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“AND THE WINNER IS …”

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BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, HAPPY NEW YEAR’S EVE, 2018) — THE PLANET is thrilled to announce the winner of this year’s coveted ORBIT AWARD.

Before we announce the victor, let us thank the Selection Committee (SC) for their stalwart work, taking the time as they did from their attentions both prior to and after the Syracuse Orange’s football pummeling of the West Virginia Mountaineers, 34-18. The Orange rose to the occasion when it mattered the most in a clutch 4th quarter that belong up there in the ‘Cuse’s storied football annals. In a way, the win in its own way glorifies the SC’s choice, for he himself faced the-then Orangemen several times in old Archbold Stadium.

And the winner is …

… Chuck Garivaltis.

The SC selected Garivaltis on the basis of his cogent remarks on this board. They also gave weight to his past decades of service to the city of Pittsfield, going back to the 1950s. In the mid-1950s, Chuck first made his name on the playing fields and sandlots of the city. THE PLANET still rates him as the best all-around pure hitter ever to come from the Berkshires, a group that includes major leaguers Gene Hermanski, Dale Long, and Tommy Grieve. He starred in the outfield for the Generals of PHS, with his future Colgate roomie Larry Bossidy anchoring the rotation. At Colgate, Chuck played baseball and was a two-way starter, playing halfback on “O” and defensive back on “D.” He’s probably the only man (one of the few, at least) to bring down Jimmy Brown with an open-field solo tackle.

The tackle on Brown has ascended into myth. A few years back, we asked CG to recount the moment while we both looked at the photo [EDITOR’S NOTE: TECHNICAL REASONS PREVENTED US FROM REPUBLISHING THE PHOTO HERE; WE TRIED BUT THE GREMLINS SAID “NO”]

“Everyone who sees this photo asks me if I got him. Indeed I did. Notice the caption says he gained 11 yards. I was defensive left halfback and if he got by me he would have gone 70 yards for a touchdown. Notice his look of determination. I got him in the knees and he went down. One of the few times he [ever] went down with a single tackle.

“If I had hit Jim above the waist he would have carried me forward for another 10 yards or plowed me over and went for another 70 yards. I saw many pros wind up on their backs when they hit him above the waist. Notice the blocking. The play was designed for Jim to take the inside route. I was to be blocked to the outside and the route cleared to the inside. Notice other Syracuse blocks. Jim made his move to the inside expecting the blocker to take me out. I had to wave the blocker off and watch Jim, who expected his blocker to take me out clearing his way to the end zone. He was now a step away coming full speed. That’s 6’2″ 220 pounds at full speed. So it was get rid of the blocker and take a step forward in a crouch so I could hit him in the knees. Talk about split second timing.”

Chuck was a two-time (consecutive) selection to the prestigious Heart New England All Star Game, played at Fenway Park. Each year, the Hearst team chose the top 38 ballplayers from all of New England. How do you top that? By winning the batting crown two years in a row at the nationally acclaimed AABA Tournament, hitting an otherworldly .483 in 1952 and following it up with a .625 average. His lifetime .533 mark in the tourney, played to this day, still stands. No other hitter has won two battings crowns. And by the way, playing with him during those years was an outfielder named Al Kaline. Maybe you heard of him.

———- ooo ———-

More than a collectible.

After college, Chuck spent two years in the New York-San Francisco Giants organization, playing with future Jint stars Felipe Alou and Jose Pagan. Then it was off the Chicago then Boston as a rising marketing executive for Revlon. But as fate would have it,  family matters called him home, and there he stayed, taking over management of the old Pickwick Hotel on West Street. He would go from there into real estate and city politics, serving as a councilor, member of the school committee, parks commissioner, and mayoral candidate. For many years, just as with Peter Arlos, nearly all of the city and county’s would seek his advice. Including THE PLANET. We’ve had four local political mentors: The Aging Greek God, the redoubtable Mary Flynn of Stockbridge, and Chuck.

If this sounds like hero worship, well, it is.

THE PLANET fully agrees with the selection of Chuck as this year’s ORBIT winner. We shall be having the pleasure soon of hosting him for breakfast at the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, a venue fit for this man of distinction, a man we are proud to call a long-time personal hero (that word again) and — more importantly — friend (one of the English language’s best words).

