Father’s Day tribute to New Orleans area baseball dads
When someone in New Orleans mentions names like Brockhoff, Cabeceiras, Gilbert, Graffagnini, Francingues, Pontiff, Retif, Scheuermann, Schwaner and Wineski, local baseball enthusiasts will readily associate them with prominent families who graced baseball diamonds in the city, some of whom go back to the 1920s.
Father’s Day is a good time to remember some of the noteworthy baseball dads who played at the high school level in the New Orleans area, followed by careers at the college or professional levels, and whose baseball legacy was carried on by their sons who also played prep, college or professional baseball.
A number of the fathers were blessed to have multiple sons continue the family baseball tradition, such as Henry “Doc” Cabeceiras (who had five sons play collegiately), Barry Butera, John Faciane, Connie Ryan, Wally Pontiff, and Ray Staub.
Several of the baseball-playing families span three generations. For example, the Wineski family featured nine ballplayers over three generations. Others include the Faust, Hughes, Schwaner, and Whitman families.
Below is a list of New Orleans area father-son combos. A number of the players have links to a Crescent City Sports article about their careers.
Father |
Son |
Terry Alario Sr. – Pitcher, West Jefferson HS; Northwestern State University (1966-1969); N-Club Hall of Fame |
Terry Alario Jr. – Catcher, John Curtis Christian HS; Northwestern State University (1992-1994); N-Club Hall of Fame |
Corey Avrard – Pitcher, Rummel HS; 3rd round draft pick of Cardinals (1994); Minors (1995-2003) |
C.J. Avrard – Pitcher, Jesuit HS; Delgado CC (2015-2016)Casey Avrard – Third baseman, Rummel HS |
Gregg Barrios – Outfielder, Jesuit HS; Tulane (1981-1984); Minors (1984-1986) |
Briggs Barrios –Outfielder, Jesuit HS; Tulane (2011-2013) |
Lou Blanda Sr. – Marrero HS; Tulane (1942-1943) |
Lou Blanda Jr. – Pitcher, West Jefferson HS; Tulane (1963-1965) |
Kenny Bonura – Infielder, De La Salle HS; UNO (1982-1985) |
Kal Bonura – Holy Cross HS; UNO (2010-2011)Chip Bonura – Infielder, Holy Cross HS; Delgado CC (2016-2017) |
Joe Brockhoff – Catcher, East Jefferson HS; Perkinson (MS) CC; Minors (1958-1959); Tulane head coach (1974-1993) |
Joey Brockhoff – East Jefferson HS, Tulane (1982-1986) |
Barry Butera Sr. – Outfielder, Jesuit HS; Tulane (1975-1977); 14th round draft pick of Red Sox (1977); Minors (1977-1980) |
Barry Butera Jr. – Infielder, Jesuit HS; Boston College (2007-2009); 21st round draft pick of Astros (2009); Minors (2009-2010)Blake Butera – Infielder, Mandeville HS, Boston College (2012-2015); 35th round draft pick of Rays (2015); Minors player (2015-2016); Minors manager (2018-present) |
Ralph “Putsy” Caballero – Infielder, Jesuit HS; Signed as 16-year-old with Phillies (1944); Majors (1944-1952) |
Robert Caballero – Outfielder, De La Salle HS; Loyola University; 20th round draft pick of Red Sox (1970); Minors (1970-1971) |
Henry “Doc” Cabeceiras Jr. – American Legion and Babe Ruth coach |
Jim Cabeceiras – Ridgewood HS; Southeastern Louisiana (1975-1978)Henry Cabeceiras III – Pitcher, John Curtis Christian HS; Southeastern Louisiana (1984)Joey Cabeceiras – Pitcher, Jesuit HS; UNO (1994-1997)Larry Cabeceiras – Catcher/Infielder, Ridgewood HS; Tulane (1976-1979)Steven Cabeceiras – De La Salle HS; Delgado CC (1973); UNO (1974-1975) |
