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Hamilton Cardinals

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Hamilton Cardinals
Information
LeagueIntercounty Baseball League
LocationHamilton, Ontario
BallparkBernie Arbour Memorial Stadium
Founded1958
League championships1
  • 1978
Former name(s)
  • Hamilton Cardinals (2012–present) (1975-2004) (1960-1961)
  • Hamilton Thunderbirds (2005-2011)
  • Hamilton Real McCoys (1973-1974)
  • Hamilton Marlins (1970-1972)
  • Hamilton Red Wings (1966-1969)
  • Hamilton Beavers (1958–1959)
ColoursRed, black
   
OwnershipEric Spearin, Carmens Group and Dennis Concordia
General managerN/A
ManagerChris Piano
Websitewww.hamiltoncardinals.com

The Hamilton Cardinals are a Canadian baseball team based in Hamilton, Ontario and a member club of the Intercounty Baseball League. Founded in 1958,[1] the club is the second oldest sports team in the city of Hamilton. Many of the team's players are former major leaguers and minor professionals, as well as current and former NCAA or U Sports players. Home games are played at Bernie Arbour Memorial Stadium.

The team has gone through several name changes over the years, most recently returning to the Cardinals name, after eight seasons as the Hamilton Thunderbirds. They were named the Thunderbirds when Drew Brady purchased the franchise on January 1, 2005, and the club adopted a new look with revitalized facilities and new uniforms. The Hamilton Cardinals played 1,490 games with a record of 525 wins and 965 losses before becoming the Thunderbirds, and winning the Intercounty title in 1978.

At a press conference on February 1, 2012, the club announced it would again be named the Hamilton Cardinals, because of the club's relationship with the Hamilton Cardinals youth rep program.[1] In late 2013, Gary Molinaro purchased the team and appointed his son JP Molinaro the new team president while also hiring Mike Fortuna as the new general manager.

The team has gone through ownership changes in recent years, first in 2018 when a community ownership group led by Carmens Group was formed, then again in September 2022 when the ownership structure was changed to include local businessman Eric Spearin as the majority owner with PJ Mercanti of Carmens Group maintaining a minority position.[2]

Shortly after the ownership change, the Hamilton Cardinals unveiled a new primary logo and uniforms for the 2023 season. The new logo features a strong modernized cardinal with a bat over its shoulder featuring a “hammer”-inspired bat weight. The logo emphasizes a new black and red colour scheme. [3]

Under Spearin's leadership, the 2023 season heralded significant advancements for the organization, as evidenced by the Cardinals setting new benchmarks in attendance, television viewership, and merchandise sales.[4] On May 21 2023, the Hamilton Cardinals retired #13 in honour of Dean Dicenzo. [5] This was the first jersey number retired in franchise history. On the field, outfielder Tyler Duncan was awarded the franchise's first IBL Most Valuable Player and John Bell Memorial Trophy, boasting a .355 batting average, 6 doubles, 5 triples, a league-leading 16 home runs, and 51 RBIs over all 42 regular season games.[6] Duncan's performance also established new franchise records in home runs and RBIs. Off the field, Spearin's contributions were recognized with the League's Executive of the Year award at the end of the 2023 season. [7]

The conclusion of the 2023 season also marked another significant change for the organization, with long-time Manager Dean Castelli stepped down as Manager and Assistant Coach Chris Piano was named the Manager ahead of the 2024 season.

On November 28, 2024, the team made headlines across the baseball world when they announced that they had signed 3x MLB All Star, World Baseball Classic champion, and World Series champion Fernando Rodney to a 1 year contract.

Roster

[edit]
Hamilton Cardinals Roster
Active Roster Coaches
Pitchers:
  • 39 Chris Boatto
  • 43 Owen Boon
  • 32 Casey Bouillere-Howard
  • 29 Zach Cameron
  • 20 Connor Cory
  • 57 Ramon Henriquez
  • 71 Steven Hospital
  • 7 Drew Mainprize
  • 19 Corben Peters
  • 56 Fernando Rodney
  • 4 Caleb Seroski
  • 26 Logan Warkentin
  • 45 Jose Vasquez




Catchers:
  • 9 Andrew Johnston
  • 11 July Vittini

Designated Hitters:

  • 48 Matt Hilderbrandt
  • 8 Josh Williams

Infielders:

  • 6 Jaden Brown
  • 97 Brendon Daley
  • 1 Rikelbin De Castro
  • 32 Brandon Nicoll
  • 44 Tanner Rempel
  • 17 Johnathan Solazzo
  • 18 Nicolas Velocci

Outfielders:

  • 5 Tyler Duncan
  • 3 Justin Groves
  • 10 Niko Kekatos
  • 12 Yolki Pena
Field Manager:
  • Chris Piano

