2025 VETERAN COMMITTEE ELIGIBLE MANAGERS
The following candidates are eligible for the 2025 MWBL Veterans Committee Election Vote.
ELIGIBLE MANAGERIAL CANDIDATES
Through at Least – Six Years of Mid-West Baseball League Service
Sergio Ivone – Detroit Crime (2151 – 2125 – .503%) – 27 Years of Service Time
Sergio joined the league as Hamtramck in 1998 along with LA, Midland, and Connecticut. The franchise moved to Detroit in 1999. Overall the Detroit franchise has posted a winning percentage of .494 in 10 seasons with the Mid-West Baseball League. Sergio won the A.L. East and Manager of the Year in 1999 and 2004. The franchise lost in the first round vs. Columbus three games to two. Detroit also won the wildcard in 2000 then beat Division winner Chicago three games to one, In the 04 Division series winner last season the Crime went into a rebuilding mode and hopes to get back to winning ways soon.
Scott Farquharson – Yonge Street Stalkers (1881 – 2070 – .476%) – 25 Years of Service Time
Scott Farquharson is honored to have met the criteria for HOF eligibility. His efforts are now focused on trying to rebuild his once-kinda-powerful Yonge Street squad. Scott is getting anxious with the current combination of youngsters and veterans and views 2014 as a crossroads. The young players that have been added in recent years must begin to steer the Stalker’s fortunes in a positive direction.
Nevertheless, The Stalkers are excited to be on a path toward respectability. The next step on the road to HOF relevance will be mixing in an array of farm team talent while still playing respectable ball. The Career .500 mark is still the next “big picture” milestone for Yonge Street. If all goes according to plan…this projection would end with hard-earned, serious consideration for the MWBL HOF.
Casey Hoch – Fremont Cannons (1842 – 1950 – .486%) – 24 Years of Service Time
Casey has been in the league since 2000, managing the lame-duck franchise of East Erie Lake during the end of that season. He achieved full franchise status in the off-season and moved the franchise to Fremont. The early years were marked by trades of veterans to pick up prospects and draft picks; in fact, Fremont set the MWBL record at the time for most first-round picks with 5 in 2001. From 2004-2011, the Cannons found some on-field success and did not finish lower than second in the division.
Fremont first won the division in 2004 with an 85-77 record, then finished second in the division in 2005 and 2006. That was followed by two consecutive AL East titles in 2007 and 2008. In 2007, the Cannons squeaked out the division title with an 82-80 record but became the first AL East team in MWBL history to advance to the ALCS. Down 3 games to none, they shocked the Chicago Mobsters by winning the final 4 games of the series before falling in the ALCS. The Cannons finished second in the division again in 2009 and 2010, but in 2011 Fremont again took first place in the division.
The next eight years saw a downturn in fortunes as they were involved in a rebuilding project, which netted only a single season above 70 wins in that time, but saw them stock the farm system with promising young bats. The Cannons did not net a Futures ranking lower than 8th between 2012-2022 and finished 1 or 2 in 5 of the seasons. Finally, in 2020, the Cannons broke through with 86 wins, their first winning season since 2011. Fremont then advanced to the (expanded) playoffs in the pandemic-shortened 2021 season.
It all came together perfectly for the Cannons in 2022, going wire-to-wire as the top team in league with 121 wins in the regular season and going on to win the World Series. Fremont scored the most runs of any team in 2022, while allowing the fewest runs in the American League. 2013 11th rd pick Carlos Rodon took home WS MVP, while 2016 5th rd pick Shohei Ohtani was AL MVP.
Other franchise highlights include winning the AL Gold Glove for pitchers four years in a row (2001-2004), having back-to-back Rookies of the Year (Jay Payton-2001, Roy Oswalt 2002), and getting the MVP-CYA double in 2024. Having won a World Series, the next great achievement for Fremont would be getting to a lifetime .500 record.
