That may sound like a ridiculous question considering there are more Ratto’s per capita in Alameda than there are championship pennants flying over Yankee Stadium.
The Ratto in question is Ray. Not to be confused with farmer Raymond Ratto or his son Ray, Jr. from the Gold Coast. No, we’re looking for the East Ender model. The brother of Denise. The shrill voice, who once rivaled “Sam” Spear for superior umpirical eloquence on Alameda’s sandlots.
Rumor has it that the legendary S.F. Chronclexaminer columnist once graced the bench of an ARPD park league team. Inquiring minds have made mention of such a sighting, however, we only list the facts here in Blogville. Ray will have to comment himself unless we get a credible witness like Jim Richardson to confirm his status as a former player. (Was he really kicked out of St. Philip Neri School in 6th grade for making book on CYO basketball games?)
Perhaps Ray is busy with Frank Deford attempting to resurrect The National. Or he may be deep in the bowels of The Tank water boarding Doug Wilson on why his Sharks pursue milk toast playoff mercenaries.
I do recall attending a California Golden Seals game with Ray and his cousins Donny and Steve (Ratto, in case you couldn’t figure that out). Fortunately, Donny knew where to drop me off after the game because Ray never took so much as a breath during his post-game diatribe over why top draft-pick Rick Hampton was a bust. I think I learned more hockey lore in one car ride than I had absorbed in the 15 years leading up to that point.
Hey Ray, drop us a line… or several hundred if you become bored with reporting the continuing saga of Fred Lewis.
Playball! - Alameda's Sandlot Blog 