MARLBOUROUGH (July 6, 2006) -- MetroWest Adult Baseball League legend Larry Rosoff announced his
unofficial retirement from the league today. Rosoff, the second-best player-manager in Marlborough
Indians history (to Hall of Famer Mike Kelly) is moving to San Diego to spend more time with his
family and to devote more effort to writing hate mail to the Fidelity board of directors.
The 51-year-old Rosoff went out on top, logging his final league at-bats in last week’s all-star
tilt. In a fitting microcosm of his career with the Indians, Larry singled and scored a run in
helping lead the American League to 9-6 loss.
Rosoff’s 10-year MABL career was marked by controversy, including a number of run-ins with umpires,
teammates, and the handful of fans who used to attend Indians’ games. But it was his adept handling
of the pitching staff – primarily by not allowing himself on the mound – that was the hallmark of
his career as Indians’ manager.
While Larry’s record as manager was well below .500, he did manage to lead the Indians to their
only playoff win and back-to-back .500 records in his final two years at the helm. If mediocrity
were the goal, the Indians succeeded in most of Larry’s seven years in charge.
(In all fairness to Larry – and perhaps an indictment of the current regime – the Indians were
32-22 in Larry’s final three years compared with this year’s 2-6 start.)
Rosoff was a notorious contact hitter, striking out rarely and usually hitting for average.
(Charges that Larry, as manager, doctored the scorebooks to improve these stats have never been
proven.) Throughout his career, until age intervened in recent years, Larry was surprisingly quick
on the bases. This despite a hunched-over running style described by one teammate as “like a
fleeing tortoise holding desperately onto its shell.”
The Indians honored Larry with a going-away party last winter – toasting him, thanking him for the
incredible effort he put into the job, and securing the team finances before he hit the road. When
Larry didn’t actually leave as scheduled, despite offers from teammate Mike Giordano to purchase
the plane ticket, the Indians held several other going-away parties for Larry, some of which his
teammates actually attended.
Tom Pare, a teammate of Larry’s for five years, said he’ll remember Larry most for the aggressive
style of managing. “I’ve never had a manager whose signs I enjoyed ignoring more than Larry’s,” said
Pare.
Long-time teammate Jack Buchanan added, “What I’ll miss most about Larry is his smile.”
Though he is leaving the Indians, Larry left an indelible mark on the club and its players. Rookie
pitcher-infielder Dave Prybyla said, “I learned everything I know about baseball from Larry. I don’t
know how I played Division I ball before I met him.”
Larry has not closed the door on a comeback, saying he’d welcome the opportunity to make an
inspirational return to the Indians if they would fly him back for the playoffs. Co-manager Jerry
Guerra all but ruled out that possibility, however, saying, “For the $600 it would take to get him
back here we could buy a couple of ringers for the playoffs. But if he wants to spring for the flight,
he’s always welcome if we need him.”
Larry and his dog “Boo” set out for their cross-country jaunt in his Saab convertible – which may or
may not have been supplied by the team – on Saturday, July 8. Please wish Larry all the best in his
journey and in the future.
Anyone who wants to wish Larry a bon voyage…or harass him incessantly…can contact him at
larryrosoff@yahoo.com.