In addition to running the Fremont franchise, Casey also has assisted the league by helping to assemble the season disk on draft day and by organizing the ballots and determining eligibility for the Post-Season Awards and MWBL Hall of Fame. Casey is a Detroit Tigers fan and is hoping that they can follow his lead to success.
Cliff Miller – Coconut Creek Crushers (1510 – 1959 – .435%) – 22 Years of Service Time
Cliff joined the MWBL just prior to the 2003 draft. He assumed ownership of the Warfield Cheesehead squad, then moved them to Coconut Creek, Florida, and renamed them the Crushers. The team was immediately blown up and a 3-year rebuilding project began. Going into that 3rd year it was determined that a .500 record was not good enough. So a few remaining veterans were traded away in order to get more young talent. This turned out to be a good strategy as the young talent was ready to bloom in year 5. After winning a total of 156 games in years 1-4, the Crushers became playoff caliber and won a combined 191 games in years 5-6. Would have been a great success story except the MWBL American League is incredibly stacked. So far the Crushers have not had the pleasure of participating in the post-season. The 2009 squad has a good chance to end that drought and start adding baseballs to our webpage.
Brian Mazurek – Southwest Detroit Fighting Chihuahuas (1179 – 1640 .418%) – 18 Years of Service Time
Took over a sick team a few weeks before the 2007 draft. With not much time to research, that draft yielded only one strong pick: Jacoby Ellsbury. The next years or 2008 and 2009 were bleak record-wise but through solid, smart trades and strong drafts, built Elyria into a perennial contender in the AL East. 2010 (106 wins) and 2012 (99 wins) gave Elyria first-place finishes. Elyria made it to the AL Championship round of the playoffs in 2010.
Mazurek has completely turned over the roster of the team he inherited and has even had an MVP (Pablo Sandoval). Through research and trading, Brian hopes to be in the MWBL World Series soon.
Peter Kilmarx – Long Beach Dirt Bags (1190 – 1468 .448%) – 17 Years of Service Time
Until Peter Kilmarx wins a title or has a more accomplished track record than he currently has, Peter doesn’t think he should be considered for the Hall of Fame. Hopefully, in the future, Peter will have the success he desires to be considered.
Jim Farmer – Valdosta Snappers (1091 – 1405 – .437%) – 16 Years of Service Time
Jim’s Bio not provided
Nik Malatestinic – Bethesda Bandicoots (1113 – 1221 – .477%) – 15 Years of Service Time
I grew up in Montreal and lived and breathed the Expos (sorry to everyone about that stupid mascot Youpie!) and died a little when they left only to be reborn when the Washington Nationals finally shook off the last cobwebs of the old ownership. I’ve come to realize that I know more than some people about the game but knew enough to know that what I did know was hardly enough. I’ve always believed that the core of a good team is always on the mound and that a good pitching staff with good defense can beat a good-hitting team 4 times out of five. Sorry Mr. Eckersley, but I think that a good starting pitcher is to be coveted while a relief pitcher is to be held in contempt. A few jokes about relievers lacking the staying power of starters comes to mind, but that’s for another day. I’ve been playing APBA’s BBW since version 2.0 first came out and peaked at being in about eight leagues a few years ago and now have pared down to the best of them sticking with that “Less is More” philosophy. Every player should be more like Kirby Puckett and Lou Gehrig and less like Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds. Keeping with the Nationals theme my favorite current players are Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer. I was born in Eastern Europe (I bet with my last name you figured I was Irish) and moved to Montreal in 1966 at the ripe old age of two where I lived until I was 17 whereupon I was dragged kicking and screaming from the best city on earth to what I thought was the worst place on earth – Saint John, New Brunswick in eastern Canada. It’s funny how things work out … Saint John is still the asshole of the world, but without coming here I never would have had the unbelievable good fortune to have an awesome and tolerant wife and four amazing children (now aged 27, 23, 20, and 9) all of whom who have in their short time on earth not only exceeded every expectation I had of them but also have far surpassed their old man. Their one Achilles’ Heel is having no appreciation of baseball … save for my youngest who closed out her end-of-season boys’ little league double-header with four homers and 19 RBIs in 8 at-bats? Another important thing about moving to this city is that I had the good fortune to stagger into the Beats and Bytes pawnshop and computer supply store about 25 years ago and there found BBW 2.0. As I mentioned I have been in a fair number of leagues, but this one is the only one of two in all that time that the owner took the time to call me prior to my joining to see if it was a good fit. Maybe it’s the dedication and savvy of the commissioner and the other team owners, but being in and winning in this league has always meant more. Thanks for having me … as my wife is fond of telling me I seem to take great joy in being had.