Coaches:

  • Daniel Jagdeo (Hitting Coach)
  • Luis Bernardo (Assistant Coach)
  • Dr. Ross Murray (Mental Performance Coach)

Head Athletic Therapist:

  • Carlo Cardelli

Team Massage Therapist:


Team Chiropractor:

  • Dr. Brittany Boot

Season-by-season records

[edit]
Hamilton Beavers
Season GP Won Lost PCT Field Manager
1958 32 7 25 .219 Dan Lewandowski
1959 28 14 14 .500 Don Cooper
Hamilton Cardinals
1960 34 19 15 .559 Bob Salvisburg
1961 34 19 15 .559 Nels Gilmour
Hamilton Red Wings
1966 29 10 19 .345 Joe Acciaroli
1967 28 11 17 .393 Dan Burgess / Howard Holt
1968 24 12 12 .500 Bill Rowe
1969 28 16 12 .571 Bill Rowe
Hamilton Marlins
1970 30 13 17 .433 Bill Rowe
1971 28 11 17 .393 Mike Buist
1972 28 10 18 .357 Mike Buist
Hamilton Real McCoys
1973 30 14 16 .467 Phil Beaudoin
1974 30 13 17 .433 Rick DeMarchi
Hamilton Cardinals
1975 28 11 17 .393 Rick DeMarchi
1976 32 7 25 .219 Rick DeMarchi / Phil Beaudoin
1977 32 15 17 .469 Phil Duffy
1978 36 19 17 .527 Phil Duffy
1979 30 9 21 .300 Phil Duffy
1980 34 14 18 .438 Gary Wilson
1981 34 14 20 .412 Greg Higson
1982 33 5 28 .152 Greg Higson
1983 34 12 22 .352 Vic Rosser
1984 31 6 25 .194 Phil Mavrinac / Gary Wilson
1985 36 12 24 .333 Phil Mavrinac
1986 32 7 25 .219 Gary Wilson
1987 34 10 24 .294 Vic Rosser
1988 34 11 23 .323 Tony O'Grady
1989 34 10 24 .294 Vic Rosser Jr.
1990 34 10 24 .294 Vic Rosser Jr. / Dean Dicenzo
1991 34 12 22 .353 John Foden
1992 32 7 25 .219 John Foden
1993 35 16 19 .457 Barry Hutton / Dennis Reynolds
1994 35 17 18 .486 Dennis Reynolds
1995 35 8 27 .229 Dennis Reynolds
1996 35 12 23 .343 Dennis Reynolds
1997 36 14 22 .389 Dean Dicenzo
1998 30 3 27 .100 Dean Dicenzo
1999 35 15 20 .429 Jeff Lounsbury
2000 35 16 19 .457 Jeff Lounsbury
2001 32 11 21 .344 Dennis Reynolds
2002 36 22 14 .611 Dean Castelli
2003 36 19 17 .528 Dean Castelli
2004 36 12 24 .333 S. Nichols / S. Ridley
Hamilton Thunderbirds
2005 34 16 18 .471 Dean Castelli / Montgomery
2006 36 14 22 .389 Montgomery
2007 36 16 20 .444 Jeff Lounsbury
2008 36 10 26 .278 Adeo Calcagni
2009 36 7 29 .194 Dennis Reynolds
2010 36 12 24 .333 John Turbitt
2011 35 7 28 .200 Matt Fortuna
Hamilton Cardinals
2012 36 6 30 .200 Matt Fortuna
2013 42 16 26 .381 Matt Fortuna
2014 36 11 25 .306 Matt Fortuna
2015 36 13 23 .361 Dean Castelli
2016 36 8 28 .222 Dean Castelli
2017 36 9 27 .250 Dean Castelli
2018 36 15 21 .417 Dean Castelli
2019 36 20 16 .556 Dean Castelli
2020 No season due to COVID-19
2021 30 11 19 .367 Dean Castelli
2022 42 12 30 .286 Dean Castelli / Jeff Lounsbury
2023 42 19 23 .452 Dean Castelli
2024 42 18 24 .439 Chris Piano

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Hamilton Intercounty baseball team returns to Cardinals roots". Hamilton Spectator. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  2. ^ "News: Hamilton Cardinals Announce New Owners Partnership - Hamilton Cardinals".
  3. ^ "The Hamilton Cardinals reveal a new look for a new season".
  4. ^ "The Hamilton Cardinals thank fans".
  5. ^ "Cardinals to retire Dean Dicenzo's #13 on May 21st".
  6. ^ "Tyler Duncan Named IBL Most Valuable Player".
  7. ^ "Hamilton's Eric Spearin Named IBL Executive of the Year".
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