Established in 1929
The Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League is one of America’s oldest summer leagues. Previously known as the City Amateur League and the City Independent Twilight League in the 1910s and 1920s, the loop reorganized in 1929 as the Hartford Twilight League.
Sporting goods purveyor, Harry N. Anderson, was the league’s organizer and first President. Local games at Colt Park, Pope Park and Bulkeley Stadium served as entertainment for thousands of fans when baseball was at the height of its popularity.
Other active Hartford leagues included The Times Twilight League, Industrial League, Insurance League, Public Service League and Catholic League.
The Savitt Gems
The Savitt Gems were the most prolific franchise in the early years of the Hartford Twilight League before leaving an indelible mark on Connecticut baseball.
Managed by Bill Savitt, owner of Savitt Jewelers on Asylum Street, the Gems dominated the league, winning three consecutive championships from 1930 to 1932.
The team boasted an impressive roster, including Walter Berg, the club’s ace pitcher, Al Huband, a power hitter, and George Dixon, a towering presence at third base.
After breaking away from the league to become a semi-professional club, the Gems frequently hosted Major League and Negro League teams at Hartford’s Bulkeley Stadium, where they once defeated Jimmie Foxx and the Philadelphia Athletics.
For two decades, Savitt and his Gems showcased the finest talent in Connecticut, earning a national reputation as a formidable independent club.
Amateur Ballplayers Become Local Heroes
The Holy Names also emerged as a prominent club in the early days. Known as the “Names,” they were the first twilight team to advance professional players.
In 1931, their double-play duo, Bert Meisner and Pete Kapura, signed with the Hartford Senators of the Eastern League. Holy Name’s standout first baseman, Jigger Farrell, showed natural talent at the plate and became a cornerstone for the Savitt Gems during their semi-professional run.
Along with Holy Name, successful clubs such as Check Bread, Mahoney’s Service, Mayflower Sales, and Home Circle contributed to the league’s well-attended early seasons.
The Twi-loop Develops Pitching Prospects
The Hartford Twilight League produced its first Major Leaguer in left-handed pitcher Pete Naktenis of the Mayflower Sales. A graduate of Hartford Public High School and Duke University, Naktenis debuted for Connie Mack’s 1936 Philadelphia Athletics.
Another standout Twilight League pitcher was Johnny “Schoolboy” Taylor of the Home Circle club. A Bulkeley High School alumnus, Taylor frequently faced off against Naktenis in spirited rivalry matchups.
Johnny “Schoolboy” Taylor caught the attention of the New York Yankees, but racial discrimination prevented him from signing a contract. After two twilight seasons, Taylor joined the New York Cubans of the 1935 Negro National League.
His career reached a pinnacle during a Negro League All-Star Game at the Polo Grounds, where he threw a no-hitter against Satchel Paige. Taylor broke racial barriers in 1949 by signing with the Hartford Chiefs as the city’s first professional black athlete.
The Munie Years
In 1935, baseball advocates including Harry N. Anderson convinced the City of Hartford to build an enclosed diamond in Colt Park. The new diamond became Municipal Stadium and the Hartford Twilight League took on the moniker, “Munie League.”
However the entire facility was badly damaged by the Northeastern United States flood in March of 1936, and other leagues sprang up as a result. By 1937, the Hartford Twilight League was recast as the East Hartford Twilight League and other players split off into the Central Connecticut Twilight League.
Savitt Gems Host Big League Stars
Meanwhile, the Savitt Gems saved baseball in Hartford by hosting great stars of the game. Before serving in World War II, Ted Williams manned left field for the Gems against the New Britain Cremos at Bulkeley Stadium. On September 29, 1942,”The Kid” batted clean-up, went 2 for 3 and blasted a game-winning solo homer to centerfield.
Three years later, the Gems welcomed Babe Ruth to Hartford for an exhibition against the New Britain Codys. At 50, Ruth put on a home run hitting display in batting practice. He entered the game as a pinch-hitter but grounded out to the pitcher. Ruth’s cameo in Hartford marked his final appearance in a ballgame.
