Hamilton Cardinals

(Redirected from Hamilton Thunderbirds)

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.

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
ManagerChris Piano
General ManagerN/A
Websitewww.iblcardinals.ca

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]

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

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Hamilton Cardinals Roster
Active Roster Coaches
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

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Hamilton Beavers
Year W-L PCT
1958 7-25 .219
1959 14-14 .500
Hamilton Cardinals
Year W-L PCT
1960 19-15 .559
1961 19-15 .559
Hamilton Red Wings
Year W-L PCT
1966 10-19 .345
1967 11-17 .393
1968 12-12 .500
1969 16-12 .571
Hamilton Marlins
Year W-L PCT
1970 13-17 .433
1971 11-17 .393
1972 10-18 .357
Hamilton Real McCoys
Year W-L PCT
1973 14-16 .467
1974 13-17 .433
Hamilton Cardinals
Year W-L PCT
1975 11-17 .393
1976 7-25 .219
1977 15-17 .469
1978 19-17 .527
1979 9-21 .300
1980 14-18 .438
1981 14-20 .412
1982 5-28 .152
1983 12-22 .352
1984 6-25 .194
1985 12-24 .333
1986 7-25 .219
1987 10-24 .294
1988 11-23 .323
1989 10-24 .294
1990 10-24 .294
1991 12-22 .353
1992 7-25 .219
1993 16-19 .457
1994 17-18 .486
1995 8-27 .229
1996 12-23 .343
1997 14-22 .389
1998 3-27 .100
1999 15-20 .429
2000 16-19 .457
2001 11-21 .344
2002 22-14 .611
2003 19-17 .528
2004 12-24 .333
Hamilton Thunderbirds
Year W-L PCT
2005 16-18 .471
2006 14-22 .389
2007 16-20 .444
2008 10-26 .278
2009 7-29 .194
2010 12-24 .333
2011 7-28 .200
Hamilton Cardinals
Year W-L PCT
2012 6-30 .200
2013 16-26 .381
2014 11-25 .306
2015 13-23 .361
2016 8-28 .222
2017 9-27 .250
2018 15-21 .417
2019 20-16 .556
2020 Cancelled due to COVID
2021 11-19 .367
2022 12-30 .286
2023 19-23 .452

References

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  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".
  8. ^ "Cardinals Name Lenin Picota New Field Manager".
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