WEYMOUTH, Mass. (November 5, 2021) -- In recognition of his outstanding contribution and leadership to the Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL), Worcester Bravehearts and Nashua Silver Knights President & Owner John Creedon, Jr. has been named the first-ever recipient of the Commissioner's Special Contributor’s Award.
Commissioner Joe Paolucci presented the award during the FCBL Fall Organizational Meeting, which was held in October in conjunction with the second annual Golf Tournament at Leicester Country Club in Leicester, Mass.
“John's leadership skills and passion for the Futures League are unmatched, and what he did behind the scenes to help the league bring in two great franchises this offseason needed to be acknowledged,” Paolucci said. “The league is thriving right now and John's role as Chairman of the Board is a big reason why.”
The creation of the FCBL Commissioner's Special Contributor’s Award was inspired by the Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award, which was created in 1998 “to recognize accomplishments and contributions of historical significance.” Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani became the 16th recipient of the MLB honor this season.
While leading two of the league’s most successful and winningest franchises past the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and into a “new normal” season in 2021, Creedon spearheaded this past offseason’s efforts to attract the Vermont Lake Monsters and Norwich Sea Unicorns to the summer collegiate model in the FCBL following the contraction of Minor League Baseball.
The addition of the former affiliated clubs whose stadiums respectively hold more than 4,000 and 6,000 fans expanded the FCBL’s membership back to eight, a year after it was the only regular New England-based summer collegiate circuit to hold its season. Creedon’s guidance helped Vermont and Norwich prepare for their May 2021 opening in mere months. Both went on to present successful reintroduction seasons to their fans, with Vermont leading the league in attendance and winning the championship after posting the best record.
“Joe caught me by surprise with this recognition. I was humbled and moved by the gesture,” Creedon said. “Simply put, I love the Futures League. I am tremendously bullish on the summer collegiate baseball model and I profoundly believe that the best days for this brand of baseball lie ahead.”
Creedon has been an instrumental figure in the substantial growth of the FCBL, joining the league family when the Bravehearts were born in 2013. The Bravehearts have become a model organization across all of summer collegiate baseball, leading the league in attendance for five straight years (2015-19) while playing for championships in each of their first seven years of existence and winning four.
Creedon purchased the Nashua Silver Knights before the 2019 season and, in the year that followed, guided the team through the “improbable” pandemic season with fans in attendance at Historic Holman Stadium. He also heads the FCBL Board of Directors.
Nashua was named the 2020 FCBL Organization of the Year following a championship-winning campaign. Under Creedon, the Bravehearts have earned that honor four times in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2019.
“It is a privilege for my family and our staff to operate the Nashua and Worcester ballclubs,” Creedon said. “The Futures League is poised for great success in the coming years based on the strength and cohesiveness of our ownership groups, the quality of our stadiums and communities, and the elite player experience that we provide for local and national superstars. Keep your eye on the Futures League because the best is yet to come thanks to the steady and visionary leadership of our Commissioner, Joe Paolucci.”
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