Tony Saladino Jr. - Godfather of Tampa & Ybor baseball

Educator, historian, baseball enthusiast, and advocate of the gameHighly respected in Tampa's baseball community and known for his contributions, including the Tony Saladino Senior Tournament.Tony's Baseball Beginnings:Tony fell in love with baseball in Ybor City, inspired by Al Lopez. He played in a recreational league before Little Leagues existed, directed by Andrew Espolita, who also influenced Lou Piniella and Tony La Russa.Hillsborough County's Baseball Legacy:Hillsborough County boasts over 95 baseball players who made it to Major League Baseball.Tony reminisces about the vibrant baseball culture and the facilities like Cuscaden Park in Ybor City.Personal Connections and Memorabilia:Tony shares personal stories and mementos from his home, including connections to Wade Boggs and the Al Lopez statue project.He recounts memories of Al Lopez and the impact of the Al Lopez FieldTony Saladino Senior Tournament:Founded in honor of Tony's father, the tournament has been running for 44 years.The tournament started with 11 teams and now features 42 teams from Hillsborough County. The Saladino family, especially Tony's wife, Bertha, played a crucial role in hosting scouts and supporting the tournament's success.Community and Support:The Saladino family provided free admission, programs, and home-cooked meals for scouts The tournament became a significant scouting event, known nationwide for its hospitality and talent showcaseExpansion and Collaboration:The Tampa Bay Rays front office proposed moving the Saladino championship game to Tropicana Field Tony suggested an All-Star game between Hillsborough and Pinellas County instead.The All-Star game continues to strengthen community ties and promote local talent.Notable Players and Awards:The tournament has seen many players go on to Major League Baseball, including Doc Gooden and Dave Magadan. Tony recounts the story of Dave Magadan signing his Alabama scholarship at Tony's home.University of Tampa's Success:Tony shares the pride of seeing his grandson, Nico Saladino, play as a shortstop for the University of Tampa (UT)UT victory in the NCAA Division II World Series.Legacy and Future:Saladino's son now manages the tournament, continuing the family tradition. Tony reflects on his lifelong dedication to baseball aHis motto: "I'm slowing down, but I'm not stopping."Special Thanks to Williams Ross Chernoff's Nomads for the music Makie ElkinoShow Notes created in part by ChatGPTMark can be found on Twitter x.com  @TheBaseballBiz & and at  http://www.baseballbizondeck.comSubscribe, follow and rate the show. Thank you.BaseballBiz is on iheartradio, Stitcher, Apple, and SpotifySpecial thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music “Rocking Forward"