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Frank Finn Invitational Tryout

05/07/2007 1:26 PM

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for immediate release: 7  May, 2007

Cape League Tryout In Wareham
Named In Memory of Local Editor/Publisher Frank Finn
Frank Finn Invitational Tryout

WAREHAM, Mass. – Frank Finn was a man of many talents – editor, publisher, family-man and provocateur. More than anything, Finn was always there ready to stand up for the underdog.

     Finn, editor, publisher and founder of the Cape Cod Sports Report, passed away March 17 after a long battle against cancer. His legacy will be long remembered by countless fans after the Cape Cod Baseball League Executive Committee unanimously voted recently to name the official CCBL Tryout before the season in his name.

     “I’m delighted we chose to name our tryout after Frank Finn, because nobody cared more passionately about giving Cape Cod players a chance to participate at the CCBL level of play,” said John Wylde, president/GM of the Wareham Gatemen and director of the CCBL Tryout. “When Frank and I started a dialogue several years ago, I felt that he had the mindset that the CCBL didn't care about Cape Cod players, particularly if they attended a small school. As time passed, I felt that his opinion changed and that he believed that he could work productively with the CCBL. I hope that I played some roll in that mind shift. We became good baseball friends - I will miss him.

     It was recently announced that Cathy Finn and local sports writer/editor Sean Walsh will bring back the Cape Cod Sports Report.

     “This honor is such a gift to Frank,” said Cathy Finn, his wife and co-publisher of Cape Cod Sports Report. “He would spend the whole year thinking about athletes he would suggest for invitation to the Cape League tryout, and would encourage the boys to make the effort to try out, once they were chosen. He always felt our home-grown talent was just as good, if not better, than that which could be found anywhere else in the country, and that our local players should be promoted. Thank you so much for naming this tryout after him- and keep choosing those local guys!

     Beginning its 123rd season in 2007, the 10-team Cape League originated in 1885 with individual town teams, was reorganized into the Cape Cod Baseball League in 1923 with teams in Chatham, Falmouth, Hyannis and Osterville and is now the premier collegiate baseball summer league in the country. 

     A total of 198 former Cape Leaguers are currently performing in the major leagues, including former Cy Young Award winner Barry Zito (Wareham ’97-’98), former MVP Frank Thomas (Orleans ’88), former AL batting champions Nomar Garciaparra (Orleans ’93) and Bill Mueller (Bourne ’92), World Series MVP Darin Erstad (Falmouth ’96) and current Boston Red Sox captain Jason Varitek (Hyannis ’91 & ’93).

     Former Cape League alumni of yesteryear include Baseball Hall of Famer Harold “Pie” Traynor, former New York Yankee greats Red Rolfe and Thurman Munson, Cy Young Award winner Mike Flanagan, Rolaids Fireman-of-the-Year Jeff Reardon, long-time major league scout Lennie Merullo and major league manager Nat “Buck” Showalter.

 

John Garner, Jr.
Director of Public Relations & Broadcasting
(508) 790-0394
[email protected]