since there's ten positions and only seven innings. He actually played three outfield positions in the same inning and also made a put out in each position. This has to be some type of a record.
Bob was a pure softball hitter and would lead the team in batting average every year. He could hit any ball that was pitched to right field for a line drive base hit. Even if the opposing outfielders would bunch the right side, it wouldn't matter, he would still hit it between them. I could go on about Bob's softball abilities but the most the important thing he brought to the team was his friendship. His softball days are over but his friendship will last an eternity. Bob, it's my honor to announce your induction to the Strokes Hall of Fame. Now the Hall is complete.

Written by - Ed Ferrandi HOF '09

#32 Frank Cullen    1992-1997

Frank Cullen
Old Man, Sac King, Automatic
There comes a time in a softball player’s life when he has to realize the body will not move like it once did. Like when he was a young man just starting out. Like when he was a rookie. The mind is still there, but it seems the legs and arms are made out of stone. The mind says "I can compete with younger players," but the body says "no way." This is called RETIREMENT.
Frank Cullen, at the age of 67 decided it was his time to retire. Frank is one of the best players I know in the game. Frank earned a lot of nicknames during the years that he played, like "old man," and " sac king," but the best one is "automatic." He earned "automatic" because of his base hit in the six hole. Any time you needed a hit, look for Frank. Any time you needed a sac, look for Frank. And any time you needed a friend, look for Frank. The reason that Frank Cullen is one of the best players I know isn’t because of his .554 lifetime average, or his one lifetime home run. It’s because he’s a great person. Anytime someone needed to get in the game, Frank was always the first guy to say "take me out." Anytime you needed to pinch hit for him, he never said a word. Frank is a gamer. He wants to win more then anyone , but he wants to win the right way: as a team. Frank is team. This is why it’s very fitting that Frank Cullen is the first person to be elected to the STROKES SOFTBALL Hall of Fame. His number 32 is also retired like the old man himself.
Frank, the sundaes are on me.
Welcome to The Strokes Hall Of Fame
Written by Ed Ferrandi

#02 Joe Sacha     1991-1997

#12  Jim Sacha     1991-1996

#29 Ed Ferrandi       1988 - 2003

 Ed Ferrandi
AKA - Fast Cat Ed, Shoeless Ed Ferrandi, Fast Eddie, Cool Cat Ed, and Lets play 6 Ed Ferrandi
Ed joined the team in the fall of the first year. At this point it was Steve and I and 9 guys I worked with. We weren't very good. I was at a party and was talking to this guy in MC Hammer pants about softball and that I had a game the next morning. He said he played baseball and would love to play. His name was Ed Ferrandi. He came out the next morning along with his best friend Jack Backert. We won the first game, lost the 2nd game but this is really when Strokes was born. Ed and Jack along with Mike Mulqueen a few weeks later became "the core" of Strokes.
Ed loved softball more than anyone I have ever known. He was the fastest person that ever played for Strokes. He started out as our 2nd basemen but was so fast we eventually moved him to the outfield. He was amazing and what he lacked in size he made up for in speed and more heart than you could ever want in a team mate and friend.  He had power too. He was 135 lbs wet but had almost as much power as Jack and some of the other power hitters. Teams that didn't know us would see him come to the plate and move in and he would hit it over their heads. They would move back and he would either gap it or still hit it over their heads.
Ed was the face of the team. Everyone knew Ed. I still run into people today and they ask about him. Even if they didn't know his name, they always say. "Does that really fast little guy still play for you?"
Ed and I became great friends and to this day I consider him one of my best friends and team mates that I have ever had. He is always welcome as a player, a coach and a friend of Strokes.
Welcome to The Strokes Hall Of Fame
Written by Dave Woods

 #7 Jack Backert      1988 - 2002

 Jack Backert
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit.
~Al Gallagher, 1971
Jack Backert played for Strokes Softball team from 1988 to 2002 . Jack was a great softball player, he had a rocket arm, very good speed and the sweetest swing you’ve ever seen. His power was incredible for someone his size. From his very 1st at bat to his last, he was our four hitter with good reason. He could flat out HIT! He was a great team player and wanted to win as much as any one. I can go on and on about how great his skills are but that’s not what made Jack Special. It was his love for his family.
Jack was born and raised in Parkville Md. where he had 2 brothers and 3 sisters. That’s where his parents taught him about the importance of family values.  He used those values on and off the softball field. Jack treated everyone with the utmost respect and had your back like you were his own brother. When Jack played for strokes it was like the whole team was part of his extended family. That’s how he made you feel.
Jack now lives in Cecil County were he raises his own Family. He still plays a little softball for his Church team between coaching the kid’s soccer team and being a Great Dad! It is my pleasure to announce your induction to the Strokes Hall of Fame. You are everything that Strokes stands for. I think I can speak for the whole team when I say it’s been an honor to play on the same field as you. Thanks!!!!
Your Great Friend
Fast Eddie
Welcome to The Strokes Hall Of Fame
Written by Ed Ferrandi

#00 Mike Mulqueen    1988 - 2002

#13 Jeff Heinze      1993 - 2002

#4 Bob Lynch          1997 - 2001

 Dave
I wanted to write you a brief note and say thank you again for this evening. Playing with strokes was a huge part of my life and has had a large impact on what I do and who I am today. To be recognized by your peers is what I consider to be one of the greatest feathers you can get for your cap.
If there is ever a strokes reunion game, or something like that, I would look forward to attending.
On a side note, that was a classy proposal this evening. I cant beleive I was there to see it. I didnt get a chance to talk long, but I was mighty impressed with your  girl. You deserve somebody like her.
Stay in touch.
Bob Lynch