49ers greats help toast, roast Policy
A galaxy of stars came out to celebrate Carmen Policy’s career last week, and they had names like Jerry, Joe, Ronnie and Dwight.
It all happened in the swanky confines of the Westin St. Francis, where the former 49ers executive joined Russell Baze, Bill Cartwright, Kerri Walsh Jennings and Matt Williams as the newest members of the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame.
The annual dinner ceremony usually attracts some big names, but Policy’s presence brought out 49ers royalty, including Messrs. Rice, Montana, Lott and Clark. And the festivities were led
by none other than former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr.
During his induction speech, Eddie D. needled his longtime friend and adviser. One story had to do with Monsignor Peter Armstrong, the team chaplain. “Everybody loved him,” said DeBartolo, deadpan. “We would travel to games together all over the world. Carmen would mess around with Monsignor. He would always steal Monsignor’s collar, wear it and go around telling women he could sin with immunity.”
The crowd roared and it felt like we were at a Friar’s Club roast, with Policy playing Dean Martin to DeBartolo’s Frank Sinatra. Somewhere, Don Rickles smiled.
“But thankfully, ‘Charmin’ Carmen’ got me out of a few jams,” DeBartolo continued, in a more serious vein. “I had a few, shall we say, disagreements with Bill Walsh ,as two dear friends and family members will have. And Carmen was the one who helped bridge our relationship and always bring us back together.”
But DeBartolo wasn’t quite done with the needling, telling about the time Policy showed up at a party dressed as Dracula.
“He had the makeup done professionally and it was perfect, from head to toe,” said DeBartolo. “What I didn’t like was that he had himself delivered to the house in a coffin. Let me tell you, he was really dead on arrival.”
Well, you can’t nail ’em all, Eddie. But you get the idea. Two longtime paisans got together to celebrate a life well lived. Champagne, laughter and championship rings.
The reunion of key players from Policy’s era was just a touch bittersweet, with many concerned about Clark, who recently announced he has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis— Lou Gehrig’s disease.
You wouldn’t know it from seeing him, though. Dapper and tan, he had his former teammates crowded around him during the reception, and you could feel the love. Policy confided to this reporter that he and his former colleagues are working to make sure Clark gets the very best treatment. That certainly sounds like the 49ers of old.
The mood stayed loose throughout the evening, cresting when the Hall of Fame’s CEO, Kevin O’Brien, gave a long introduction for a star quarterback out of Notre Dame who led the 49ers to four Lombardi Trophies. Then Rice stood up and the place cracked up ... again.
Things finally quieted down a bit when Policy took the stage and spoke about his immigrant grandparents and the American dreams he shared with them.
“I’ll never forget seeing the Golden Gate Bridge for the first time,” said Policy, eyes moist. “And you know what? I started thinking. The feeling I had ... just maybe if I do it right and stick with what I was taught, just maybe I might become part of this great, new promised land.”
Mission accomplished, sir. In other memorable moments:
One well-heeled guest, who requested anonymity, spoke to us about golfing with Donald Trump (before he was the POTUS) at a famous East Coast country club. Apparently, the now-president had a nickname among the caddies. They called him “Pelé,” in honor of his foot wedge.
Inductee Williams looked like he could walk out on the field and help the Giants. But he’s probably smarter than that. The slugging third baseman is enjoying semiretired life, analyzing the team for NBC Sports Bay Area, “I never imagined something like this would be possible,” he said of the induction. “It takes me back. It was 30 years ago this month when I walked into Dodger Stadium for the first time as a Giant, scared to death, and struggled and sucked. I just wanted to be a good player . ... I’m very excited. It was never the focus, but to have something like this? There’s only 170 folks in this deal . ... The bronze looks better than I do.”
Baze, a jockey, has won more competitions than everyone in this year’s incoming class ... combined. (That’s 12,842 races to be exact.) “It’s a pretty impressive class,” said Baze, who was asked if he had a favorite mount in all those years. “Not really,” he said, before thinking about it a bit more. “You know, Lost in the Fog was a nice horse to ride. More recently, Shared Belief . ... He was just a blast to be on.” To aspiring jockeys, Baze said, “Go to a farm and learn about the animals first. Learn how to pick their feed. Learn how to brush them . ... Learn how to take care of them before you ever get on their backs.” Words to ride by.
It was quite a sight to see the 5-foot-4 Baze standing next to the 7-1 Cartwright, a USF basketball legend who went on to win three championships in a 15year NBA career. Goes to show, champions come in all shapes and sizes.
Had the pleasure of spending some time with 2014 inductee Jim Hines and his wife, Joy. The McClymonds High School alum, of course, held the title of “World’s Fastest Man” after he ran a sub-10-second 100 meters at the 1968 Olympics, setting a record that stood for a jaw-dropping 15 years.
San Jose’s Walsh Jennings, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, told attendees she’s not done yet. The beach volleyball legend is gunning for Tokyo in 2020.
Saw Mike Krukow in the hotel lobby, FaceTiming someone on his phone before the ceremony. The Giants’ announcer was on hand for Williams’ induction, but who was so important that they needed to chat? Duane Kuiper, of course. So, that happened, too . ... Al Saracevic is sports editor of The San Francisco Chronicle. E-mail: asaracevic@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @alsaracevic