Northwoods Green Bay Rockers

Blankmeyer/Sheppard Family Join Part in Biggio Hall of Fame Induction

Published on July 28, 2015 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Green Bay Rockers News Release


Hall of Famer Craig Biggio
Hall of Famer Craig Biggio
(Green Bay Rockers)

Green Bay, WI- Sunday was a special day for Ty Blankmeyer (St. John's). With the team gathered before an evening game in La Crosse, everyone watched his father, Ed Blankmeyer, and grandfather, Mike Sheppard, receive a special tribute in Cooperstown from the newest Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee, Craig Biggio.

A blue collar, pine tar helmet wearing, doubles swatting, former catcher, Biggio emulates everything that you would expect from one who burgeoned under the leadership of these two coaches, some of the greatest in college baseball history.

"It furthers [Sheppard's] legacy at Seton Hall," said Ty. "And his marquee guy is Craig Biggio. My father recruited him at Seton Hall and my grandfather was there to coach him."

As a young coach that graduated from Seton Hall in 1976, Ed Blankmeyer recruited Craig Biggio in high school in Long Island, NY. A rare athlete, Biggio was going to succeed at whatever sport he played.

The huge hurdle for Blankmeyer was not only convincing Biggio to play at Seton Hall, but to make him choose to play the sport in the first place. Biggio was a talented high school running back with a crowd of Division 1 offers.

After choosing Seton Hall, Biggio had a great amount of success. In 1987, Seton Hall won the Big East Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

Ty's grandfather, Mike Sheppard, was the Head Coach at Seton Hall from 1973-2000, and 2002-2003. He won 998 games with two appearances in the College World Series. But his best team in terms of professional talent just might have been that 1987 group.

In addition to Biggio, the Pirates also had Mo Vaughn, their designated hitter, and eventual 1995 MLB American League MVP. And Sheppard also had John Valentin on the club, a former short stop and third baseman from 1992-2002 with the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets.

In his Hall of Fame Speech, Biggio acknowledged Sheppard in a tribute that showed how important this coach was to his future success.

"He was a tough man. He was a Marine. He was a disciplinarian. But he kept you in line. Most of all he loved his players and he had their back no matter what," said Biggio. "Coach Shepp's motto was, "Never Lose Your Hustle," which is something I took to my pro career."

Biggio also acknowledged the man who recruited him, Ty's dad, Ed Blankmeyer.

"He is a tremendous teacher of the game," said Biggio of Ed Blankmeyer. "A man who has dedicated his life to college athletics, and has done an incredible job at St. John's University."

Ty plays for the Red Storm under the headship of his father. And he also plays second base as an everyday presence for Skip Handelsman. And like Biggio, Ty and his father made it to an appearance in the NCAA Tournament, this year in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Ty Blankmeyer, a scrappy infielder with a knack for getting on base has been a cog in the Bullfrogs engine this season. HIs presence on the diamond is encapsulated best by Biggio's favorite motto, "Never Lose Your Hustle."

Single game tickets are on sale now. Visit www.greenbaybullfrogs.com to purchase tickets. The Bullfrogs' business hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Hall of Famer Craig Biggio
Hall of Famer Craig Biggio
   



Northwoods League Stories from July 28, 2015


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