The 1990 Xaverian City Championship baseball team (Photo by Jim Mancari)

Xaverian Hall of Fame Welcomes 1990 City Championship Baseball Team

The 1990 City Championship varsity baseball team was inducted into the Xaverian H.S., Bay Ridge, Hall of Fame March 9. Thirteen members of that team returned to accept the honor, and the team’s head coach, Lou Piccola, spoke on the team’s behalf. Joining the team on the auditorium screen via Skype was Jay Gavigan, a […]

Better Luck Next Year For Mike Piazza

When Brooklyn diocesan hero Mike Piazza retired after the 2007 MLB season, there was really only one question: Would he wear a New York Mets or Los Angeles Dodgers cap after being voted into the Hall of Fame five years later on the first ballot? However, following the vote of the Baseball Writers’ Association of […]

The famous handshake

Faith Inspires ‘Shotgun’ Shuba’s Baseball Dream

The name “George Shuba” likely rings a bell for many Brooklyn Dodgers’ fans. Back in the glory days of baseball at Ebbets Field, Shuba and “Dem Bums” captivated the borough of Kings. These days, “Shotgun” Shuba, now 87, can still recall the memories of his baseball career. Through it all, he’s relied on his Catholic […]

New Auxiliaries Share Love of the Game

The Diocese of Brooklyn’s two new auxiliary bishops — Bishop Paul Sanchez and Bishop Ray Chappetto — are two passionate men. They are passionate about doing everything in their power to help others and spread the mission of Jesus Christ throughout the diocese. However, the two auxiliaries share another passion: baseball, America’s pastime. From a […]

Jim Mancari

Cyclones Pitcher Has Symbolic Glove

In baseball, it’s common for players to adorn their gloves with personal symbols such as their initials, their autographs, the area code where they grew up or the flag of their country of origin. Brooklyn Cyclones lefty relief pitcher John Mincone, a Huntington, L.I., native, has followed this trend — however not by using any […]

Mets’ Baxter’s Catch Preserved History

It took the New York Mets 8,020 games, but on June 1, 2012, lefty ace Johan Santana tossed the first no-hitter in franchise history. Santana was the star that evening, but it was an incredible defensive gem from Whitestone native Mike Baxter that preserved the no-hit bid. Baxter, a graduate of Archbishop Molloy H.S., Briarwood, […]

Jim Mancari

Tablet All-Stars for H.S. Baseball, Softball

With another season of Brooklyn/Queens CHSAA baseball in the books, here’s a look at The Tablet’s 2012 All-Star team. Special thanks to the league’s coaches for providing nominations. Each team features five infielders, four outfielders, two catchers and four pitchers. Baseball First Team Infielders Nelson Lopez, Bishop Ford H.S., Park Slope — Junior, .391 batting average, […]