Devils History
The Devils were formed in 2003, a crazy idea conceived at a Christmas party where the beer was flowing freely. Started as a ragtag bunch, the team included a bunch of guys who played high school ball and small group who never played organized baseball. Over the years players have come and gone, but a nucleus of “Original Devils” remains: Marc Taranto, Rick Dyer, Gil Bussey, Jeff Mountain and Geno “Pops” Siembor.
After a winless 2003 season the Devils began a steady improvement. In 2004 they got their first-ever victory, beating the Giants on Father’s Day. They finished 5-12, beat the Giants again in the first round of the playoffs and were eliminated by the Rockies. In 2005 they went 5-13, beat the Phillies in round one of the playoffs and again got eliminated by the Rockies. Another step forward in 2006 saw the Devils approach .500 ball, finishing 7-9 and losing to the Red Stockings in the playoffs. In 2007 they added Dave Bryant to the pitching staff and went on to a 10-7-1 record. They beat the Giants in the first round of the playoffs but lost a heartbreaker to the Padres in the semi’s. The 2008 team played without the injured Bryant and battled hard all year to finish 8-9 but were eliminated by the Padres in the first round of the playoffs.
The 2009 version includes the “Original Devils” plus a supporting cast of characters. They are led by long-timers Jay Taranto, “Cuzzin” Eddie Crawford and Pete O’Dell who have been around since 2004. A newer group that joined in 2007 and helped the team turn the corner, including Dave Bryant, Ed Martin, Adam Freeman, Jay Hamilton, Todd Campanella and Zack Siembor (Geno’s son). Rounding out the ’09 roster are two relative newcomers, Greg Barnhart and Tony Arno, and lastly, John Torlish who returns to the Devils after a three year hiatus from the NABA.
Over the years the Devils have endured almost a dozen surgeries, countless pulled muscles and strained egos, and more losses than wins, but one thing has remained the same. It’s a group of guys who love the game and don’t take it, or life, too seriously. They appreciate the opportunity to get out on a baseball field and feel like kids again, bust each others balls, win some, lose some, and after the game head to their home-away-from-home, the Sports Page, and rehash it all over wings and beer !!