We thank all those who participated not only in this year’s ORBIT but also contributed through their readership to the popularity of this site. Won’t you join me in extending congrats and good wishes to this solid, decent man.

Let’s ring out 2018 with thanks.

Let’s ring in 2019 with the determination to improve.

Go forward.

Make it new.

————————————————————————————————————–

I can spin on a nickel and spit out the change” — Sir Tiberius Fruitjuice.

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

The views and opinions expressed in the comment section or in the text other than those of PLANET VALENTI are not necessarily endorsed by the operators of this website. PLANET VALENTI assumes no responsibility for such views and opinions, and it reserves the right to remove or edit any comment, including but not limited to those that violate the website’s Rules of Conduct and its editorial policies. PLANET VALENTI shall not be held responsible for the consequences that may result from any posted comment or outside opinion or commentary as provided in Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and this website’s terms of service. All users of this website — including readers, commentators, contributors, or anyone else making use of its information hereby agree to these conditions by virtue of this notice. When PLANET VALENTI ends with the words “The Usual Disclaimer,” that phrase shall be understood to refer to the full text of this disclaimer.

 

 

 

 

 

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Cicero
Cicero
5 years ago

I do not know Chuck at all (beyond a few comment exchanges here) and did not know much about his background before this column. But I am always moved to learn about lives that have been well lived and Chuck’s certainly qualifies.

You made a wise choice, Dan.

Chuck, congrats and all the best in 2019.

Johnny99
Johnny99
5 years ago

Mr. Garivaltis,

Congratulations on your selection as The 2018 Orbiteer Awardee.

dusty
dusty
5 years ago

Congratulations Chuck. You stand tall among us.

Magic
Magic
5 years ago

Congratulations Chuck – Happy New Year to you and yours

Chuck Garivaltis
Chuck Garivaltis
5 years ago

I want to thank the Selection Committee and The Planet for honoring me with this years ORBIT AWARD.

To those who have sent congratulatory messages to me, Cicero, Johnny99, Dusty, and Magic, I thank you very much.

I am thrilled to be the recipient of this coveted award. I do look upon it as an award and I am thrilled to be chosen.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all.

Juicy Lucy
Juicy Lucy
Reply to  Chuck Garivaltis
5 years ago

GREEK GOD.

Chuck Garivaltis
Chuck Garivaltis
Reply to  Juicy Lucy
5 years ago

Wow! Maybe used to be, not sure about now.

Nice nickname, “Juicy”.

Thomas More
Thomas More
Reply to  Chuck Garivaltis
5 years ago

Congrats Chuck – If Hammerin’ Hank was still with us I’m sure he’d be thrilled.

Chuck Garivaltis
Chuck Garivaltis
Reply to  Thomas More
5 years ago

Wasn’t Hammerin’ something,Tom? We miss guys like him. It was Pittsfield in another day.

The school committee
The school committee
5 years ago

There could be no other choice. Congratulations to Chuck and Happy New Year to all.

Barbados
Barbados
5 years ago

Great choice DV and Planet. Ive never met Chuck but have heard much about him. I congratulate him. He’s the kind of solid guy that made the city what it was. Amazed to learn about his abilities as a footballer and baseball star.

Joe Pinhead
Joe Pinhead
5 years ago

Congratulations to Chuck and the SC on such a wise choice.
Good news is we here on the Planet have all been the benefactors of his wisdom via his posts.

Congratulations Chuck

Happy New year to All

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
5 years ago

Congratulations, Chuck! You’re one of Pittsfield’s best people! I admire people whose hearts are in the right place.

dusty
dusty
5 years ago

Just checked the raidsonline.com website for Pittsfield. Your mayor is not likely to be talking about what you will see on this site at her state of the city address next week. But be aware Pittsfield is a dangerous, scary place to live. And make sure you lock your shit up because the walking dead are roaming about at all times looking to steal your stuff. The odds are increasing every day that you will become a victim yourself. Stay alert.