Joey Cabeceiras (see above) |
Jake Cabeceiras – Infielder, Rummel HS; UNO (2021); Loyola University (2022) |
Larry Cabeceiras (see above) |
Miles Cabeceiras – De La Salle HS; UNO (2005-2006) |
Jim Cesario Sr. – Outfielder,UNO (1982-1983); 34th round draft pick of Rangers (1983); Minors (1983-1984) |
Jimmy Cesario Jr. – Infielder, Jesuit HS; Delgado CC (2005-2006); University of Houston (2007-2008); 46th round draft pick of Rockies (2008); Minors (2008-2012)Joey Cesario – Catcher, Jesuit HS; University of Houston (2009); Delgado CC (2010); UL Monroe (2011-2012 |
Neal Comarda – De La Salle HS; Tulane (1975-1978) |
Jerad Comarda – Infielder,Jesuit HS; UNO (2006-2010) |
Jack Cressend – Pitcher, Mandeville HS; Tulane (1994-1996); Majors (2000-2004); Scout, Los Angeles Dodgers |
Cole Cressend – Pitcher, Mandeville HS; UL Monroe (2021-present) |
Warren Cuntz – Outfielder, Jesuit HS; LSU (1981-1984) |
Alex Cuntz – Infielder/Outfielder, St. Paul’s HS; Belhaven College (2012); Delgado CC (2013-2014) |
Vince DeGrouttola – Pitcher, Rummel HS; Tulane (1974-1977); 37th round draft pick of Indians (1973), did not sign |
Kevin DeGrouttola – Pitcher,Grace King HS; Delgado CC (2007-2008); UNO (2009-2010) |
Ned Eades – Catcher; William Carey College; Minors (1967-1968); Northshore HS coach |
Ryan Eades – Pitcher, Northshore HS; LSU (2011-2013); 19th round draft pick of Rockies (2010), did not sign; 2nd round draft pick of Twins (2013); Majors (2019)Chris Eades – Catcher, Northshore HS; Delgado CC (2013, 2014); Southeastern Louisiana (2015-2016); 35th round draft pick of Pirates (2014), did not sign |
John Faciane Sr. – Pitcher/Third Baseman, Jesuit HS; Nicholls State (1981-1984) |
Josh Faciane – Infielder, Jesuit HS; UL Monroe (2012-2016)John Faciane Jr. – Catcher, Jesuit HS |
Rick Farizo – Pitcher, De La Salle HS; LSU (1968-1971; 20th round draft pick of Reds (1967), did not sign |
Brad Farizo – Pitcher, Shaw HS; 24th round draft pick of Marlins (1996); Minors (1997-2002) |
Jean Faust –High school coach, Chalmette HS, Holy Cross HS; NORD All-American League coach |
Doug Faust – Infielder,Chalmette HS, Delgado CC (1987), UNO (1988-1990); head coach Loyola University; High school coach |
Doug Faust (see above) |
Brady Faust – Infielder, Brother Martin HS; Southern Miss (2020-present) |
Billy Fitzgerald – Catcher, Jesuit HS; Tulane (1967-1969); 15th round draft pick of Giants (1968), did not sign; 5th round January-secondary phase draft pick, Braves (1969), did not sign; 1st round June-secondary phase draft pick, A’s (1969); Minors (1969-1973); High school coach |
Robert Fitzgerald – Outfielder/Pitcher, Newman HS; University of Tennessee (2001-2005) |
David Flettrich – Infielder, Jesuit HS; Tulane (1964-1966); 13th round draft pick of Indians (1965), did not sign; Minors (1967) |
Kyle Flettrich – Pitcher,Shaw HS; Delgado CC (2017-2018); Southeastern Louisiana (2019-2021) |
Brett Forshag – Infielder, Jesuit HS, LSU (1985) |
Trent Forshag – Catcher, Jesuit HS; LSU (2016) |
Hilton Fortier-Bensen – Redemptorist HS; Delgado CC (1975) |
Tony Fortier-Bensen – Infielder, Jesuit HS; Delgado CC (2012-2013); High Point University (2014-2015) |
Wayne Francingues – Infielder, Jesuit HS; Tulane (1968-1969); 3rd round draft pick of Orioles (1966), did not sign; 10th round draft pick of White Sox (1969); Minors (1969-1971) |
