On April 23 at the Onondaga Community College Baseball Complex, Joe Antonio a member of the class of 1969, who founded OCC’s baseball program 45 years ago, was honored when the third base dugout at OCC’s baseball stadium was named in his honor.
Joining in the recognition were former OCC Baseball Manager Joe Antonio, former OCC baseball player Mark Sherlock, and OCC President Dr. Casey Crabill.
A plaque honoring Antonio and his contributions to OCC’s baseball program were unveiled in the third base dugout.
Antonio is a native of Syracuse’s North Side who graduated from Central Tech High School and earned his college degree at OCC in 1969 when the campus was located downtown in Midtown Plaza.
In 1977 he pitched OCC on the idea of starting a club baseball team.
He would manage the team and equip players with uniforms and gear from the Syracuse Junior Chiefs whom he also managed.
OCC’s team used West Genesee High School’s field for its home games and practiced wherever it could find an available field. After one season, baseball became an official team sport at OCC.
Antonio coached OCC Baseball for 23 seasons, compiling a won-loss record of 421-251.
His teams made 19 post season appearances, earned 8 Region III championships, one Northeast District Championship, and made one Junior College World Series appearance.
He coached 10 All-Americans, 16 players who would play professionally, and two who made it to the major leagues. Also, 120 of his players earned scholarships to continue playing at four-year colleges.
Onondaga Community College opened its on-campus baseball stadium in 2014. The dugout naming in Antonio’s honor was approved by OCC’s Board of Trustees in October 2019, but the Lazers did not play in 2020 or 2021 due to COVID.
Following Saturday’s ceremony, OCC’s baseball team played doubleheader against Genesee Community College.