CosbiesLadies
CosbiesLadies
5 years ago

The following mechanism helps us understand what is happening

Each time the code makes a function call, Python puts information on the “call stack”, including
All values of parameters and local variables
The location in the code where the function call is being made.
Python then makes the function call, switching execution to the start of the called function.
This function in turn can make additional (potentially recursive) function calls, adding information to the top of the stack each time.
When a function ends, Python looks at the top of the stack, and
restores the values of the local variables and parameters of the most recent calling function,
removes this information from the top of the stack,
inserts the returned value of the called function (if any) in the appropriate location of the calling function’s code, and
continues execution from the location where the call was made.

The Readers Chice Award goes to Art Seller..Congrats Chuck on the Orbit.

Mr. Fritz
Mr. Fritz
Reply to  CosbiesLadies
5 years ago

Art,
Now you’ve resorted to giving yourself an award?! Pathetic.

Congrats Chuck on the honors – you deserve it!

Shakes
Shakes
Reply to  Mr. Fritz
5 years ago

It’s been almost a year since the g-man’s lawsuit against the eagle was thrown out of court because he admitted he was drunk just like the Eagle said he was. Unfortunately to have your character defamed you have to have some character to begin with.

H
H
Reply to  Shakes
5 years ago

Great for you Chuck, on the Award.Anyone who tackles Jim Brown in the open field and can still remember it deserves an award.Don’t think you were quite in the G Mans league though.

Shakes
Shakes
Reply to  H
5 years ago

We should give the G-man an award when his 30 month suspended sentence for breaking into a car is over.

Lokel Yokel
Lokel Yokel
Reply to  Mr. Fritz
5 years ago

G Man got an award from former Mayor Charlie Smith. Saved us hundred million and more. Name an achievement the Mayor has, other than spending millions of tax payer dollars? Good job Chuck !

Shakes
Shakes
Reply to  Lokel Yokel
5 years ago

Is that like when he threatened to kill a city employee?

H
H
Reply to  Shakes
5 years ago

Congrats to Chuck on the Orbit, and the G Man The Coveted Readers Choice Award. And of course, the Goldigger Award to Tyler.

Mr. Fritz
Mr. Fritz
Reply to  Shakes
5 years ago

There is no readers choice award, you buffoon. Only a complete narcissist would award himself a non-existent title.

H
H
5 years ago

Congratulations my man Chuck. You are in good company.,,Pete White et al. DOW DOWn biggest annual drop since 2008.Great job Scump.

Shakes
Shakes
5 years ago

Congrats Chuck.

H
H
5 years ago

Where’s Pat,poor sport, ignoring the Orbit Winner.

Minister of Intoxication
Minister of Intoxication
5 years ago

Nice try to the G Man And congrants to him on the Readers Choice Award.. And congrats to Chuck on his Orbit..we’ll Be at Taconic for the State of Pitty and cat calls will be the theme.

May Hemm
May Hemm
Reply to  danvalenti
5 years ago

Yeah, she’ll be pointing her finger and telling us all how great it is. In the backdrop will be all the bootlickers, who should be ashamed of themselves…Again thanks for the Planet and can’t wait for the next story, should be an interesting month for sure. And of course great choice on the Orbit, the bar has now at its peak. Health to all in the New Year everyone.A d thanks to Dan for the best site I’ve ever read.

dusty
dusty
Reply to  danvalenti
5 years ago

Uh oh Dan. If the mayor reads that you are going to be there she will be rewriting her speech. Take note to see if she stutters a bit when her eyes roam over to the press section of the audience.

Unwanted Carl
Unwanted Carl
5 years ago

The new Taconic Dumpsters suck, it’s too far from downtown anyway,what a shit hole.Way to go Chuck, well earned and Happy Happy New Year to everyone. Don’t throw any fucking signs in my Crib tonight.

mi
mi
5 years ago

Dan, here’s the jig, new tenants at Beacon,wayfair,Tyler st.pickle ball,new canoe route,all money costs to taxpayer and rate payer, and St. Mary’s bullshit,no accomplishments.

Halo
Halo
5 years ago

Happy New Year to dusty and spagirl, two of my favorites over the years.And congratulations on the Obit Chuck,love you.And Dan, simply put,you are the man,want to see the General come summer.

