Dear Editor:
Demarest/Hoboken High baseball has almost never had anyone accepted on a full scholarship to the academically challenging NYU, played exceptional ball at the college level, and graduated with a degree. Joe Totaro, who recently passed away, did all three. No one else has ever done that in the history of Hoboken sports and very few in Hudson County annals.
He also went on to win Hudson County Championships as a player, assistant coach, under Peter Vecchio, and as a head coach.
His signature baseball trademark was his baseball uniform, never ironed and a tad of dirt always so present. This was Mr. Totaro! His 60s teams were always exceptional, specially the County Champs of ‘67. Some might say the best Hoboken baseball team to ever to take the field. I don’t think the late Mr. V or our more contemporary leader Coach Matthews would debate the point.
Joe had a unique way of coaching. When he knew he had quality players, which were plentiful, he stayed out of their way and watched them win, with the occasional bark. Round those bases Coach Totaro! We already miss you, tattered uniform and all!
Dennis Sevano