Brian Devine – Southbend Lynx (1119 – 1214 – .480%) – 15 Years of Service Time
Brian Devine’s journey with the Southbend Lynx is a testament to his enduring passion for baseball and his unwavering commitment to the Mid-West Baseball League (MWBL). Over his 15-year tenure, Brian was a respected figure in the league, known for his strategic acumen and dedication to building a competitive team.
Growing up in the heart of baseball country, Brian was immersed in the sport from a young age. His love for the game was nurtured by countless hours spent looking at the cards, where he developed a deep appreciation for the nuances of baseball strategy. This early passion laid the foundation for his future success as a manager in the MWBL.
Brian’s managerial career with the Southbend Lynx has been marked by a series of strategic decisions that have shaped the team’s trajectory, following his belief that the power of a strong lineup can outmatch even the most potent formidable rotation.
Throughout his career, Brian has demonstrated a keen eye for talent, often making bold moves to acquire promising hitting cards while maintaining a core of experienced veterans. His approach has led to many competitive seasons, with the Lynx frequently challenging for playoff spots and earning respect across the league.
Despite the challenges of managing in a highly competitive environment, Brian’s leadership has been characterized by resilience and adaptability. He has navigated the ups and downs of the league with grace, always keeping an eye on building a sustainable winning culture within the Lynx organization.
Off the field, Brian is known for his humility and sense of humor, along with never closing his mouth. The DUDE CAN TALK! Often sharing anecdotes from his early days in the cards and dice and his experiences in all his leagues. Brian’s dedication to the league and his team is matched only by his commitment to his family, with whom he has a much deeper love than even the cards.
As Brian Devine is eligible for the MWBL Hall of Fame, his legacy as a manager is defined not just by his win-loss record, but by the impact he has had on the Southbend Lynx and the league as a whole. His contributions to the game and his unwavering passion for baseball make him a deserving candidate for this prestigious honor.
John Niespodzianski – Pittsburgh Lumber Company (1113 – 1059 .512%) – 14 Years of Service Time
I want to withdraw my name from consideration for the Hall of Fame? No league titles and a .484 career-winning percentage are not worthy, in my eyes. I will gladly accept a nomination once our career record exceeds .500 and we win at least one championship! NOTE: John achieved a .512 winning percentage before leaving the league.
Jim Craddock – Motor City Muscle (896 – 1276 .413%) – 14 Years of Service Time
Jim’s Bio not provided
Jarl Jackson – Dallas Cougars (879 – 1130– .438%) – 13 Years of Service Time
Jarl’s Bio not provided
Wally Bender – Jersey Nor’Easters (928 – 920 – .502%) – 12 Years of Service Time
I agree with John N. almost word for word. I don’t deserve HOF consideration at this point, not with a winning percentage below 500. Please withdraw my name from consideration. I will write a short bio in anticipation of having a couple of winning seasons. NOTE: Wally achieved a .502 winning percentage before leaving the league.
I was born and raised in Gary, Indiana widely believed to be the worst possible place to be raised. The one redeeming factor was that I worked in the steel mills that stretched for 22 miles along the south shore of Lake Michigan every summer. I earned enough money to pay for most of my college expenses at Purdue University. After a period of time in which I married, had two kids, and moved twice we eventually wound up in New Jersey in 1977. We planned on staying no more than 2-3 years as NJ seemed like a foreign country where the people talked funny. We’re still here and even in retirement, we live in this high-cost state. Actually, NJ isn’t so bad.
