REMEMBER- Hounds Hall of Famer Tom Bresciani

December 19, 2004

REMEMBER: Hounds Hall of Famer Tom Bresciani

News Sports Correspondent/Milford Daily News

Tom Bresciani compiled some top-notch numbers when he played baseball at Hopedale High and Assumption College.

His college career was so good that it took only seven years after he graduated to be named to the Hall of Fame at Assumption.

But Bresciani was more than just a numbers guy. He typified team play, was willing to sacrifice, and always played to his potential. But, most of all, Bresciani took advice well and realized at a young age he was surrounded by quality people and outstanding role models.

"When I was a kid in the early 1970s, I saw the players who led Hopedale to the state baseball title -- guys like Joe Small, Larry Heron, and Vic Mantoni," Bresciani said. "They were great players. Then, in high school, I had Chic Sayles and Bob Pagnini as my principal and assistant principal. They were men with high standards. I played baseball for Don Klocek at Hopedale and later for Barry Glinski at Assumption. Both coaches stressed discipline and both were solid role models. And, Ben Phillips, my coach in Senior Babe Ruth baseball, was another fine mentor."

Factor in Bresciani's parents (Al and Mary) and he had all the right ingredients to succeed.

"My parents were very supportive and always offered encouragment," Bresciani said. "One couldn't help but turn out okay with the cast of people I was surrounded by."

Bresciani, who graduated from Hopedale in 1978, played soccer, basketball and baseball for the Blue Raiders. At Assumption, he played baseball and he played it with a lot of zest. The second-baseman had a three-year career batting average of .429 and stole 110 bases in his career. Both were records at the time. His .515 batting average his senior year still stands as a record.

At Hopedale, the 5-foot-10, 160-pounder hit .325 during his career and he usually delivered clutch hits.

"We won the Dual Valley League title my senior year but lost in the district final to Monty Tech," Bresciani said. "We had a 15-3 record but we bowed out on a bloop single, losing by one run."

A patient hitter who could utilize his power, Bresciani had some outstanding games in high school. His three hits that included a triple and two RBI led the Blue Raiders to a 7-4 victory over Sutton in the district semifinals

"I'll always remember my sophomore year," Bresciani said. "I was hitting ninth. In a game against Douglas, I hit a home run out of Town Park. It went about 330 feet. But, as I rounded first base, it started to rain hard. I was getting ribbed about the game being called and the home run getting wiped out. But, the sun came out and we got the game in."

Bresciani played midfield in soccer and off-guard in basketball. He was a solid role player in both sports.

"Soccer was fairly new at the school," he said. "I enjoyed going to the districts in both sports. In soccer, we lost a 1-0 game to Quabbin and they were a powerhouse team. We also lost in the districts in basketball to Shephard Hill at the buzzer."

Bresciani enjoyed being with quality teammates in all three sports. Ron Larson and Don Bishop were big contributors.

"Ron had great speed at shortstop and he was outstanding in basketball and soccer," Bresciani said. "Don was our key basketball player. He also pitched and played first base. Both were top-quality players."

Two years with the Hopedale Js led to a pair of state Babe Ruth crowns. Bresciani hit .405 and led the team in hitting.

A two-time Dual Valley all-star in baseball and a co-captain in soccer and baseball, Bresciani went to Westfield State but transferred to Assumption.

"Academics and baseball just seemed to be a better fit at Assumption," he said.

Indeed it was. Bresciani sat out a year, then his numbers and his career soared.

"I had some great numbers but my top thrill in college was going to the NCAA Regionals at Syracuse my junior year," Bresciani said. "We split four games, getting eliminated by Ithaca. My best game in college came in a victory against Bentley. I got six hits ( two doubles and four singles) and drove in four runs."

Bresciani finished his three-year career at Assumption by being named the baseball team's MVP. He was a Northeast-8 all-star three times and made the all-New England and all-Northeast teams twice. He was the team's co captain his junior and senior years.

Sometimes flashy but always steady in the field, Bresciani was inducted into Assumption's Hall of Fame in 1990, an honor he still cherishes.

"I was humbled and honored," he said. "I once saw a plaque with all the Hall of Famers names on it when I was playing but you never think about being in an elite group like that. When it happens, it's very humbling."

Bresciani graduated from Assumption in 1982. A history major, he started working for Data General as a computer analyst. He worked for Data General for 17 years before it was purchased by EMC. Bresciani, 42, now works for EMC in Milford as a business analyst for in-house projects.

Bresciani is married and he and his wife Cindy have three children (Kaela, 14; Danny, 11; and Kara, 7).

"I enjoy coaching youth baseball and basketball in Hopedale and I've continued for 16 years as a high school basketball official," Bresciani said. "It gives me a chance to give something back to the community. I was fortunate to have good coaches and I've always remembered the lessons coach Klocek and coach Glinski taught. They taught the importance of being good people as well as good players. I was fortunate to have been surrounded by wonderful role models."

Bresciani's baseball career was punctuated with positives. He could hit and he could field. Most of all, however, he always gave his best effort.

And, it's no wonder that Bresciani's favorite major leaguer was George Brett of the Kansas City Royals.

"Brett always looked like he was having fun playing baseball," Bresciani said.

Tom Bresciani had that same look.