Hamilton Cardinals

Last updated
Hamilton Cardinals
CardinalsLogo.png
Information
League Intercounty Baseball League
Location Hamilton, Ontario
Ballpark Bernie Arbour Memorial Stadium
Founded 1958
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
ManagerChris Piano
General ManagerGeorge Halim
Website www.iblcardinals.ca

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.

Contents

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 stepping down to take on the role of Player Liaison Coordinator within the organization. Len Picota was subsequently appointed as the new Field Manager for the 2024 season. [8]

Roster

Hamilton Cardinals Roster
Active RosterCoaches
Pitchers:
  • 7 Drew Mainprize
  • 10 Nick Davies
  • 17 Akatsuka Mizuki
  • 19 Corben Peters
  • 20 Connor Cory
  • 23 Jacob Gajic
  • 26 Colby Ring
  • 28 Callum Blue
  • 29 Zach Cameron
  • 32 Casey Bouillere-Howard
  • 39 Chris Boatto
  • 41 Takaki Eguchi
  • 52 Rich Corrente
  • 71 Steven Hospital
  • 88 Kade Kozak



Catchers:
  • 9 Andrew Johnston
  • 14 Luis Bernardo
  • 24 Connor Hicks


Infielders:

  • 1 Rikelbin De Castro
  • 2 Keelor Loveridge
  • 6 Evan Symons
  • 8 Cole Iantomasi
  • 27 Stephen Whalen
  • 30 Josh Niles
  • 44 Tanner Rempel
  • 97 Brendon Daley


Outfielders:

  • 3 Danny Berg
  • 5 Tyler Duncan
  • 16 Dennis Dei Baning
Field Manager:
  • Chris Piano

Coaches:

  • Aidan Muir (First Base Coach)
  • Luis Bernardo (Assistant Coach)

Head Athletic Therapist:

  • Carlo Cardelli

Team Massage Therapist:

  • Patrick Power

Team Chiropractor:

  • Dr. Brittany Boot

Season-by-season records

Hamilton Beavers
YearW-LPCT
19587-25.219
195914-14.500
Hamilton Cardinals
YearW-LPCT
196019-15.559
196119-15.559
Hamilton Red Wings
YearW-LPCT
196610-19.345
196711-17.393
196812-12.500
196916-12.571
Hamilton Marlins
YearW-LPCT
197013-17.433
197111-17.393
197210-18.357
Hamilton Real McCoys
YearW-LPCT
197314-16.467
197413-17.433
Hamilton Cardinals
YearW-LPCT
197511-17.393
19767-25.219
197715-17.469
197819-17.527
19799-21.300
198014-18.438
198114-20.412
19825-28.152
198312-22.352
19846-25.194
198512-24.333
19867-25.219
198710-24.294
198811-23.323
198910-24.294
199010-24.294
199112-22.353
19927-25.219
199316-19.457
199417-18.486
19958-27.229
199612-23.343
199714-22.389
19983-27.100
199915-20.429
200016-19.457
200111-21.344
200222-14.611
200319-17.528
200412-24.333
Hamilton Thunderbirds
YearW-LPCT
200516-18.471
200614-22.389
200716-20.444
200810-26.278
20097-29.194
201012-24.333
20117-28.200
Hamilton Cardinals
YearW-LPCT
20126-30.200
201316-26.381
201411-25.306
201513-23.361
20168-28.222
20179-27.250
201815-21.417
201920-16.556
2020Cancelled due to COVID
202111-19.367
202212-30.286
202319-23.452

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References

  1. 1 2 "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".
  8. "Cardinals Name Lenin Picota New Field Manager".