(BISHOP BRADLEY HIGH SCHOOL/TRINITY HIGH SCHOOL)
A TRUE “BLUE CHIPPER”
Part 2 (PART ONE CAN BE FOUND HERE)
ODDS AND ENDS
Don, now 73, is married to his wife Mary and has three daughters and three grand-kids. He received a Bachelor’s degree from Brown University in 1974 an is retired from a career in the insurance industry.
He is presently an assistant coach of JV baseball at Pinkerton Academy in Derry. Earlier he served as head coach softball coach at Hesser College, Notre Dame College, and St. Anselm College.
In his free time, he’s a volunteer at the Hooksett Community Food Pantry and is playing a little golf using the clubs his daughters gave him as a retirement present.
He and Mary are continuing the pursuit of of seeing all 30 MLB parks & have 10 more to complete their goal.
A gallery of Photos of Don, his family, friends – and hat collection.
THE ATHLETE HE MOST ENJOYED PLAYING AGAINST?
You guessed it. Mike Flanagan. His comment: “I was fortunate never to lose a head-to-head pitching battle with Mike.”
I can’t remember anyone else able to say that!
SPORT YOU WOULD’VE LIKED TO PLAY, BUT DIDN’T
“Football. The coach asked me to go out for the team as a QB. I told him thanks, but I was unable to do so because I had to work after school to earn money and help my family.”
DON HUOT’S MOST EMBARRASSING SPORTS MEMORY:
“I was playing for Sweeney in the state tournament in Keene against Keene. Brian Tremblay and Keene had gotten the best of us that day. I made the last out of the game when I got hit in the foot with a batted ball while running between first and second. I was trying to make it difficult for the 2nd baseman, but instead I mistimed the grounder and I got hit by the ball.
I was so disgusted with myself that, after the game, I went directly into our team bus and never said hello to my family who had driven an hour and a half to see me play.
Not my most mature moment.
Let’s just say that I got the riot act when I got home and was told in no uncertain terms that my family was there for me win or lose and they expected to see me after every game.
Message received! That never happened again.”
DON HUOT’S FAVORITE NEWSPAPER HEADLINE
“The 21 K game vs. Memorial.
There were several different articles written that were very complimentary about Mike and me, but I enjoyed being the winner of that game. Pro scouts got more regular at my games after that.”
TOUGHEST PLAYER DON FACED
“The player of my generation was Mike Flanagan, I think we pushed each other when playing against one another and, again, when playing on the same teams.
It was friendly competition.
His numbers were always better, but I enjoyed the wins.”
ATHLETICS AFTER COLLEGE
“I have three daughters, so I coached one in softball for several years and I coached two of them in soccer.
I so enjoyed working with my two softball coaches , Mike Gaffney and Jeanne Immel, that I continued to coach with them after my daughter graduated. We three coached at West Manchester Junior Deb, Bedford Little league, Goffstown Little League, Trinity High school, Notre Dame College*, Hesser College, and St. Anselm College.
*Don was selected as the Mayflower Conference Coach of the Year.
I stopped coaching in 2004 because parents were getting out of control and way too negative.
In 2022, I retired from the insurance industry after 45 years and was looking for something to do. I applied and was approved for joining the baseball coaching staff at Pinkerton and I’m entering my 4th year.”
LEVEL HE MOST ENJOYED
“I enjoyed college baseball the most. It was the closest thing to being a pro baseball player that you could get. Training meals. Travel all over the country. Great competition. I pitched against Jim Beattie from Dartmouth and Dick Juron from Yale.”
WHAT SPORTS TAUGHT DON HUOT
“I learned how to lose and move forward. You always remember your losses more than your wins.
I remember in 1968 Bradley was the #1 seed in the state tournament. I pitched the opening game vs. Nashua and it was a tight game. A Nashua batter bunted to move a runner from 1st. I got it, turned to throw to 2nd and fired it into center field. They scored a run and beat us.
Yet in 1969, we’re winning the state tournament and I’m pitching the championship game.
That’s baseball. That’s sports. That’s life. Learn from your mistakes.”
WHAT UPSETS HIM THE MOST IN SPORTS TODAY
“Playing one sport for 12 months a year. It’s not good for the kids. I enjoyed playing basketball to get my legs in shape for baseball.
Parents who think indoor time, private coaches, and travel teams will get their kid a college scholarship will find that, for a few, that’s true, but for most, it’s not.”
ATHLETES HE RESPECTED/DISRESPECTED
“Dustin Pedroia and Derek Jeter. Both were focused on one thing…winning. Always ran out their hits. Never stopped playing until there were 27 outs.”
I disrespected the PED users from back in the day…McGuire, Sosa, Clemens, Palmeiro
HOW HE WOULD LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED
“On the field I’d like to be remembered as someone who worked hard and gave his best every day.
Off the field, as a good husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend who cared deeply about the people around me.”
WOULD HE LIKE A “DO-OVER” AT ANY PART OF HIS SPORTS LIFE
“No. I have had such a wonderful life in sports that I sometimes pray to God and say ‘I don’t know how Heaven can be any better than this life You have given me on earth.’”
That’s it…the private person who allowed me to “invade” his personal space.
Don Huot … a great athlete.
… a great competitor
… a great teammate.
… a great coach.
Don Huot…a definite Blue-Chipper…and in more than just sports.
ADDENDUM TO THE DON HUOT STORY:
Don Huot and his wife, Mary, are huge fans of Boston’s professional sports teams, especially the Boston Red Sox.
It starts with them at Florida’s Jet Blue Park for Spring Training (joined by best friend Coach Mike Gaffney) , then traveling to 4 Jersey Street, home of Fenway Park, then to other parks in other states to watch them play, then concludes by watching them on television from the comforts of their home.
If you follow Don on Facebook by becoming one of his friends, you’ll find that he’s almost a “cross” between Jery Remy and Dennis Eckersley.
He’s not only funny, but also critical when he needs to be as he gives you regular updates on players and how the Sox are doing.
Speaking of sports announcing, he and Mary have visited more than 30 major league ballparks.
Once baseball season is over and the holidays of fall and winter are upon us, you’ll find Don continuing a tradition that he and his daughter Lisa have carried on for over 10 years.
It may be outside a grocery store, a department store, or another venue, you’ll find them at a variety of locations because they’re bell-ringers for The Salvation Army.
As I said, Don’s a BLUE-CHIPPER…and in more than just sports.
Ted Menswar Jr. is a life-long resident of the Queen City and a retired member of the English Department of Memorial High School who has been involved in local sports for 70 years as a player, a coach, a mentor and a fan. He can be reached at tedmenswar@outlook.com