Over a Century of Baseball Love

by Stephanie Struyck Elgin

He was a fan way back when the prime seats for a ballgame were just over a buck.  Sit in the nosebleed section and you could’ve scored yourself two tickets for that price. Two dimes and a nickel would’ve bought you a Dodger dog and a soda.  It was during that time, when slugger Babe Ruth, otherwise known as “The Bambino” or “The Sultan of Swat” wore the Yankee pinstripes, and baseball greats like Lou Gehrig, Rogers Hornsby and Ty Cobb emerged from this phenomenal era-the 1920’s.  Those were the good ol’ days for 102-year-old baseball fan, Nick Corsinita.    
Nick was born on February 5, 1909 in Brooklyn, New York.  While everyone jumped on the Babe Ruth bandwagon, Nick’s heart belonged to the Brooklyn Dodgers.  Being the only kid in the neighborhood to be loyal to the home team, Nick’s love for the Dodgers never waivered, nor did his love for one of the best pitchers to take to the mound during the 1920’s- legendary Dazzy Vance.  Vance won the first National League Most Valuable Player Award, with eight strikeout titles, 197 wins, even pitching a no-hitter.  “He was Grandpa Nick’s favorite player, one of the fastest pitchers of that era,” states grandson, Noah.   
During the 1920’s and 30’s, Nick worked for the United Steamship Company, and then for the U.S. Navy Department.  In 1936, Nick married his first wife, Agnes and together, made their way to California in 1943.
Still a big fan of the Dodgers, Nick would follow games on the radio, enjoying every bit of America’s pastime that he could.  In the 1950’s, he purchased a television, and as the games were televised, Nick would be right there following his boys in blue.  
As luck would have it, or just a matter of baseball coincidence, the Dodgers left Brooklyn and headed west after the 1957 season, when they became the Los Angeles Dodgers.  
“I can remember visiting him and grandma and whenever the Dodgers were playing ball,” states Noah. “Whether the games were on the tube or the radio, it was so loud it felt almost as if you were there.  He was such a fan!”
In 1976, Nick’s wife, Agnes, passed away.  Together, they had two sons, Joe and Paul.  Nick married his second wife, Eileen in 1979.  She too has passed and Nick is currently wowing the ladies at the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center when he comes to visit.  Nick has five grandchildren, Pat, Matt, Amy, Christy and Noah and three great-grandchildren, Conner, Carly and Luke.
As time has passed, Nick’s love for the Dodgers has never waivered.  As a “True Blue” fan, Nick has been around to see his Dodgers franchise win 18 of the 21 National League pennants in their history, and all six of their World Series wins.   “He loves baseball, and he loves the Dodgers,” states son Joe Corsinita.  
The lifelong Dodger fan currently resides in Santa Paula but comes to the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center to participate in their programs and services.  Just a few months ago, Nick celebrated his 102nd birthday and what better way to celebrate then with a surprise visit from former Dodger, Bill Russell who played his entire 18-year career with the Los Angeles Dodgers as shortstop.  Former Dodgers pitcher, Al Downing, also surprised Nick at his 102nd celebration.  Together, friends and family at SCV’s Senior Center sang Take Me Out to the Ballgame, followed by Happy Birthday, as a cake adorned with 102 lit candles was brought out.  
And even at the age of 102, Nick was sporting his Dodgers jacket and hat.  Over a century has passed and he still remains faithful to his boys in blue.