Ken Francingues – Pitcher, Rummel HS; Tulane (1977-1979); 16th round draft pick of Twins (1979); Minors (1979-1981) |
Andy Galy – Infielder, Jesuit HS; LSU (1985-1988) |
Alex Galy – Infielder, Jesuit HS; Nicholls State (2019-2021) |
Larry Gilbert Sr. – Outfielder,Majors (1914-1915); Minor league manager, New Orleans Pelicans (1923-1938) and Nashville Vols (1939-1948) |
Larry Gilbert Jr. — Infielder, Jesuit HS; Minors (1937-1938)Charlie Gilbert – Outfielder, Jesuit HS; Majors (1940-1947)Tookie Gilbert – First Baseman, Jesuit HS; Majors (1950, 1953) |
Keith Graffagnini – First Baseman/Outfielder, De La Salle HS; Loyola University; Minors (1965-1969) |
Todd Graffagnini – Pitcher, Jesuit HS; UL Monroe (1988); Assistant coach, Loyola University (1992-1993)Keith Graffagnini – Infielder, De La Salle; Tulane (1995-1998); 47th round draft pick of Dodgers (1994), did not sign; Minors (1998)Jon Graffagnini – De La Salle HS; Loyola UniversityKyle Graffagnini – Jesuit HS; Tulane (1992-1995) |
James “Pel” Hughes – Infielder, Jesuit HS; Loyola University (1933-1937); Minors (Pelicans, 1945) |
Vic Hughes – Catcher,Jesuit HS; Loyola University (1965-1968) |
Vic Hughes (see above) |
Brian Hughes – Outfielder, Jesuit HS; Tulane (1995-1998; Minors (1998-1999) |
Jacques Jobert – Infielder, Salmen HS; Nicholls State (1998-1999) |
Brayden Jobert – Outfielder/First Baseman, Northshore HS; Nicholls State (2020); Delgado (2021); LSU (2022-present) |
Ronnie Kornick Sr. – Chalmette HS; UNO (1970-1972); High school coach |
Ronnie Kornick Jr. – Infielder, Hannan HS; Delgado CC (1993-1994); Southeastern Louisiana (1997-1997) |
Lance Licciardi Sr. – Outfielder, Chalmette HS; Southeastern Louisiana (1989-1990); Tulane (1991-1993) |
Lance Licciardi Jr. – Catcher, Holy Cross HS; Loyola University (2013-2016) |
Drew Lukinovich – Pitcher, Jesuit HS; Tulane (1977-1980) |
Stephen Lukinovich – Pitcher, Jesuit HS; Delgado CC (2008); University of Louisiana Monroe (2011-2013) |
Vince Manalla – Chalmette HS; Tulane (1981, 1983) |
Jordan Manalla – Infielder, Rummel HS; Delgado CC (2011); UNO (2012) |
“Oyster” Joe Martina – Pitcher, Minors (Pelicans, 1916, 1921-1923, 1925-1928); Majors (1924-1924) |
Joe Martina Jr. – Infielder, St. Aloysius HS; Minors (1935) |
Tommy Mathews – First Baseman, Redemptorist; Delgado CC; Tulane (1982-1984); 15th round draft pick of Cardinals (1984); Minors (1984-1986); High school coach |
Grant Mathews – First Baseman, Country Day HS; Tulane (2017-2020); 38th round pick of Braves (2019), did not sign |
Paul Migliore – Infielder; East Jefferson HS; Tulane (1982); Delgado CC (1983); 13th round pick of Angels in January draft regular phase (1984), did not sign |
Taylor Migliore – Pitcher, Rummel HS; Delgado CC (2012-2013) |
Allan Montreuil Sr. – Infielder, De La Salle HS; Loyola University (1962-1963); Minors (1964-1975); Majors (1972) |
Allan Montreuil Jr. – Infielder, River Oaks HS; Gulf Coast Miss. CC (1984); Delgado CC (1985) |
John Morreale Jr. – Catcher/Pitcher/Infielder, De La Salle HS; Minors (1961) |
John Morreale III – Infielder, De La Salle HS; George Wallace CC (1990); Delgado CC (1991); UL Monroe (1992-1993); Minors (1994-1996) |
