Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Jackals Name New Manager

Published on November 6, 2002 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


LITTLE FALLS, NJ—The New Jersey Jackals replaced one Manager-of-the-Year award winner with another today as the club announced the hiring of Joe Calfapietra to be the third field manager in club history. He replaces George Tsamis, who simultaneously announced his resignation as Jackals' skipper to accept the managerial position with the St. Paul Saints of the Northern League.

"We are very excited about the hiring of Joe Calfapietra as our new manager," said Jackals general manager Larry Hall. "He is someone we have long admired and respected; and we believe that he will carry on the winning tradition that we have built here in New Jersey.

In regards to Tsamis' departure, Hall stated, "We let George out of his contract so that he could pursue what is best for him and his family. George was tremendously successful in New Jersey and we appreciate all the accomplishments that he helped us to achieve. As an organization, and as a family, we wish George nothing but the best of luck in the future.

The 31 year-old Calfapietra will be entering his fourth year as a manager in professional baseball this upcoming season. In 2000 he became the youngest manager in the history of the Northern League when he was named skipper of the Allentown Ambassadors at the age of 29. In two seasons with Allentown, Calfapietra compiled an 85-90 won-loss record. Prior to being named manager in Allentown, the Royersford, PA resident coached with Duluth-Superior in the Northern League and with Aberdeen in the Prairie League. He also was the Director of Baseball Operations for five seasons with the Ambassadors.

This past season Calfapietra was named Manager-of-the-Year in the Northern League Central when he guided the expansion Gary Rail Cats to a 35-55 record despite the fact that the team was forced to play all 90 of its games on the road as its stadium had yet to be built.

"While I felt very attached to the group of players I had in Gary after all that we were through this past year and very loyal to the Gary organization for the great opportunity that they gave me, I made the right choice for me and my family to come back east and manage the Jackals," said Calfapietra. "I've always had great respect for the New Jersey organization; and I look forward to being a part of a winning tradition here and to help keep it alive in the future.

Ironically, Calfapietra replaces a very close personal friend as manager of the Jackals in Tsamis. In two years as skipper of the Jackals, Tsamis guided New Jersey to a 107-72 regular season record, an 18-8 post-season record and back-to-back Northern League championships.

Tsamis was named the second manager in franchise history in November of 2000 when he succeeded Kash Beauchamp. He led the Jackals to a 45-45 record and a wild-card playoff spot in 2001. Tsamis' squad then went 9-3 in the 2001 post-season and won the Northern League crown.

Last season under Tsamis, the Jackals had a 62-27 regular season mark, smashing the franchise record for most victories in a season. New Jersey then went 9-5 in the playoffs to secure its second straight Northern League title as Tsamis was named Northern League East Manager-of-the-Year.

"This was the toughest decision I've ever had to make," said Tsamis. "I owe so much to Larry (Hall), Floyd Hall (the Jackals owner) and Greg Lockard (the Jackals team president) for giving me the opportunity to manage in New Jersey. It is an amazing group of people that I worked with there. I see it as I am leaving one great organization for another.

Calfapietra noted, "It's not going to be easy to replace George after all the successes he had here in New Jersey; but at the same time it's kind of neat to follow in a good friend's footsteps.

The Jackals will open up the 2003 season in late May and will compete this year in the recently re-formed Northeast League.

Check out the New Jersey Jackals Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Canadian American League Stories from November 6, 2002


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central