Spagirl
Spagirl
Reply to  Halo
5 years ago

Halo
Thankyou, that is kind. Wishing you a very Happy New Year!

Unwanted Carl
Unwanted Carl
5 years ago

Stop throwing colt forty five cans and Harringbone signs in my crib, w t f? I’m just trying to survive in this box tonight.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
5 years ago

I wish the lovely Linda Tyer a Happy New Year of 2019 where I hope she will be re-elected Mayor of Pittsfield! I believe the lovely Linda Tyer is the best Mayor of Pittsfield EVER! If I lived in my native hometown of Pittsfield, I would attend her speech on 1/7. I fully support her in Pittsfield politics! She believes in all the great ideals that I believe in, such as Human Rights, economic opportunity for workers, and a safe, inclusive, vibrant, and dynamic community that will progress forward in a positive way.3

I dislike all of the Gaetani propaganda because it is all negative! Similar to the late Peter Arlos, he is a false savior for Pittsfield. Moreover, he only receives a couple hundred votes when he runs for local office. No one takes him seriously!

VOTE for Linda Tyer in 2019!

– Jonathan Melle

Johnny Absurd
Johnny Absurd
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
5 years ago

Well she sure believed in Mr. Stanley. They both have very itch free backs from all the mutual scratching.

Spagirl
Spagirl
5 years ago

Happy New Year to the Planet, and every one on this board. May you have good health, a little more wealth, and happiness in 2019.
Congratulations, Chuck!

The school committee
The school committee
5 years ago

Mayor Tyer is Ruberto handpicked next mayor.She is polite and she is happy She is smart and she is relentless,she like a lot of people show no discipline when it come to money.She has enough money ,my money ,your money and it all to easy to spend others money.We need McCandless to cut 3% from his budget.We need consolidation.We need a council that make disciplined money decisions at home to run.Our Seniors need relief so they can get their life back.She and this council will never show discipline in managing money.

Acute Angina
Acute Angina
Reply to  The school committee
5 years ago

Thanks Mario.

Trump Fellas
Trump Fellas
5 years ago

Wonder if he has a pre-nup?

Ron Kitterman
Ron Kitterman
5 years ago

What an excellent choice for the orbit award, Congratulations to Chuck Garivaltis! A true gentleman for sure. He’s seen the sun orbit the planet since Guy Lombardo was wearing short pants, but looks younger than Dick Clark.

Unwanted Carl
Unwanted Carl
5 years ago

Man what a rough night, wind howling
kept me up,hopefully some food will be tossed my way at the state of the city.Will the Mayor be wearing her boots? Love those boots.

Dr. Krafto
Dr. Krafto
5 years ago

Art Seller is the true weiner.

u
u
5 years ago

Art Seller what a magnificent display of Sportsmanship by Not contesting the tally of the Obert,a great philanthropically dear,truly contratialeyou in the Reedes vgoide, the most prestigious awa d given in western mass and beyond.

Cassie Altwalters
Cassie Altwalters
5 years ago

Sorry for not he Man spellIng.

Trump Fellas
Trump Fellas
5 years ago

Nice try our is it ms. Alwaters. Aha.

Art Seller
Art Seller
Reply to  Trump Fellas
5 years ago

Happy new year planet posters. Just returned from holiday. I can see some people missed me and some took the time to chastise me. Oh well. I spoke to the Gman and he plans to continue to kill the 74 million dollar over prised sewer project. Let’s recap what the Gman has done for the ratepayers of this city in the past 34 years. He saved us 116 million dollars when he built the water plants in the 80,s. In the past 34 years he has saved another 50 million dollars in reduced water and sewer rates. Today, he is trying to save us another 28 million dollars at the sewer plant. Why hasn’t he been able to realize this last 28 million dollar saving?? Well think shakes fritz still wondering Jonathan melle acute angina lachs lounge etc. For each of these ass holes there are many more like them in this city. There also is many good people on this board and in the city who truly appreciate the Gman’s efforts. When the Gman ran for mayor he had to fend off trumped up charges against him that were false in nature. He has turned one case over already when someone tried to say that he stole a title to a car that wasn’t his. He has the parties for perjury and he now has their fates in his hands. Two other baseless cases involving the fire dept and the eagle will be coming up soon. Runing for office was costly to the Gman but he just keeps on moving forward trying to help the taxpayer. The Gman was happy to hear that Mr. Garavaltis won the award and he himself was hoping Mr. Garavaltis would win it. The Gman and Mr. Garavaltis go way back and the Gman use to shine Mr. Garavalatis’s shoes in the Gman’s fathers barber shop 60 years ago. The Gman sends his regards Mr. Garavaltis. Mr. Gaetani told me to tell all of you that he will do everything in his power to insure you aren’t robed with these water and sewer projects. He says all of you can help yourself by contacting the mayor and council that you will hold them accountable if they do not look for less costly alternatives to these water and sewer projects happy new year everyone

