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, Carmen's Group and Dennis Concordia
ManagerLenin Picota
General ManagerGeorge Halim
Websitewww.iblcardinals.ca

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 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.

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 Carmen's Group was formed, then again in 2022 when the ownership structure was changed to include local businessman Eric Spearin as the majority owner with Carmen's Group maintaining a minority position.[2]

On November 16, 2022, 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]

On May 21 2023, the Hamilton Cardinals retired #13 in honor of Dean Dicenzo. [4] This was the first jersey number retired in franchise history.

The 2023 season experienced significant growth for the organization as the Cardinals set new records for attendance, TV viewership, and merchandise sold. [5] On the field, Outfielder Tyler Duncan won the franchise's first-ever IBL Most Valuable Player and John Bell Memorial Trophy. Duncan recorded a .355 average with 6 doubles, 5 triples, league-leading 16 home runs, and 51 RBI while starting in all 42 regular season games.[6] Duncan also set new franchise records in HRs and RBIs.

At the conclusion of the 2023 season, long-time Manager Dean Castelli resigned and joined the Front Office as a Player Liaison Coordinator. The organization named Lenin Picota the new Field Manager for the 2024 season.[7]

Roster

Hamilton Cardinals Roster
Active RosterInactive RosterCoaches
Pitchers:
  • 34 Rushil Bhat
  • 47 Brett Lawson
  • 38 Alex Lanigan
  • 19 Corben Peters
  • 31 Stefan Strecker
  • 35 Colby Ring
  • 41 Logan Walters
  • 46 Jake Dean
  • 1 Dylan Clement


 Catchers:
  • 14 Luis Bernardo
  • 45 Aidan Muir
  • 21 Jacob Underwood

Infielders:

  • 25 Brandon Nicholson
  • 6 Laine Renaud
  • 44 Tanner Rempel
  • 2 Charlie Towers
  • 10 Luis Pimentel-Guerrero
  • 30 Josh Niles
  • 23 Dylan Sheperd

Outfielders:

  • 16 Dennis Dei Baning
  • 5 Tyler Duncan
  • 15 Connor Bowie
  • 3 Danny Berg
  • 49 Quin Cotton
  • 20 Tristan Osika
  • Logan Hofmann
 Field Manager:
  • Lenin Picota

Coaches:

  • Chris Piano (Associate Manager)
  • Dr. Mike Sonne (pitching consultant)

Head Athletic Therapist:

  • Carlo Cardelli

Season-by-season records

Hamilton Beavers
YearW-LPCT
19587-25.219
195914-14.500
Hamilton Cardinals
YearW-LPCT
196019-15.559
196119-15.559
Hamilton Red Wings
YearW-LPCT
196610-19.345
196711-17.393
196812-12.500
196916-12.571
Hamilton Marlins
YearW-LPCT
197013-17.433
197111-17.393
197210-18.357
Hamilton Real McCoys
YearW-LPCT
197314-16.467
197413-17.433
Hamilton Cardinals
YearW-LPCT
197511-17.393
19767-25.219
197715-17.469
197819-17.527
19799-21.300
198014-18.438
198114-20.412
19825-28.152
198312-22.352
19846-25.194
198512-24.333
19867-25.219
198710-24.294
198811-23.323
198910-24.294
199010-24.294
199112-22.353
19927-25.219
199316-19.457
199417-18.486
19958-27.229
199612-23.343
199714-22.389
19983-27.100
199915-20.429
200016-19.457
200111-21.344
200222-14.611
200319-17.528
200412-24.333
Hamilton Thunderbirds
YearW-LPCT
200516-18.471
200614-22.389
200716-20.444
200810-26.278
20097-29.194
201012-24.333
20117-28.200
Hamilton Cardinals
YearW-LPCT
20126-30.200
201316-26.381
201411-25.306
201513-23.361
20168-28.222
20179-27.250
201815-21.417
201920-16.556
2020Cancelled due to COVID
202111-19.367
202212-30.286
202319-23.452

References

  1. 1 2 "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. ↑ "Cardinals to retire Dean Dicenzo's #13 on May 21st".
  5. ↑ "The Hamilton Cardinals thank fans".
  6. ↑ "Tyler Duncan Named IBL Most Valuable Player".
  7. ↑ "Cardinals Name Lenin Picota New Field Manager".


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