I got introduced to APBA by a neighbor who knew I was a big baseball fan. We played the basic game, eventually moved up to the Master game, and found other guys who played the game. We formed a league we cleverly called “The League” and had weekly sessions where we played an 81-game schedule. We paid dues, had a trophy with each year’s winner engraved on it, and had a banquet and the end of the year. The games were hotly contested, loud, and sometimes dangerous. During the Championship Series one year, – one of the participants got so mad at a bad role he threw his dice cup and accidentally hit his opponent in the eye that eventually requiring medical treatment. “The League” lasted a fair number of years but life circumstances eventually caused us to dissolve.
My old neighbor who I started playing the basic game with called me out of the blue one night a few years ago and said we’re back in business. He discovered the computer game and here I am.
Ken Kuryliw – Selkirk Steelers (896 – 952 – .485%) – 12 Years of Service Time
Ken’s Bio not provided
Pat Vukelich – Triple Creek Patriots (758 – 766 – .497%) – 10 Years of Service Time
I began rolling the basic game in 1976 at the age of 8 as two older brothers got me hooked early. The distinct sound of a yellow dice shaker was rattling somewhere in the house most days of my childhood. I joined my first dice APBA baseball league in 1987 at the age of 19 and 33 years later I am still in that same league. Being in Information Technology, and a programmer by trade, I have always been drawn to Sabermetrics and the computer version of the game. It took several failed computer leagues for me to finally stumble upon an ad for MWBL and was fortunate to collect an invitation from Stray for a franchise. Right away I knew this league was going to be different, and oh, how it is. Nearly six years into taking over an aging team needing a rebuild, I have been rewarded with some risky trades for Corey Seager and Shane Bieber, a bit of luck drafting (Cody Bellinger / Andrew Benintendi / Michael Kopech / Keston Hiura), to hopefully have the ship heading in a good direction. Since manning the helm the Patriots have achieved some solid success which is reflected in their 466-506 (.479) record. After their inaugural draft in 2015, the Patriots had garnered the 10th-best team Futures points and after the 2017 draft, they were #1 in this category. The franchise has won 96 games twice in the first six years and just missed a division title win by just two games in 2020. Finishing 2nd in the NL West three of the last four years Triple Creek has been on the rise. Two Wild Card playoff series wins have netted game six and game five losses in the Division Series round. Eight different Patriot players have made All-Star appearances with two making it as starters (Michael Brantley 2015 / Cody Bellinger 2019). Grateful to be a small cog in what the MWBL is and look forward to many years ahead battling for a World Series title.
Barry Abrams – Mesa Solar Sox (645 – 717 – .474%) – 9 Years of Service Time
Unfortunately, the MWBL lost a tremendous owner this year.
Barry Abrams was an entrepreneur not only in his life, but also his APBA career, which includes his accomplishments in MWBL.
Barry attended Yale University, then decided that it wasn’t for him. He eventually took several sales jobs and ended up back in college, graduating from Connecticut. His professional career included being a Pizza Hut regional manager. Eventually, he opened his own restaurant called the San Tan Cafe in Queen Creek, Arizona. Barry was always hospitable and provided free breakfast when a fellow APBA owner would stop by.
In fact, it’s a little-known fact that Barry put in an offer to buy APBA because he knew the game so well and could help with sales. It’s unfortunate that his offer was turned down…
Barry was a genuinely enthusiastic APBA and baseball fan. He had a partial season ticket plan with the Arizona Diamondbacks and frequently attended Arizona fall baseball with visitors. He was constantly looking for prospects that he could add to his Mesa Solar Sox roster. You could bring up a prospect’s name and Barry would give you his thoughts on that player. Though Barry liked the Dbacks, he actually grew up a Yankees fan.
