Massachusetts Maritime's Corradi Hits Milestone

By Russ Charpentier, Cape Cod Times Sports

BUZZARDS BAY – Bob Corradi has spent more than half his life pacing around the Massachusetts Maritime Academy dugout. This season may feel the equal of the previous 36 combined, but the 65-year-old Corradi finally put his fingerprints on New England sports history yesterday.

Massachusetts Maritime beat Framingham State 8-0 in the first game of a doubleheader to give Corradi coaching victory No. 500.

Junior David Hike of Riverview, Fla., tossed a complete-game one-hitter and struck out four, while Nick Montalto, a freshman from South Yarmouth, had a pair of hits, including his first career home run – a two-run shot in the top of the third that gave Hike, MMA and Corradi all they'd need.

The Bucs lost in the second game yesterday, 2-1.

It was a long time ago, some 37 years, when he picked up No. 1. That was a 6-4 win over Curry College, and was played at Keith Field over the bridge in Sagamore.

But wins have to be judged differently at MMA, where class and lab work can limit participation and coaches have to take a more realistic view of things. So when you glance at Corradi's overall record of 500-526-5, you might downplay the accolades he receives today.

What's that old saying – scoff at your own risk?

It took Corradi just 10 years to reach 200 wins. Then came a switch to a winter training cruise for the cadets. Baseball players were reduced to hitting off a tee on a ship in preparation for the season.

Top recruits, except those completely dedicated to the classroom and a promising future, went elsewhere. It took him 10 more years just to get to 300, 16 after that to reach 500.

While those who know him realize how the losses tore him up inside, he never gave it up. Never looked elsewhere. He had a job to do in a place he never wants to leave.

A place that he loves despite a Taylor's Point location that sends a bone-chilling wind across Commodore Hendy Field, where true spring warmth doesn't arrive until the bats and balls have been put away for another season.

But there are victories that don't show up on the scoreboard. Life lessons, as the MMA assistants and captain Mark Mozelak pointed out, are Corradi's forte.

"Everybody wants to win, but all of a sudden you don't win a ballgame," Corradi said. "If you haven't taught these kids some life skills in that game, it's a waste."

Winning is a life skill, explained assistant coach Greg Perry: "You walk into an interview, you want to win that interview."

Now, Corradi has 500 those W's in his pocket.

Corradi, and MMA baseball, lived on despite such trying conditions.

Yesterday, the 65-year-old coach finally recorded the milestone long overdue, joining 28th other active Division III coaches at the magic number. Interestingly, only five of those come from New England, where spring baseball is far from a popular attraction.

"I am the luckiest (bleeping) guy who ever coached," the 65-year-old Corradi said. "I wouldn't change a thing. This school has been my entire life."

As expected, former players, opposing coaches and friends have swamped Corradi with phone calls and e-mails as 500 approached.

Former MMA president Jack Aylmer has visited the diamond. Bob Allietta, whom Corradi coached at Falmouth High and who helped Corradi coach the Babe Ruth and American Legion during the summer, has been at the games.

MMA's retired sports information director, Skip Thompson, was on hand for Thursday's loss after getting back from Florida.

Despite the visitors, it's been a trying stretch for the coach. Corradi's been fighting a bug, and he didn't even make practice Wednesday.

But it hasn't stopped him – he was even out raking the mound after a disappointing 24-13 loss to Johnson & Wales on Thursday kept him stuck at 499.

Greg Perry has been Corradi's baseball assistant for 14 years, and has coached soccer at the Academy for 16 years.

"He's still as crazy as ever," Perry said in an affectionate way. "It's a learning experience every day. Not just for the kids but the coaches as well. He's always talking to the kids about life skills and they like that."

That's one thing you heard yesterday from those who have known Corradi. He hasn't changed. He's still fiery, he's still a pacer and worrier. Yet, those who play for him are Corradi followers for life.

Ask Sammy White, who has been an assistant at MMA for seven years and who played for Post 188 and MMA under Corradi.

"He preaches the same family and team mentality," White said. "He bleeds MMA."

Which could explain the loyalty he engenders. "I think because he's not just a coach," White said. "He takes a personal interest in our lives and future. He sends out a letter to his old players every year and he talks about his family and us."

Yesterday were games No. 1,331 and 1,332 for Corradi at MMA – that's 1,030 baseball games and 302 football games he's coached under the MMA banner. That's a lot of games. A lot of players. Coach tries to remember them all.

"I'll be here as long as the administration wants me to be here," he said. "The thing is, I just love to come to work."

The wind is cold and strong, the losses come more frequently these days than the wins. But there are baseball and life to be taught, and student-athletes receptive to the message is there. That's enough for Corradi.

"Sometimes we laugh at what he says, but we buy into it," White said.

Corradi tried to downplay the history. "I coach for the moment," he said.

His eyes, though, told another story.

Five-hundred wins is big, no matter how, when or where.