John Olagues – Pitcher, Jesuit HS; Tulane (1965-1966); 3rd round draft pick of Reds (1965), did not sign; 1st round draft pick of Indians in June draft secondary phase (1966); Minors (1966-1968) |
Brian Olagues – Outfielder, Jesuit HS; Delgado CC; Loyola University |
Johnny Owen – Pitcher, Fortier HS; Tulane (1945-1949); Minors (1950-1953); High school coach |
John Owen – East Jefferson HS; UNO (1974-1977)Jim Owen – East Jefferson HS; Nicholls State (1977-1980) |
Wally Pontiff Sr. – Pitcher – Redemptorist; Loyola University (1970-1972); Minors (1973-1974) |
Wally Pontiff Jr. – Infielder, Jesuit HS; LSU (2000-2002); 21st round draft pick of A’s (2002)Nick Pontiff – Outfielder, Jesuit HS; LSU (2006-2009) |
Tony Reginelli – Catcher, Tulane (1955-1957) |
Reggie Reginelli – Outfielder Newman HS; Tulane (1980-1983) |
Milt Retif – Infielder, Jesuit HS; Tulane (1952-1955); Head coach, Tulane (1967-1974) |
Mickey Retif – Outfielder, Jesuit HS; Tulane (1975-1978)Ken Retif – Infielder/Outfielder, Jesuit HS; Tulane (1977-1980) |
Mike Riley – Jesuit HS; Tulane (1978-1981 |
Bubby Riley –Outfielder, Jesuit HS; Delgado CC (2012-2013); 40th round draft pick of Cubs (2013), did not sign; North Carolina State (2014-2015) |
Mike Romano – Pitcher, Chalmette HS; Tulane (1991-1993); 3rd round draft pick of Blue Jays (1993); Minors (1993-2004); Majors (1999); Played in Japan, Korea, and Mexico |
Michael Romano – Pitcher, Mandeville HS; Spring Hill College (2017-2022) |
Connie Ryan – Infielder, Jesuit HS; LSU (1939); Majors (1942-1954); Major League coach |
Connie Ryan Jr. – Infielder, Jesuit HS; LoyolaAl Ryan – Infielder, De La Salle HS; Univ. South Alabama (1970-1972); 17th round draft pick of Red Sox (1972); Minors (1972-1977) |
Louis “Rags” Scheuermann – Infielder, Nicholls HS; Minors (1945); Head coach, Loyola University (1958-1971); Head coach, Delgado CC (1972-1990); Director, NORD AAABA program; Head coach, AAABA Boosters |
Joe Scheuermann – Redemptorist HS; Tulane (1983-1984); Head coach and AD, Delgado CC (1990-present); Head coach, NORD AAABA Boosters |
Larry Schneider Sr. – Infielder, Jesuit HS; Tulane (1965-1967); High school coach |
Larry Schneider Jr. – Catcher, Rummel HS; Tulane (1991-1994); 9th round draft pick of Indians (1992), did not sign |
Tom Schwaner – Infielder, St. Aloysius; Loyola University (1958-1959); Minors (1959-1962); High school coach; Head coach, UNO (1986-1999) |
Jeff Schwaner – Infielder, Brother Martin; Louisiana Tech (1984-1988); High school coach |
Jeff Schwaner (see above) |
Tyler Schwaner – Pitcher, Northlake Christian HS; UNO (2014); Jones County Miss CC (2015); UL Monroe (2016-2017) |
Scott Schwaner – Outfielder, Slidell HS, UNO (1982-1985) |
Nick Schwaner – Infielder/Outfielder, Slidell HS; UNO (2007-2010); 42nd round draft pick of Giants (2009), did not sign; 30th round draft pick of Rays (2010); Minors (2010-2014)Taylor Schwaner – Infielder, Holy Cross HS; Southeastern Louisiana (2015-2018) |
Brian Shearman – Pitcher, Jesuit HS; Tulane (1981-1984) |
Brandon Shearman – Pitcher, Jesuit HS; Delgado CC (2012-2013) |
Armand Sinibaldi – Pitcher, Holy Cross HS; UNO (1982-1983) |
Justin Sinibaldi – Pitcher,Rummel HS; Nicholls State (2013-2016) |
Irving St. Pe Sr. – Pitcher, Minors (1951-1956) |
Irving St. Pe Jr. – Pitcher, Riverdale HS; Minors (1989-1990) |
Ray Staub Sr. – Catcher, St. Aloysius HS, Minors (1937-1938); High school coach |
