Al Imbimbio, Jr.
Tony, Kenny, and Brian, I was saddened to learn of the passing of your Dad this past week. I have many treasured memories of He and Dad coaching Kenny & I in Little Ferry-South Hackensack Little League, Little Ferry Boys Club baseball games. I plan on posting this favorite memory on the Little Ferry site, but wanted to share it here as well.
When I was a 15 year old pitcher in the Babe Ruth League, my Dad, Hoach, was the manager and was vocal at best. But his sidekick was Coach Tony Giambagno, who religiously kept the book and was much quieter is his demeanor. But on this particular day, your Dad's way of doing thing worked best.
It was a Hot Summer Day and I was pitching to Kenny, while both of us were wearing our old grey wool uniforms, and the shirts were not too long in length. On this particular day, every few pitches, my shirt would come out of my pants and the umpire would yell out to me to tuck it in. This happened all throughout the game, until the umpire yelled out to me to tuck in my shirt and stop being a slob ! Well, needless to say, my Dad blew a gasket and got thrown out of the game. At that point, I was steaming and Coach Giambagno came out to the mound to speak with Kenny and I. He simply handed me the ball and said, "Alby, Kenny, you know what to do." And I said yes, just duck. The next pitch I threw one of the fastest balls I ever threw in my life, and hit that ump square in the mask. I was ejected right there and then, but could never thank Mr. Giambagno enough for that moment.
Rest in Peace, Coach...Alby
