PHILADELPHIA >> After 45 years of working security detail for the Philadelphia Phillies, Tony Valerio, 87, of Ridley Township, decided to finally retire.
After 3,500-plus games and watching a multitude of managers and hundreds of players come and go, the octogenarian decided it was time to take life a little easier and get out of the dugout that he diligently guarded for 30 years. The other 15 years he was assigned to the VIP Gate.
“It was a fun ride,” Valerio said last week, “with many, many good memories. I have plenty of stories to tell.”
Valerio hopes to write a book during retirement to capture all the memories. He says that he will title it “Dirt from the Dugout” and share 45 years’ worth of interesting stories.
Valerio has met everyone from Pete Rose to Barry Bonds, and many of the players have become personal friends, like Mickey Morandini, Greg Luzinski, Larry Bowa, Dick Allen and Rheal Cormier.
When asked if he had a favorite player, the friendly Valerio answered, “I can honestly say that I liked and got along with every single player I met through the years.”
Valerio was one of the very first security guards to be hired when Veterans Stadium opened in 1971. He was still with the Phillies when they opened the 43,651-seat Citizens Bank Park in 2004. He started his career when Frank Lucchesi was manager and ended it with manager Ryne Sandberg at the helm.
Proudly holding a baseball, signed by Sandberg and others, Valerio said he treasures this special gift he received on his final day. Valerio also dangled his finger to proudly display the World Series Ring he was given by the Phillies organization in 2008, one of the best years ever on the job, he said.
“Being there when the Phils won the World Series-well, that is indescribable,” he explained. “I will treasure this ring and all those memories forever.”
The Phillies gave Valerio another gift at his retirement, a lifetime pass for two to every Phillies game so he can continue to put on his Phillies cap and cheer on his favorite team.
In addition to keeping busy as a spectator, Valerio has already turned to other leisurely pursuits to occupy his time. He is a member of the pool team at Schoolhouse Center in Folsom and a member of the Columbus Bocce Ball Team that was just named the 2015 champion. He plays Bocce Ball at Marconi Plaza at Broad and Oregon Aves. in South Philadelphia.
Valerio is also fortunate to have his family living close by. Although his wife Theresa passed away two years ago, his son, Steven Valerio, is a resident of Ridley Park and his daughter, Lisa Wallace is a resident of Ridley Township. Tony also has six grandchildren to enhance his life in retirement.
“Working for the Phillies was really a dream job,” Valerio stated last week. “I loved every single one of those 45 years. We had good years and bad years, but then a year comes along like 2008 and all the bad ones are forgotten. Through those years I made so many friends, with ball players, fans, and co-workers. My life has been so enriched because of this job.”
“I will always love the Phillies,” Valerio concluded with a smile.