The Twilight League Resumes
In 1946, the Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League reorganized under the leadership of League President, John “Bud” Mahon, later City Treasurer of Hartford. Teams such as Lenny’s Yellow Taxi, West Hartford Merchants and Columbia Athletic Club featured several players returning home as veterans of World War II.
A uniquely outstanding team was the 1950 Nutmeg Dukes, GHTBL’s first all African-American entry. The Dukes dominated the competition and won both Regular Season and Playoff Titles. The team’s shortstop, Harold “Hal” Lewis, later signed with the Boston Braves organization.
St. Cyril’s Leads the League
The 1950s were a decade of growth for the league. Moe Drabowsky of Windsor, Nick Koback of Hartford and Joey Jay of Middletown were signed form the twilight league as free agents and had long careers in the Major Leagues. More professional caliber talent would come and go, yet the league retained its highly competitive status.
From 1951 to 1960, St. Cyril’s ballclub collected five Twi-loop pennants. The Catholic club was directed by longtime manager, Ed Kostek. Their standout athletes included Al Phelon, a crafty pitcher, Bill George, a veteran catcher and Ed Samolyk, a speedy outfielder.
Industrial Company Teams Flourish
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s manufacturing corporations sponsored twilight franchises and hired personnel accordingly. Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, Hamilton Standard and Valco Machine controlled the standings. From 1953 to 1957, Pratt & Whitney won a total of six Regular Season and Playoff Championships. They were led by their manager and former big leaguer, John “Bunny” Roser.
Prominent players for Pratt & Whitney included Paul Chicon, a strong hitting outfielder, and Parker Swan, a commanding pitcher. Soon thereafter, Hamilton Standard outdid their Aircraft rivals by winning 8 league titles from 1955 to 1966, behind stars like Wally Widholm at catcher and Hal Lewis at shortstop.
The Moriarty Brothers Dynasty
In 1964, Moriarty Brothers of Manchester won the Season Title, thus beginning their domination of the Twilight League. Nicknamed the Comets, the team was sponsored by a car dealership owner and GHTBL Hall of Famer, Matt Moriarty.
The Comets were steered by pitchers Pete Sala, Leverette Spencer, and John Serafini. Their prime hitters were Bob Carlson, Jim Balesano, Leo Veleas, Rich Riordan, and their MVP player-manager Gene Johnson.
The roster was stacked with former professional ballplayers year after year, and their dynasty still holds an all-time Twilight League record of twelve Season Titles and thirteen Playoff Championships.
A Twilight League Legend
Gene Johnson would become a cornerstone of the GHTBL. His dedication to the league was unparalleled, compiling a record of 57 years as a player and manager. Johnson entered the league with St. Cyril’s in 1953 while attending Manchester High School at the age of 17.
He chased his dream to play professional baseball, signing with the New York Giants in 1955 and embarking on a seven year minor league career. In 1962, Johnson was playing in the Milwaukee Braves organization.
He got demoted to their Class B affiliate despite a .315 batting average. Rather than report, Johnson returned to Connecticut to raise a family with his wife Helen.
Gene Johnson, Player of the Half Century
Johnson’s professional days ended, but his twilight career resumed immediately. He rejoined Moriarty Brothers, assuming the role of player-manager in 1962. They were the class of the league for three decades before being rebranded Newman Lincoln-Mercury.
Overall, Gene Johnson won over GHTBL pennants, five batting titles and was named “Player of the Half Century” in 1982. His reliable bat, glovework at third base, and competitive attitude kept him playing well into his 50s. Johnson even made an appearance in a game at 75 years old when his team needed an extra outfielder.
He passed away on November 10, 2014, at 77 years old. In 2015, Johnson’s longtime franchise, then named Foss Insurance, seized one last Playoff Championship in his honor. Johnson’s son Jeff played first base and his grandson Jack was the batboy.
The Bristol Cassins
During the 1970s, the Bristol Cassins challenged Moriarty Brothers as the league’s top team. Bristol conquered the standings under the leadership of their sponsor, Don Cassin and their manager, Joseph Lowery. The club’s MVP, Luke Lamboley, guarded third base and their ace on the mound was Michael Beaudoin.
The Cassins’ lineup had intimidating hitters like Robert “Duke” Snyder, Dave Cichon, Jim Ziogas and Dave Raponey. As one of the league’s best hitting teams, the Cassins captured the 1978 Season Title and a total of three Playoff Championships.
