Gallup Sun

Wednesday, Aug 21st

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Bleacher Talk

Playing and Coaching, it’s in his blood

Friday, 08 May 2015 00:26 By Tom Hartsock Sun Correspondent

A 1993 graduate of Gallup High, Brian Silva took his diploma and baseball skills to Seminole Junior College in Oklahoma for two years, where his team missed the World Series by just a game. Returning to New Mexico for a try at NMJC, that didn’t work out well for him, he finished his college years in Portales as a Greyhound.

That move was not totally unexpected since one of his coaches in Connie Mack summer ball was Mickey Menapace, whose story was on these pages recently.

Brian had other good coaches as he worked his way up from the Gallup T-Ball start, including the legendary-like Johnny Espinosa – many stories have been written about him – his dad Ron Silva, Doug Howes, and in...

Come Join in the BBBS FUNraiser

Friday, 01 May 2015 04:03 Story and photos by Tom Hartsock Sun Correspondent

It was a full-fledged party last Saturday at Gal A Bowl for the Eighth Annual Big Brother/Big Sister Mountain Region FUNdraiser, labeled more accurately as Bowl for Kids’ Sake.

Forty-six teams were entered this year, with only one team refusing to man the lanes but sending in their donations anyway. Each team of five needed to raise at least $500 to enter, with some bringing in more than that. The total contributed by the bowlers was $30,000, with another $21,650 coming from sponsors. Other FUNraisers were being held that same day, so Region totals do not reflect everything this group brought in, but as of Saturday afternoon, the total reported by Event Coordinator Ron Ruybal was...

‘Celebrate the Intensity’

Thursday, 30 April 2015 10:56 Photos and story by Tom Hartsock Sun Correspondent

I love sports! I especially like the high school variety, though I have no aversions to T-Ball, TDFL or GYBL games.

I have discovered over the years that this interest is not always about the quality of play, but rather about the intensity these players utilize on the field, court, or pitch. I know the same intensity is also with them as they build LEGOS, play computer games, or when they study, but those are more private moments, whereas sports is open for everyone to see.

The looks on their faces as they strive to do their best is one that never gets old and has been ageless for centuries. Their particular expression, usually a grimace, seems to light up their face. Even if...

Angelo DiPaolo Memorial Track Meet

Thursday, 30 April 2015 10:30 Gallupsun Staff

The Angelo DiPaolo Memorial Track Meet, held April 18, celebrated the life of long time educator and coach Angelo DiPaolo who passed away in recent months.

Mickey and Ricky stick together, get skills from athletic family

Wednesday, 29 April 2015 14:23 By Tom Hartsock Sun Correspondent

The Menapace family has a long history of involvement with athletics in Gallup, starting with the oldest grandson of Rico, the founder of Rico Auto Complex. Howard, their father, coached all three of the boys through their baseball programs in summer leagues.

Oldest son Mickey is the only one to start and finish his early years in school at Cathedral School (now Gallup Catholic), from kindergarten through high school. He played Minor League, Little League and Babe Ruth baseball in the summer months before and during his high school years, and competed in Connie Mack as he aged up. Cathedral did not have a baseball program during his years there.

As a freshman, he was listed as a...