Admirers commemorate dedication of Mutter Athletic Complex

East Providence location is named in honor of deceased sports star, beloved community member

By Mike Rego
Posted 9/23/18

EAST PROVIDENCE — About three dozen family and friends gathered on a splendid early Fall Saturday morning, Sept. 22, for a ceremony formally marking the dedication of the softball fields and …

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Admirers commemorate dedication of Mutter Athletic Complex

East Providence location is named in honor of deceased sports star, beloved community member

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — About three dozen family and friends gathered on a splendid early Fall Saturday morning, Sept. 22, for a ceremony formally marking the dedication of the softball fields and basketball court off Pawtucket Avenue in the memory of beloved deceased East Providence sports legend Harry Mutter at the “Harry C. Mutter Jr. Athletic Complex.”

Former long-time school department employee Bob Rodericks, who worked with Mr. Mutter for decades, MC’d the affair with comments provided by life-long friend Clarence “Junior” Butler and Ward 1 Councilor Bobby Britto, in whose district the complex is situated.

Members of Mr. Mutter’s family, including his wife Pat McKinnon Mutter, along with associates and dignitaries from throughout the city were also in attendance.

After a long illness, Mr. Mutter passed away in the spring of 2017. Last Fall, the City Council passed a resolution commemorating his service to the community, including his tenure as school department buildings and grounds supervisor, as board member of the East Providence Community & Teachers Federal Credit Union and East Providence Heritage Days Committee as well as his lengthy association with EPHS athletics.

Mr. Mutter was a member of the 1961-62 EPHS state championship basketball team. Later, he starred as a power-hitting member of title-winning men’s softball teams for Bovi’s Tavern, The Paddy Wagon and Conti Brothers among others.

“This is a wonderful tribute to him. When people drive by, they will see his name and go, 'Hey, I knew him,'” Mrs. Mutter said of the honor.

Mr. Mutter was a pure athlete, strapping and strong, who set the standard for softball players both in Rhode Island and New England for much of the 1970s. In an era when crushing home runs was more about strength and ability rather than equipment — Mr. Mutter’s softball playing days began when hitters still used wood bats and a truly “soft” ball was in play — he was among the most feared batters in the region. Mr. Mutter finished his career with 1,204 home runs.

“This is very hard for me,” Mr. Butler said during his remarks. “There was nothing that we didn’t do together.”

From their playing days as young men to umpiring as they grew older, Messrs. Butler and Mutter spent many a day and night at the Agawam fields, so the dedication of the complex in his name is an apt accolade.

“He’d be very, very proud,” Mrs. Mutter added. “I know his kids are happy to see other people loved him as much as they did.”

Mr. Butler, noting his friend was also a flawed man, but one who truly cared about others, said of the many reasons why Mr. Mutter excelled as a teammate, an umpire and in life was his ability to connect with others.

“One of the strengths of Harry was that he was a people person,” Mr. Butler added. “He never talked about himself even as all the people around him talked about how great he was.”

His final partner, with whom he spent the last years of his life, knew a caring man, who wasn’t afraid to show his emotions, but who also rarely indulged in his athletic accomplishments.

“I met him when we both worked in the school department, so I knew him for years. But I didn’t know he was a softball legend until after I started dating him and finding out everything he did. It was amazing,” Mrs. Mutter said. “As a matter of fact, my children, once they found out I was with Harry Mutter, they were like, ‘Harry Mutter? Do you know who he is? And I was like, ‘No. Who is Harry Mutter?’ So, it was funny. Everyone knew who Harry Mutter was.”

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