Daniel “Rusty” Staub – Outfielder/First Baseman, Jesuit High School, Majors (1963-1985)Raymond “Chuck” Staub Jr. – Outfielder, Jesuit HS; Minors (1962-1962) |
David Theriot Sr. – Pitcher, Chalmette HS; UNO (1982-1986) |
David Theriot Jr. – Pitcher, Mandeville HS; Delgado CC (2019-2021); Texas Weslyan (2022) |
Christopher Turpin – Catcher, Holy Cross HS; Tulane (1987-1988) |
Chris Turpin – Pitcher, Holy Cross HS; Delgado CC (2017-2018); UNO (2019-2021) |
David Ward – Infielder, Brother Martin HS; UNO (1984-1987); Minors (1987) |
Austin Ward – Outfielder, Northlake Christian HS; Louisiana Tech (2014) |
David Welch – Pitcher, Holy Cross HS; Delgado (1989-1990); Tulane (1991-1992); 28th round draft pick of Indians (1992); Minors (1992-1995) |
Chandler Welch – Pitcher, Holy Cross HS, Tulane (2022) |
Chris Westcott – Pitcher, Delgado CC (1991-1992); 13th round draft pick of Indians (1992, did not sign; UNO (1994); 21st round draft pick of Red Sox (1994); Minors (1994, 1999) |
Christian Westcott – Infielder/Pitcher, Lakeshore HS; Southeastern Louisiana (2021-present) |
Robert Whitman Sr. – Metairie HS; Tulane (1948-1950); Head Coach, Tulane (1959) |
Robert Whitman Jr. – Rummel HS, Tulane (1970-1973) |
Robert Whitman Jr. (see above) |
Robert Whitman III – Infielder, Rummel HS, Tulane (2004-2008) |
Lou Wineski Jr. – Holy Cross HS; Loyola University |
Lou Wineski III – Infielder, Holy Cross; Nicholls State (1978-1982); High school coachRay Wineski – Infielder Holy Cross HS, Tulane (1988-1989); High school coachBobby Wineski – Holy Cross HS |
Lou Wineski III (see above) |
Ben Wineski – Holy Cross HSPaul Wineski – Holy Cross HS; Delgado CC (2004-2005); Nicholls State (2006-2007); High school coach |
Bobby Wineski (see above) |
Robert Wineski – Infielder/Pitcher, Harvard University (2010-2013)Daniel Wineski – Pitcher, Miss. Gulf Coach CC (2011-2012); Southern Miss. (2013-2014) |
Ray Wineski (see above) |
Peyton Wineski – Infielder, Fontainebleau HS; Bishop State (AL) CC (2016-2017) |
William Young Sr. – Redemptorist HS; Delgado CC; UNO (1975-1978) |
William Young Jr. – Crescent City Christian HS; Delgado CC (2005-2006) |
Joe Zimmerman – Pitcher, Shaw HS; LSU (1985-1987) |
Ryan Zimmerman – Outfielder, Fontainebleau HS; Northwestern State University (2020-present) |
Paul Zimmerman – Jesuit HS; UNO (1971-1972) |
Joe Zimmerman – Pitcher, De La Salle HS; UNO (2009-2010); Louisiana Lafayette (2011-2012) |
The above list is by no means exhaustive of all the baseball father-son combinations from the New Orleans area. Readers can send updates to Richard Cuicchi at richard@thetenthinning.com. He maintains a database of high school ballplayers from the New Orleans area who also played at the college and professional levels. Click here to view a current list of over 2,000 players sorted alphabetically and click here to retrieve the player list sorted by high school.
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Richard Cuicchi
New Orleans baseball historian
Richard Cuicchi, Founder of the Metro New Orleans Area Baseball Player Database and a New Orleans area baseball historian, maintains TheTenthInning.com website. He also authored the book, Family Ties: A Comprehensive Collection of Facts and Trivia About Baseball’s Relatives. He has contributed to numerous SABR-sponsored Bio Project and Games Project books.
