BY TOM SEIPP, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.
At St. Bonaventure University, there have been countless changes to the university. Whether it’s athletic field renovations, expansion and additions of schools and countless administrative changes, there has been one constant for the last 36 years: head coach Larry Sudbrook at the helm of the Bonaventure baseball program.
In the 2022 season, that will change. Sudbrook announced his retirement, effective Dec. 31, Monday.
“It’s been the greatest honor of my life to coach at St. Bonaventure University,” Sudbrook said.
Sudbrook retires with 725 wins, leaving him the winningest coach in Bonaventure history, and 321 Atlantic 10 wins.
The decision may seem abrupt to some, but not to Sudbrook. He said the plan of retiring was “in the works for the last year and a half.”
“I didn’t feel like I had the same edge that I used to,” Sudbrook said. “At St. Bonaventure, we had to play with a chip on our shoulder because we were the underdog in the conference. I felt like I lost a little bit of that the last couple years.”
After he coached the Bonnies in the last weekend series in the spring against Fordham, Sudbrook admitted that he knew that was the last game he coached. He wanted to finish out one more fall session as a head coach before he left.
“The only reason I’m doing it now is because I wanted to coach one more fall. I love fall baseball,” Sudbrook said. “I mean, you bring in the new guys, you want to see how much the old guys improved from collegiate summer ball. The weather’s spectacular, you practice and workout every day. I love fall.”
For the players, the regular team meeting on Monday morning had players turn into a state of shock.
“I definitely didn’t see it coming,” junior catcher Jackson DeJohn said. “Being here for these two years so far and into the third year, he’s meant a lot. He coached my father, so it was an honor for me to also play for him and I’ll 100% miss having him as a coach.”
The three-time Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year leaves with countless accomplishments and accolades, but the impact he had on his players is what he claims to be his biggest accomplishment.
Sudbrook said he’s received countless messages congratulating him on his retirement, as well as stories that he has been able to reminisce over from the last 36 years.
“Some of these things you just look at and you get a little misty,” Sudbrook said. “I mean, it’s nice to hear guys say things, things that you don’t think about.”
Marc Tramuta, the New York Mets Director of Amateur Scouting, who made the Bonaventure baseball team as a walk-on in 1988, credits a lot of his athletic success from Sudbrook’s coaching.
“I don’t get drafted if it wasn’t for him. I don’t learn the game at that level if it wasn’t for him,” Tramuta said. “He was a hard ass… But, he just wanted to get that competitiveness out of everybody and push everybody to where they were out of their comfort zones. I think you appreciate that, as most players do, after you leave.”
After Tramuta graduated and played in the Los Angeles Dodgers minor league system, he returned to Bonaventure to become an assistant coach, where he saw a different perspective of Sudbrook.
“He was just pushing you to get the best out of your ability. He’s probably the most competitive person that I know.” Tramuta said. “He was always just a really good baseball guy and a good teacher of the game… He’s a really really good friend and somebody you could lean on to have a conversation with, even when you were done playing.”
For the 2022 season, assistant coach B.J. Salerno, ‘09, will serve as the interim head coach. Salerno played under Sudbrook from 2006-2009, serving as his backstop all four years. Salerno started 152 consecutive games as catcher, including while serving as co-captain his senior year.
“I know that he’s ready to take over this program,” Sudbrook said of Salerno. “He’s a hard worker, a class guy and the best hire I’ve ever made as an assistant coach.”
“BJ is a fantastic coach and I am very excited,” DeJohn said. “He has great relationships with every player on the team and we all have a huge amount of respect for him. I think he’s going to do a great job this year and I’m excited for the season.”
Sudbrook now will have time away from baseball, citing his excitement to go fishing and hunting in his free time. He also has four grandchildren, who he’s excited to spend more time with. His 10-year-old granddaughter is playing fastpitch softball, so local umpires must be on top of their game or they may hear it from the former coach.
After 36 seasons, Sudbrook has hung up the cleats, ending his prodigious career on the diamond at St. Bonaventure.
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From The BV Sports Staff:
Coach Sudbrook,
Thank you for always taking the time to speak with the countless journalists who have had the pleasure of covering your team over the last 36 years. You were always a popular interviewee and we’re all gracious and grateful for the memories made during conversations in your office. Congratulations on retirement!
