John was a left -handed pitcher in MLB, who spent six of his seven big league seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, spending his last season with the Detroit Tigers. With his passion for the game, his love of people and his analytic mind, becoming a sports broadcaster was a natural transition for John. Starting with Time Warner Cable in 1993 and ESPN he was back in Toronto working with the CBC in 1997 until his untimely death at the age of 44. He is remembered by his one time producer, Don Peppin "as a sincere, honest, true gentleman; the overwhelming quality of John was his enthusiasm and passion for the game [of baseball]". Widely admired for his goodwill, sportsmanship and exemplary character, John Cerutti was awarded the Good Guy Award by the Toronto chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America in November of 2004, and renaming the honor for him. It is given each year to an individual who best exemplifies a positive image for baseball.
THE CAPITAL DISTRICT BASEBALL HALL of FAME will each year present THE JOHN CERUTTI SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD in his honor. This years award recipient will be presented at the Induction Ceremony.
Capital District Baseball Hall of Fame
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Awards
The Johny Evers Contributor Award is presented to an individual who not only excelled as a player, but also has distinguished himself off the playing field. Johny Evers was by every persons description a scrappy 130 pound middle infielder who got every ounce of ability from his slender frame. John was the middle part of the TINKER to EVERS to CHANCE rhyme, made famous by the ease with which they turned the double play. From 1902-13 John played with the Chicago Cubs going to the World Series four times; winning twice in '07 and '08. He was traded to the Boston Braves in 1914 and they won the World Series that year and was he given the Chalmers award (MVP equivilent). He was traded mid season 1917 to the Phillies and retired from playing at the end of that season. John went on to manage three MLB teams and wrapped up his career managing the Albany Senators.
The Evers Contributor Award this year is being presented to Mike Serbalik, a Siena College great who was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers. After his playing days were over, MIke founded the ALL-STARS SPORTS ACADEMY, now located in Latham, where his state of the art facility is open 12 months a year to youngsters of all ages. Mike, a skilled and effective teacher, has brought the love of the game to hundreds of his students in the Capital District. congratulations on behalf of the board. Well done Mike!!
The Johny Podres Lifetime Achievement Award is named after the famed Dodger lefty who won Game 7 of the 1955 World Series beating the arch rival NY Yankees 2-0. Pitching a shutout against the Yanks brought the Boys of Summer their very first Series Championship over the crosstown Yanks. A youthful 22, Podres would excel on the mound for years to come; then became the most prominent pitching coach in the major leagues. John was a motivator, a teacher, a gentleman and a winner. John passed away in 2007 and leaves behind memories and accomplishments no-one will ever forget.
This year the Podres Award will be presented to George Rogers , founding father of the SOUTH TROY DODGERS. George founded the nationally successful Dodger program 40 years ago and is responsible for hundreds of players receiving DIV. I college scholarships. Congratulations to George , a lifelong Johny Podres fan and a loyal Dodger fan.
George Rogers Founder
SOUTH TROY DODGERS 518-272-3273
The Team Legacy Honor goes to the 1954 Schenectady Little League All Stars Team that won the Little League World Series championship in Williamsport, Pa.
The 1953 team, which lost in the finals a year earlier, vowed to return and return they did! Led by team captain and future MLB player Jim Barbieri, Joe Loudis, Chuck Caputo, Fred Riggi, Jack Scirocco, Joe Kazmar, Johnny Palmer, Chuck Neidel, Mike Rakvica, Ernie Lotano, Bill Masucci, Pete Fennicks, Marty Dwore and another future MLB player Billy Connors; The Schenectady youngsters defeated Florida in the first game of the series 17-0 and finally clinched the win from the Colton, California team 7-5 to become the first and only team from the Capital District to win the national championship. Coached by Mike Maietta, Lew Masucci, Dominick Buonome; the team of 14 lived the dream that all little leaguers have. Now 57 years later, the dream still burns bright. We congratulate this great team and thank them for adding this great accomplishment to Capital District Baseball.
