Announcement
Capsule Look at the Chiefs' Franchise
Andre Chiefs - 2015
General
Manager/President: Chuck Andre
Huskins Field, (Tufts
University) Medford, MA |
Manager: Chuck Andre (25th Year) |
The Chiefs’ name and
outstanding baseball tradition have been synonymous since 1957. Carrying the
Hosmer Chiefs name from 1958 to 1984 and the Andre Chiefs banner from 1989 to
the present, the Chiefs have maintained a consistent atmosphere of
professionalism and winning.
The Championships - Through the years the Chiefs have brought 19 baseball championships
to the City of Medford, Massachusetts, including the 2012 and 2014 crowns. They
have won 22 Suburban Twilight League or Intercity League pennants. Remarkably,
the Chiefs have recorded a winning record and have made the playoffs in 49 of
their 51 summers of playing baseball.
The Franchise- The Chiefs franchise
carries a winning percentage of almost .700 over the 2,500 games they have
played over seven decades. In 1966, the Chiefs were named as the top
semi-professional team in America. Since 1957, they have had only five
managers, Ernie Ardolino (1957-1960), Lenny Dempsey (1961-1967), Joe
O’Donnell (1968-1981), Bob DeFelice (1982-1984) and current manager Chuck
Andre 1989-present. The franchise was named as the “Team of the Decade” for
the 1960’s, 1970’s & 1990’s.
The 2015 Coaching Staff
Chuck Andre-Manager (Boston College)
completed his 24th year at the helm in 2014. He recorded his 500th career win
in July of 2012. Andre, who has a career managerial record of 574-314-68, has
piloted the club to 22 playoff appearances, eight regular season pennants, and
six Intercity League Championships. A former right-handed pitcher, Andre played
for the Chiefs in the 1970’s & 1980’s. He has missed the ICL postseason
just twice as a player or manager in 30 seasons. He was inducted into the
Medford High School Hall of Fame in 1995.
Paul Crisafulli- Asst. Manager (NEBI).
Crisafulli first came aboard with the Chiefs in 1997 and has served as a member
of the coaching staff since 2001. He played for the Chiefs from 1997-2000 and
was considered one of the ICL’s best power hitters of that era.
Steve Calabresi- Coach (UMass-Boston) Longtime
Arlington Catholic coach rejoined the Chiefs staff in 2012. Coach Cal was with
the team from 1989 to 1995, has 46 years of experience in the coaching ranks
and has been part of five Chiefs’ championships.
John Veneziano- Coach (Westfield State)
Veneziano joined the Chiefs Staff for the 2012 season. A former Westfield
State standout outfielder, Veneziano played for the Chiefs and was an
outfielder on many Chiefs championship teams of the late 1970’s and 1980’s.
Anthony Durkee- Coach (Salem State). Durkee
returned to the Chiefs dugout in 2012 after spending a few seasons in Florida.
He first came aboard with the Chiefs in 2006. Former standout at Medford High,
graduating in 2004.
Justin Crisafulli- Coach (Central Missouri State) The Chiefs’
all-time career leader in all offensive categories comes onboard as a member of
the staff in 2015. Over his legendary 16 year Chiefs’ career Justin hit 91 Home
Runs, drove in 417 runs, and amassed 567 hits. He first made the club as
a rookie in 1994 and made his final appearance as a player in 2011. The
outfielder signed with the Cleveland Indians in 1997.
The Tradition- The Chiefs baseball
tradition runs deep, as sons have followed their fathers and grandfathers in
wearing the uniform. Over the years playing for the Chiefs became a sandlot
baseball fantasy place where batboys became managers and players, ball boys
became major league pitchers, and many became baseball legends. As former
manager Joe O’Donnell (1968-1981) said at a Chiefs reunion banquet, “once a
Chief, always a Chief.” Still today, Chiefs players from decades gone by return
to watch their team play. There always seems to be a former Chief or two in the
crowd.
Alumni- Through the years, Chiefs
mystique, championships and professionalism always remained constant. Almost
600 semi-professional ballplayers at one time or another wore the Chiefs uniform.
It is estimated that over 115 of those players at some point signed a
professional baseball contract. Two former Chiefs have even appeared in the
World Series, Mike Pagliarulo with the Minnesota Twins in 1991 and Kevin
McGlinchy with the Atlanta Braves in 1999.
Maplewood Park &
South Broadway Field at Malden Catholic Located in Malden, Massachusetts- The Chiefs will play their
night games on the artificial surface of Maplewood Park and the newly
constructed and soon to be renamed South Broadway Field. Both facilities are
located on the campus of Malden Catholic.
Huskins Field at Tufts University Located in Medford,
Massachusetts- The Chiefs play their daytime home games at beautiful Huskins
Field which is located on College Avenue on the campus of Tufts University,
considered to be one of the finest natural grass surfaces in the Northeast.
Record Book- The Chiefs have had the last three ICL MVP’s. Jeff Bercume
(2012), Jared Freni (2013) and Johnny Welch (2014). They also have bragging
rights to two of the all-time winning pitchers in ICL history, Fred Knox
(1957-1973) and Dave Marsters (1989-2008), both who recorded over 110 career ICL
victories. Former Cleveland Indian outfielder and now Assistant Coach Justin
Crisafulli is the career home run leader with 91, hit leader with 567, and RBI
leader with 417. For a complete history of the Chiefs franchise click on the “Chiefs History” tab.