Leones-Johnnys AAABA record could fall

by Joe DiBlasi

The All-American Amateur Baseball Association Tournament that began in 1945 will hold the 64th edition of the event in Johnstown, Pa., on August 11, and  Baltimore's Youse Maryland Orioles will be in quest of their sixth consecutive AAABA Championship.  Teams from Baltimore have been in the event since 1946.

Baltimore won the event in 1957 under the banner of Leone's. Leone's won again in '59, '67 and '72.  Johnnys- Leones won in '73, '76 and '77, and then five in a row from 1979 to 1983.

Coach Dean Albany's Orioles tied that record last year with their fifth consecutive championship.

"This year's team may be the best we've ever taken to Johnstown," said Albany, who has had 10 players on the 2008 squad drafted by major league teams.  Second-baseman L.J. Hoes and pitcher Oliver Drake have signed with the Orioles.

First-baseman Tyler Massey signed with the Colorado Rockies, catcher Zach Moore inked a deal with the Florida Marlins,  shortstop Derrik Gibson is under contract with the Boston Red Sox and pitcher Paul Clemens has signed with the Atlanta Braves.

In addition, catcher John Hicks was drafted by the California Angels, but has opted to attend the University of Virginia.  Pitcher Kevin Brady, the Maryland State Gatorade Player of the Year was also drafted by the Orioles, while pitcher Quinn Miller was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates and pitcher Jarrett Martin, from Centennial High Shool in California, was drafted by the Orioles.  Brady is expected to sign soon.

Leone's played in the tournament from 1952 through 1972, when the Leone brothers -- Dom, Tony and Vince -- sponsored the team.  In 21 years, Leones had 1,365 wins and just 189 losses.

Johnny Wilbanks joined as a sponsor in '73.  Johnny's- Leones would win the title two more times, in ''85 and '87. 

Corrigan's Insurance was the sponsor when Baltimore won in 1990, '91 and '96, and the Youse-Orioles, who are sponsored by the Baltimore Orioles, have won five in a row from 2003 through 2007.

Al Kaline played for Leone's in 1952.  The Detroit Tiger Hall of Famer won the American League batting title in 1955 at the age of 20, when he hit .340.  Kaline played for 22 years for the Tigers.  He made the A.L. All-Star team 15 times and he won 10 Gold Gloves as a right-fielder.

Kaline played for Coach Ray Muhl, who guided the team before the legendary Walter Youse took over in 1957.  Youse ran the club until 2003.  His club was 223 and 82 in the AAABA tourney, and had amassed over 3,000 wins during his tenure.

Coach Geoege Henderson worked with the team for 50 years.  Recently, when Al Kaline visited the Sports Legends Museum at Oriole Park, Henderson named his "all-time" team.

Outfielders; Kaline, Reggie Jackson, Ron Swoboda
Infielders; Willie Mays Aikens, Jim Spencer, George Kazmarek, Phil Linz,  Brad Faulk, Barry Shetrone (who played shortstop before becoming a big league outfielder)
Catcher; Charlie Sands
Pitchers: Don Gallon, Dave Jones, John O'Connor, Tom Phoebus, John Miller, Paul Hartzell and Dave Boswell

Youse once told Henderson that Aikens was the best natural hitter that ever played in the organization.

This year's pitching staff  will be amomg the best ever according to current skipper Dean Albany.  Brady, Miller, Scott Swinson, Jarret Martin,  Paul Clemens and Drake all have the potential to become major league stars.

We would add pitchers Gavin Floyd and Denny Neagle to Henderson's team, and catcher Butch Wynegar.   Albany adds pitchers Nick Adenhart (Angels) and Kevn Hart (Cubs), and an all-around performer, Renard Brown, who played in the Seattle organization.