The Newington Capitols
The 1980s brought about a new dynasty named the Newington Capitols. Also known as the “Caps”, they entered the Twilight League in 1982. The club gave up very few runs behind professional caliber pitchers, Jim Snediker and Mike Schweighoffer.
Dave Sacco served as the team’s dependable player-manager for eighteen seasons. The Caps had a lineup of sluggers including Scott Cormier, Mike Mangiafico, Gino Caro and Dave Rose. By the end of their GHTBL run in 2001, Newington had captured a grand total of thirteen league titles.
Frank McCoy & the Vernon Orioles
Back in 1966, Frank McCoy Sr. formed, sponsored, and managed the Vernon Orioles. McCoy, a Hartford attorney and a four-term Mayor of Vernon, managed the team until 1998. McCoy was known as “Mr. Vernon Oriole” and he served as GHTBL Vice President until his passing in 2010.
Thanks to McCoy, the Orioles are the longest-running franchise in twilight league history. Players like Alan Putz, Joe Calaci and Steve Krajewski were a few of the great Orioles of yesteryear. The O’s have become one of the most successful franchises and they are still playing today under the direction of Manager Jack Ceppetelli, who took the helm in 2001.
Tom Abbruzzese’s Bankers Franchise
Since 1976, Tom Abbruzzese has managed the same franchise that took on several names. Abbruzzese initially managed Society for Savings Bank in the Jaycee-Courant League before bringing them up to the GHTBL. The “Bankers” have had elite players like David Gale, Kevin Gieras, Steve Cannata and Rob Arkus.
Society for Savings eventually became Bank of Boston and then People’s Bank in 2000. They remain a perennial contender for league supremacy to this day. Abbruzzese’s teams, now called M&T Bank, have amassed seven Season Titles and ten Playoff Championships.
The Bristol Merchants
Then came the Bristol Merchants. In 2001, Bell City’s own Bunty Ray gathered together some of the best available players he could find from Bristol and surrounding towns. With Ray as player-manager, the Merchants immediately performed at a higher level than most twi-loop teams.
The team had elite pitching from the likes of Kevin Rival, Scott Martin, Jarrett Starwarz and reliable hitters like Adam Peters, Nick Macellero and Joe Parlante. Bristol achieved five Season Titles and four Playoff Championships in just eleven seasons.
A New Era in the Twilight League
As for other active franchises, league’s Meriden-based club, now the Record-Journal Expos, have earned four titles since 2006. From 2011 to 2013, the Ferguson Waterworks, led by Greg Annino, achieved three consecutive Playoff Championships.
Though it’s often been the Vernon Orioles who have proved to be the class of the league. Led by players such as Nick Roy, Dan Trubia, Tony Trubia and Tyler Pogmore, the Orioles have claimed seven consecutive pennant-winning seasons.
The East Hartford Jets
The East Hartford Jets have competed in the GHTBL since 1970. The Jets secured four consecutive Playoff Championships from 2020 to 2023.
Top performers for the Jets during their dynasty run have been Jimmy Schult, Jeff Criscuolo, Taylor Kosakowski, Manny Alejandro, Bryan Albee, Nate Viera, Kyle Desjardins and Corey Plasky. Criscuolo took over as player-manager in 2023.
Jack Repass’ 50th Anniversary Program
In 1979, Hartford native and GHTBL Secretary, John Scott “Jack” Repass (1924-2001) commemorated the league’s 50th year by publishing a 34-page booklet. Jack was one of three Repass brothers to play in the GHTBL. His older brother Bob “Spike” Repass went on to play second base for the St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Senators and Hartford Chiefs.
Jack Repass played for the St. Cyril’s twi-loop club before serving in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He returned home and became the Sports Information Director at the University of Hartford. Repass managed the Yellow Cab Twi-loop team, served as GHTBL Secretary and established the GHTBL Hall of Fame in 1983.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY GHTBL PROGRAM
GHTBL Presidents
(1966-1976)
(1966)
(1951-1965)
(1938 -1950)
(1936-1937)
(1930-1935)
