During the “Roaring Twenties” immigrant communities adapted to American culture by forming baseball clubs. In Hartford, members of the Polish-American community organized St. Cyril’s Baseball Club in 1925. The team represented Saints Cyril and Methodius Parish, a Catholic church established in 1902. The original nine was managed by Jack J. Zekas and assisted by Stanley “Spike” Spodobalski. Catcher Francis “Frankie” Kapinos captained the team from behind the plate.
St. Cyril’s soon joined its first amateur league, the Hartford Amateur Baseball League. Sponsored by the Hartford Courant, the loop was a precursor to the Hartford Twilight League. St. Cyril’s vied for the “Courant Cup” but landed fourth in the standings. Player-manager John Strycharz steered the team which included Bob Young, a pitcher from University of Wisconsin and Ray Swartz of Notre Dame University. The following year, St. Cyril’s scheduled matchups with “fast semi-pro teams”¹ throughout Connecticut.
After a five year hiatus caused by the Great Depression, St. Cyril’s returned to the field in 1933. Nicknamed the Saints, they earned a reputation as Hartford’s best Catholic club. Nearly every player was of Polish descent. Edward Kostek served as the team’s new manager. Jack Repass, an infielder, cut his teeth with St. Cyril’s in 1938, before becoming Secretary of the Twilight League and Founder of the Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball Hall of Fame.
The club won its first championship in 1939 as part of the Central Connecticut League. Then St. Cyril’s secured the Connecticut District Semi-Pro Title of 1940. Pitching aces, Casimir “Cos” Wilkos and Yosh Kinel headlined the roster. Also on staff was Walter “Monk” Dubiel, a 22 year old rookie who later became one of Hartford’s all-time hurlers following a career with the Yankees and Cubs. After their days with St. Cyril’s, all three pitchers (Wilkos, Kinel, and Dubiel) were inducted into the GHTBL Hall of Fame.
In the wake of World War II, St. Cyril’s rejoined the Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League. Nearly every game was held at Municipal Stadium or on one of a dozen skin diamonds at Colt Park. Standout players for manager Kostek during the 1940s were Pete Sevetz and Charlie Puziak. Some men played ball to forget the horrors of war. Others played for the love of the game and in between work hours – not unlike amatuer players of today.
Manager Kostek led St. Cyril’s on a winning crusade during the 1950s. Several professional players suited up for the run, including Charlie Wrinn, Don Deveau and Ed Samolyk. They conquered multiple titles starting with a sweep of the 1951 Hartford Twilight League Season Title and Playoff Championship. Then the club nabbed the 1956 Season Title and Playoff Championship. In 1957, they captured the State Semi-Pro Title and the Eastern Regional Semi-Pro Title.
The Polish National Home hosted a testimonial dinner in honor of Ed Kostek and his St. Cyril’s Baseball Club in 1958. Former Business Manager of the Hartford Chiefs, Charles Blossfield gave remarks commending Kostek for his coaching achievements. Also in attendance were Brooklyn Dodgers scout John “Whitney” Piurek of West Haven and Kostek’s former player and longtime friend, Monk Dubiel.
St. Cyril’s last pennant-winning season came in 1960. The club finished first in the twilight league with a 17-4 win-loss record. Outfielder and GHTBL Hall of Famer, Robert Neubauer was the team’s star player (Neubauer later became a celebrated coach at Sheehan High School in Wallingford, CT). The team played its finally season in 1962 and the Catholic baseball dynasty was retired after 35 years.
Sources
- Hartford Courant database on Newspapers.com
- 1929 to 1979 GHTBL 50th Anniversary Program