Remembering Jodi DiRaimo – John Cardullo

by John Cardullo, sportswriter

On Friday, July 26, 2024 We lost a softball Icon and I lost a very dear friend! Jodi DiRaimo the former owner and host of Rhode Island’s original sport lounge, The Players Corner Pub, passed away at 89 years old.

When I was very young my father took me, with my brother, my cousin, and friend to a Providence College game at the then Providence Civic Center. I was and still am a huge PC fan. But my father also told us that we will be having dinner at the Players Corner Pub.

Going to Players was like going to the legendary sports bar, Toot’s Shorr’s, in New York, where the “who’s who” in Rhode Island would head to before and after any big event that was taking place in downtown Providence. Although none of us had ever met Jodi, he came by our table and greeted us, as he did with many others – his visit made your entire night complete.

It wasn’t until several years later when I began my career at a printing company that was located across the street from Players, and it just so happened that we had a company account at Players for all managers to enjoy. Over the years I got to know Jodi and his partner, Sonny Russo. Both were genuine, and great guys.

Players Softball Club

Somehow I managed to talk Jodi into sponsoring a very young softball team, telling him that he would not be sorry for backing us. In 1981 Players Softball Club was born. I would like to say that we were an instant success, but in reality it took us 10 years to find our stride. But when we hit it, we won 20 State Softball Championships, played in 22 different states all over the country and came in the top 10 in national tournaments 6 times and the top 5 four times. I reminded Jodi throughout the years that his investment paid off in dividends and we reached our goal. Keep in mind this was a man who rubbed elbows with some of the biggest names on every level of the local, regional and national sports landscape.

Jodi eventually left Providence to partner up with Rick Pitino who was named the new University of Kentucky’s new basketball coach and also wanted to have a sport restaurant like Players Corner Pub and he wanted Jodi to head that project up. Jodi continued to back his softball team even after he left Providence, through his daughters Lisa and Jodi-Ann.

Jodi was inducted into the Rhode Island Slow Pitch Softball Hall of Fame in 2022 as a sponsor. He came home for the ceremony. I can tell that he was both honored and touched by being inducted into the HOF. During his speech, he was telling stories that I could barely remember about the team and his association with us that had me choked up.

So, when I received the news of his passing I reflected on the 45 years of friendship that I have been privileged to have in knowing this man, and felt the loss that it feels like to lose a family member. So, I say Rest in Peace, my friend, you lived and extraordinary life and you definitely changed the course of mine!

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John Cardullo, sportswriter. John is a lifelong Rhode Islander. His sports experience is extensive, as a player, coach and sponsor of youth and high school sports. He has been the Public Address Announcer for the CCRI Men’s and Women’s Soccer teams. Both the Cranston East and Cranston West football, Cranston East Boys and Girls basketball for 12 years before moving onto the Central, Juanita Sanchez and Mt. Pleasant football teams. Also, Central HS Boys and Girls Basketball, Scituate High School Boys and Girls Basketball, Johnston High School Girls Basketball, Boys Volleyball, Girls Softball, Boys and Girls Soccer teams, and CLCF football.

John has been involved in Men’s softball for 61 years, starting as a batboy for his father’s team in 1964. He moved to the teams scorekeeper then became a player in 1975, and created the men’s team, Players Corner Pub, that went on to win 20 State Championships in their 35 year history. In the 1990’s he published the statewide softball magazine “The Fielders Choice” which was dedicated to all topics related to adult softball. As a feature writer, John and the publication won several media awards. In 2019 he was elected and inducted into the Rhode Island Slow Pitch Softball Hall of Fame which he also helped create. John is a softball umpire in Warwick, Rhode Island.

In his spare time John golfs with his life long friends on a weekly basis in season. After retiring from the printing Industry after a 45-year career, he now writes specialty sports columns for RINewsToday.com.