Art seller
Art seller
Reply to  Art Seller
5 years ago

Dan I forgot to wish you and your family a happy new year and many more.

Art Seller
Art Seller
Reply to  Art seller
5 years ago

I’m losing my mind. And thank you to those who voted for me or Mr.gaetani to win an award. It is appreciated.

Lokel Yokel
Lokel Yokel
Reply to  Art Seller
5 years ago

Art,where did the G Man vacation? Nice achievements to you G Man. And Chuck, good for you. I think the Readers Choice comes with a cash award.

Art Seller
Art Seller
Reply to  Lokel Yokel
5 years ago

Local yokel. The Gman never takes a vacation. He is too busy. But He loves his work and that’s all the vacation he needs. He has traveled All over the world but not as much lately. He use to go to China regularly but his work there has wrapped up. He is happy to be home trying to save the city residents around 28 million dollars. He has a charter boat service on lake Ontario which runs seven days a week and whenever he can find time he likes to go fishing. Fishing is done until June. He ice fishes in pittsfield during winter. The Gman has very simple taste even though he could afford anything his heart desires. Ironically the city’s attorney Richard Dahoney plans to fish with the Gman this summer. I’ll bet that surprises some on this board.

Bill DeWahl
Bill DeWahl
Reply to  Art Seller
5 years ago

The G man and Daphony are master baiters.

Shakes
Shakes
Reply to  Art Seller
5 years ago

The polar icecaps aren’t think enough to support the weight of the waterboy’s ego. Guaranteed if he steps on a Berkshire frozen pond, he gets wet.

Two Cents
Two Cents
Reply to  Lokel Yokel
5 years ago

Thanks for the link Shakes….It was a timely reminder of just how unstable the Gman is and why we should forgive all of his angry name calling here,

Johnny2Shoes
Johnny2Shoes
5 years ago

Congratulations Chuck on your well deserved and earned Orbit award. Now you can light up that Red Auerbach cigar.I can hear Johnny Most announcing your victory.

Halo
Halo
Reply to  Johnny2Shoes
5 years ago

Really, you knew Most,cool. Fiddle diddles now daddles, fiddles again. Annnd now daddles,he shoots and scores. Icetohear from Art who did pick up two Awards.

Johnny2Shoes
Johnny2Shoes
Reply to  Halo
5 years ago

Actually I had a few Molson Golden Ale beers with him on a Celtic cruise a tad early in the am with him. He was great.

Minister of Inoxicatio
Minister of Inoxicatio
5 years ago

Art,is the G Man going to the State of the City?

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
5 years ago

I am not an a-hole for not supporting Gaetani in Pittsfield politics. I find his supporters to be using propaganda, while also being very negative. He is a fringe candidate and everyone knows it!

Peter Arlos was seen as a savior of Pittsfield. BUT, how did that turn out for Pittsfield? Like Arlos, Gaetani plays on Pittsfield’s problems.

I support the positive and progressive messages from the lovely Linda Tyer!

– Jonathan Melle

u
u
5 years ago

Well give us some streets, then to close out New Year’s Day. Elizabeth Warren for Presiden.

Harlan RinkleNutts
Harlan RinkleNutts
5 years ago

That defies all logic.

Chuck Garivaltis
Chuck Garivaltis
5 years ago

Thank you, one and all, for your kind words. I appreciate it very much.

To The Planet and Dan, once again, thank you for this honor.

It is wonderful, and fun, reading these posts. Thanks to all.