Besides the MWBL, Barry was involved in many other leagues, which probably gave him an edge in picking up some extra wins. Apart from his record, Barry brought many intangible contributions to the league. What better way to hear about Barry than by hearing from Barry himself…
Christmas 1970 in New Haven, Connecticut saw a 16-year-old baseball nerd receive what his mother calls “The worst mistake I ever made”. It was the Christmas present that just keeps on giving, even after 52 years, 2 colleges, 3 marriages, 6 kids, and one cross-country move from the snowy east coast to the low desert of Arizona.
It was the 1969 card edition of the APBA baseball game.
Besides my parents and my 2 siblings, my relationship with APBA is my life’s longest. It saw me through births, deaths, divorces, career changes, and more highs and lows than one man want or deserves.
Starting with playing the 1969 season solo, through face-to-face and then mail leagues, the computer version of the game, and now over the internet play, this game has been a constant companion, source of inspiration, frustration, and a lifelong love for baseball that, even in the darkest times, has sustained me, nourished me, and made me whole……. Ok… Some of that is BS.
What a great game, though. I started my love of the game standing in front of Kresge’s Department store as a 6-year-old in downtown New Haven, watching Bill Mazeroski crushing my Yankees in the 1960 World Series. The Yankees were GODS and to see them go down to defeat was my life’s first lesson. Gods sometimes lose, too.
On my block, you could walk from one end of the street to the other and not miss a single play of the Yankee game because everyone was on their stoops listing to the game! That’s how important the game was in that culture.
I was at the first bat day at Yankee Stadium in 1963. I saw the decline of the mighty Yankees in the mid-60s. I saw the resurrection in the 70s. I saw Reggie blast 3 World Series homers in one game. I saw the flags at half mast for fallen hero Thurman Munson.
Then I moved to Arizona, a baseball wasteland, in 1980. The only games to see were the Giants AAA team (ugh!) or, better still, spring training games, and believe me, you have not lived until you saw the Padres play a spring training game in Yuma!
APBA filled the hole, fortunately, until the Diamondbacks came into being in 1998. In 2001, even after the horror of 9/11, baseball helped heal the pain with a classic World Series between my Yankees and my new love, the DBacks. I could not lose. Whoever won was OK with me. My friends could not understand how I could have split loyalties, but it was easy!
Now, my APBA journey has taken me to the MWBL, a great league where it is a challenge to build a sustainable winning franchise. I’ve made the playoffs 2 times in 7 years, but the consistency I seek is elusive. Trading away Jabob DeGrom did not help…
Chris DeMercurio – Corktown Cycle (591 – 771– .434%) – 9 Years of Service Time
Chris’s Bio not provided
Jamie Campbell – Harsens Island Walleye (377 – 661 – .363%) – 7 Years of Service Time
Jamie’s Bio not provided
Brad Stark – Portland Lumber Jax (368 – 508 – .420%) – 6 Years of Service Time
Brad’s Portland Lumber Jax spent 6 years in the MWBL. His team improved to .500 in his final season and looked poised to be a contender in the near future when, tragically, he lost his life in a cycling accident.
Brad was an invaluable member of the Mid-West Baseball League & Mid-West Winter League, always ready to lend a helping hand & contribute his expertise whenever needed. His dedication, enthusiasm, and unwavering commitment to the League were truly admirable. Brad’s warm personality & infectious spirit made him an instant favorite among our members, & he will be profoundly missed.
Beyond his involvement in our Leagues, Brad was known for his love for cycling & his woodworking, passions that brought him joy & fulfillment. His enthusiasm for riding his bike was infectious, & he inspired many with his zest for life. Brad’s adventurous spirit was an inspiration to us all, encouraging us to pursue our passions fearlessly. In addition to his contributions to the League, Brad left behind a loving family who meant the world to him.
Michel Charlebois – Rosemere Renegades (289 – 587 – .330%) – 6 Years of Service Time
Michel’s Bio not provided