Hamilton Cardinals

Last updated
Hamilton Cardinals
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
General managerN/A
ManagerChris Piano
Website www.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.

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 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

Hamilton Cardinals Roster
Active RosterCoaches
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

Hamilton Beavers
SeasonGPWonLostPCTField Manager
195832725.219Dan Lewandowski
1959281414.500Don Cooper
Hamilton Cardinals
1960341915.559Bob Salvisburg
1961341915.559Nels Gilmour
Hamilton Red Wings
1966291019.345Joe Acciaroli
1967281117.393Dan Burgess / Howard Holt
1968241212.500Bill Rowe
1969281612.571Bill Rowe
Hamilton Marlins
1970301317.433Bill Rowe
1971281117.393Mike Buist
1972281018.357Mike Buist
Hamilton Real McCoys
1973301416.467Phil Beaudoin
1974301317.433Rick DeMarchi
Hamilton Cardinals
1975281117.393Rick DeMarchi
197632725.219Rick DeMarchi / Phil Beaudoin
1977321517.469Phil Duffy
1978361917.527Phil Duffy
197930921.300Phil Duffy
1980341418.438Gary Wilson
1981341420.412Greg Higson
198233528.152Greg Higson
1983341222.352Vic Rosser
198431625.194Phil Mavrinac / Gary Wilson
1985361224.333Phil Mavrinac
198632725.219Gary Wilson
1987341024.294Vic Rosser
1988341123.323Tony O'Grady
1989341024.294Vic Rosser Jr.
1990341024.294Vic Rosser Jr. / Dean Dicenzo
1991341222.353John Foden
199232725.219John Foden
1993351619.457Barry Hutton / Dennis Reynolds
1994351718.486Dennis Reynolds
199535827.229Dennis Reynolds
1996351223.343Dennis Reynolds
1997361422.389Dean Dicenzo
199830327.100Dean Dicenzo
1999351520.429Jeff Lounsbury
2000351619.457Jeff Lounsbury
2001321121.344Dennis Reynolds
2002362214.611Dean Castelli
2003361917.528Dean Castelli
2004361224.333S. Nichols / S. Ridley
Hamilton Thunderbirds
2005341618.471Dean Castelli / Montgomery
2006361422.389Montgomery
2007361620.444Jeff Lounsbury
2008361026.278Adeo Calcagni
200936729.194Dennis Reynolds
2010361224.333John Turbitt
201135728.200Matt Fortuna
Hamilton Cardinals
201236630.200Matt Fortuna
2013421626.381Matt Fortuna
2014361125.306Matt Fortuna
2015361323.361Dean Castelli
201636828.222Dean Castelli
201736927.250Dean Castelli
2018361521.417Dean Castelli
2019362016.556Dean Castelli
2020No season due to COVID-19
2021301119.367Dean Castelli
2022421230.286Dean Castelli / Jeff Lounsbury
2023421923.452Dean Castelli
2024421824.439Chris Piano

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".