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He just returned to Philly from a vacation: A retirement vacation. But judging by the way 77-year-old Bob Vetrone Sr. sounds, it seems as if he has plenty of youth left in him.
Vetrone’s actual youth was spent growing up on 17th and Ritner in the 1930s and early ’40s. To kids back then — as now — sports seemed the best route to success. Vetrone played softball in the schoolyard of Southeast Catholic High (now St. John Neumann), basketball at a playground at Broad and Oregon, and baseball on fields then at 20th and Jackson and 15th and Packer.
The activities kindled a lifelong interest in sports for Vetrone, who went on to become the city’s know-it-all sports columnist, "Buck the Bartender," and recently retired as assistant director of athletic communications at La Salle University, where he had worked since 1990.
"There were all sports around town and it was a family affair," noted the onetime athlete, who would participate in games with his older brother.
Vetrone called his own street the "miracle block"; it included his mentor, the Rev. Tommy Laughlin from St. Monica Parish, and Paul Arizin, the future Villanova and Philadelphia Warriors star.
Also on the block was Jim Phelan, the future longtime Mount. St. Mary basketball coach, who attended St. Monica School and played sports with Vetrone. Both were altar boys at St. Monica Church.
While Vetrone did not find much success athletically (he only played for recreation instead of for organized leagues), he found the path to get the most out of his love of sports. Becoming a sportswriter was Vetrone’s yellow brick road.
At Southeast Catholic, Vetrone was editor of the school paper, The Rocket. He says this experience was vital and inspired him to aim for the big time. As he was hunting for jobs in Center City, Vetrone was hired by the Bulletin as a copy boy. Ten months later, he was drafted to serve overseas in World War II. When he returned in 1946, Vetrone won his job back and within two years was covering college basketball.
The sportswriter later reported on the Sixers’ 1966-67 championship season for the Bulletin.
"For one season that was the team that had what it took to have a great team," he said. "The guys not only bonded well on the court but off the court as well, unlike today’s players."
Vetrone stayed at the paper in some capacity until it closed in 1982, with one break. He became a color commentator for the Sixers the year after they won the title.
But Vetrone might be most fondly regarded by sports fans in this town as "Buck the Bartender." He suggested the column to answer the Bulletin‘s many called-in sports inquiries. After the paper shut down, Vetrone immediately landed with the Daily News and wrote the column through 1992. "Buck’s" identity was secret for a lengthy period, and the writer provided trivial facts that often were astonishing.
The knack for sports journalism was passed on to his son, Bob "Boop" Vetrone Jr., who has worn many hats for the Daily News sports department since 1982.
Vetrone Sr.’s career has come with its share of perks: He is one of a few people to have attended almost every notable Philly sports spectacle in the last half-century.
Vetrone’s achievements earned him a spot in the U.S. Basketball Writers Hall of Fame and the Big 5 Hall of Fame. He was involved in Big 5 basketball since its inception in 1955, and basks in the memory of the group’s heyday.
"It’s amazing how half the Palestra crowd roots for one team and half for the other," he said.
Vetrone has rubbed shoulders with many athletes, and even received dinner invitations from some, but hasn’t really had a close friendship with any (which usually is the case for media members).
However, he was on good terms with Wilt Chamberlain, whom Vetrone first saw when the Dipper played at Overbrook High School.
"He was very friendly, wise and entertaining. He’d start a trivia question contest while we were waiting at the airport," Vetrone said. "Wilt’s one that lasts; I still won’t throw out his address on my Rolodex."
About another Philadelphia great, Dr. J, he said, "Julius was so smooth yet so sincere."
The writer had a special bond with South Philadelphia High and La Salle alum Lionel Simmons, and originally took a job at La Salle to promote the basketball star.
"Lionel epitomized what an athlete is," said Vetrone.
Now living in Fox Chase with his daughter, the former writer is planning an active retirement. He has been invited to give lectures, particularly in Philly, about sports journalism (he contends that today’s writers must have higher standards to stay competitive). Vetrone also will keep his hand in La Salle athletics and catch all the games he can. And he’ll do it all in the place that gave the non-athlete a rich career in sports.
"I don’t play golf nor do I travel much," he said. "I can’t imagine life without Philly."
