By:Jonann Brady
Leonardo Basilio, 31, of 31 Jerome Ave. in Hicksville, was arrested on March 21 and charged with second-degree grand larceny. Basilio, who worked for Aging at Home of Mineola, was hired on March 8 to care for 77-year-old Rudolf "Rudy" Rufer in his home for one week, while Rufer was recovering from a stroke he suffered after undergoing an operation for colon cancer in late February, said Rufer's daughter, Peg, who asked that her last name not be used.
Police say Rufer, who played shortstop for the New York Giants and was a scout with the Dodgers for 25 years, showed Basilio some of his baseball memorabilia, including his 1959 Dodgers championship ring; a baseball signed by legendary players such as Sandy Koufax, Don Sutton, Steve Garvey and Don Drysdale; a baseball bat signed in 1966 by Dodgers players; and a 1975 magazine article about Rufer.
Basilio ended his employment with Rufer on March 12. The following day, Rufer discovered that his championship ring was missing, said his daughter. "He never goes out without his ring on," said Peg.
Rufer's family discovered that other items were also missing, and contacted the Malverne Police Department on March 18. Malverne police worked with detectives in the Fifth Squad, who tracked the stolen items to Basilio. All of the items were recovered and returned to Rufer except the magazine article, which Basilio apparently threw away.
Rufer's daughter said the career-spanning memorabilia was "priceless and so important" to her father. While the items could fetch a hefty sum from baseball collectors, police say there is no indication that Basilio attempted to sell the items.
Peg said that her father felt betrayed by the theft. Despite the operation and the stroke, she said, her father was recovering well and had his wits about him. "Dad was just happy to be alive," she said. "He might not have shown him the stuff if he weren't so excited [about his recovery.]"
Rufer lives with his wife, Peg, who is also an invalid. The couple moved to Malverne in 1948 and raised seven children in the community. The Rufers plan to stay in their home, and three of their children who live on Long Island will check on them, said daughter Peg.
Rufer grew up in Queens, and at age 23, he was called up in late September 1949 to join a less-than-stellar Giants squad managed by Leo Durocher. In 1949 and 1950, Rufer played 22 games, but found it hard to stick with the team once Alvin Dark took over as the everyday shortstop.
After brief minor league stints with the Cincinnati Reds and Brooklyn Dodgers, Rufer stayed in the game as a scout. While working for the Dodgers, he signed All-Star outfielder and former Mets manager Bobby Valentine. "I never met a boy as determined as he was," Rufer said of his star in a 1991 interview.
Police say Basilio did not have any prior criminal convictions in Nassau County. Aging at Home did not return calls at press time.
Rufer's daughter said that the agency came highly recommended, and that Basilio seemed attentive and experienced. "He was a smooth operator," said Peg.
Rufer's daughter said her father was distraught after the theft was discovered, but is recovering. "He was so upset, we thought he'd have another stroke," she said, but added, "He's exhausted ... [but] he's doing great."
Basilio was arraigned in First District Court on Monday.
