WOLFFIE FEST: When former hometown product Lew Wolff was in town recently to watch his Oakland Athletics play the Cardinals in a homestand, he hosted a lunch at Busch Stadium for some buddies from his U. City high class of 1953.

About 100 old friends, spouses, children and grandchildren enjoyed a lunch of hot dogs, hamburgers, taco salad and pasta in a pair of 2nd-floor suites at the stadium.

Wolff and his wife, Jean, a sculptor, worked the room for a couple of hours, talking to friends about sports, high school memories and life in general. Cardinals topper Bill DeWitt, Jr. also stopped by to chat with the group.

Wolff, 74, didn't come to his love of athletics recently - he honed his skills as a center fielder for the U. City high Indians when they played at Heman Park. In addition to the A's, Wolff has had ownership interest in numerous other sports teams, including the St. Louis Blues, the San Francisco Warriors and the San Jose Earthquakes.

Friends Bob and Marcia Shapiro, whose wedding Wolff was in years ago, said that no matter how successful he's become, Wolff never puts on airs and is as genuine as he was when he still lived in St. Louis.

Along with the Shapiros, others at the lunch included: Kenny Green, Dick Lipman, Essie and Earl Kessler, Larry and Barbara Poger, Robbie Lowenstein, Ken Fendleman, Danny and Ellen Bluestone, Dick and Mariette Palmer, Steve and Julie Plax, Jerry and Myrna Sokolik, Vickie Rothman Fenster, Jutah Fass, Jan and Richard Baron, Gerry and Marylee Mandel, Eldon and Marcia Weinhaus, Marilyn and Steven Dardick and Chuck and Boo Cook.