By Bob Otto, Otto in Focus
LONG BEACH, CA – In the 1970s and ’80s, great players, great teams and great managers abounded in southern California’s Western Softball Congress.
But when it came to recruiting, no one was as great as the late Lanny Rupp.
Rupp was the general manager and manager of the Lakewood Jets. If Rupp wanted to sign a top-caliber player, he went after him with a salesman’s charm and a bulldog’s gusto.
Most times, he landed his target.
“He worked, he plotted, he planned and he recruited, recruited, recruited,” said Hice Stiles, who played with and against Rupp in the Western Softball Congress (WSC)…
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Bob Otto
Check out the NICE jacket and cap. Guess who lettered them both. Also played with, for and against Lanny
Ah yes, those satin jackets of the 70’s (ugh) 😉
Hey, when you spilled a pitcher of beer on them at Apple Annies, you could roll it right back into your glass
Lanny and i grew up together from the age 5 until his death. We were like brothers, and all through life, no matter where we were, we always found each other. I knew his sons, rick; ron and also steven. I always teased him about him being 20 days younger than me. We played football in h.s. together, after my career in the coast guard, we even worked at the same telephone company, gte. We both retired from there the same year, he having more years under his built than me. As a matter of face, it was he that helped get my job with GTE. I guess one can only say, your lucky to have friends in life, but i will tell you this, he was my only true friend, and with that, it was enough. I shall always miss my best friend. And yes, i do remember the jets; nitehawks and all the other teams. We went to many a game. I do remember ed klecker as a great pitcher. I could go on about his life, but i am proud to say, i imagine i knew him better than anyone.
I stumbled on his isc hall of fame induction on you tube.