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 major in the U.S. Military who played on the 1990 team. He is currently stationed in Germany but will soon deploy to Afghanistan. He’s already served three tours in Iraq.

Piccola thanked Gavigan – who was sent a Xaverian baseball hat for the induction ceremony – for his service to the country. Gavigan saluted the audience, which responded with a standing ovation.

Piccola said he didn’t remember any statistics from the championship season, but he recalled the exact date: June 4, 1990.

The Clippers defeated Msgr. Farrell H.S., Staten Island, at Yankee Stadium, the Bronx, to win the first city championship in school history. Since that win, Xaverian has won more city championships in baseball than any team in the CHSAA.

Piccola spoke about each member of his team and thanked his players for their dedication that whole year in capturing the city crown.