Friends Honor Brighton Beach Murder Victim Anthony Senisi With Memorial Softball Game

The childhood friends of Anthony Senisi, the Brighton Beach man who was tragically stabbed to death in 2007, gathered on Sunday for the eighth consecutive year to play a softball game in his memory.

The location was different from previous gatherings. The group opted for the expansive grass fields and access to bathrooms at Marine Park over the concrete court near East 12th Street where they played as kids. However, the conversations still centered around Senisi, a die-hard Yankees fan who they said would give his last dollar to a friend in need.

“We created this softball game to keep Anthony’s memory alive,” said Billy Fallon, who along with Howard Sosner, has been organizing the event every year. “When we were kids, we would play sports in the schoolyard every day during summer, from 11am until the sun would go down, when the moms started calling that it was time to eat.”

On August 4, 2007, the father of two was on his way home from picking up milk when he was stabbed in the back. He stumbled to his family’s Brighton 6th Street apartment where he collapsed in his father’s arms. Authorities believe the attacker, who was found guilty and sentenced to 22 years in prison, had mistaken Senisi for someone else.

Ever since his death, Senisi’s friends have gathered together on the first Sunday of August to honor his memory.

“There was not a bad bone in his body,” said Sosner, who knew Senisi since the second grade. “You know how most people have an angel and a devil on each shoulder? Well, Anthony had two angels.”

Between innings, friends lounged in the shade, sharing pizza and drinks. They traded old photographs from their childhood and told stories about their fallen friend.

“Anthony was so strong. He was like Popeye,” said Joe Morris, who traveled from New Jersey to attend the game. “When we would play punchball, everyone had to move way out.”

For some, the gathering was a once-a-year opportunity to catch up with old friends. Many brought their spouses and children to the game and played ball just like when they were kids.

“We all have five lifetimes worth of memories of Anthony,” said Alex Tisch. “He would have wanted us to stay together. Anthony touched us all.”