After 54 seasons, Siena College’s head coach, Tony Rossi, has announced his retirement. Siena announced on Monday that Rossi’s retirement will be effective later this month.
“Tony Rossi has defined Siena baseball for more than five decades,” Siena athletic director John D’Argenio said. “He grew what was a Division II team with just 10 players when he started, into a Division I program with scholarship athletes that has gone on to win five MAAC championships and played in NCAA Tournaments.”
After Rossi steps down, assistant coach Joe Sheridan will serve as the interim coach.
“Working for Coach Rossi as a team manager was a time I’ll forever be grateful for,” Alex Fuez told The Comeback on Monday. “The knowledge he has about the game of baseball after being around it for over 70 years is special. He is one of the best storytellers I’ve ever met, and I’ve had too many laughs with him over the last few years. He is a special person. No one will ever do what he accomplished.”
The winningest coach in both @SienaCollege and @MAACSports history in any sport, and the longest tenured head coach in NCAA Division I Baseball history, Tony Rossi has announced his retirement effective Mar. 20
Thanks for the memories, Skip
📰 https://t.co/VBu4MhYLKt#MarchOn pic.twitter.com/UeGIBGcWU5
— Siena Saints (@SienaSaints) March 7, 2023
Rossi’s 936-1,202-8 record (the numbers at the time of this writing) has him as Siena’s all-time wins leader and leader in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. According to AP Sports, he’s tied for second all-time in NCAA baseball history in seasons coached.
Rossi has been addicted to the game of baseball since he was just seven-years-old. He even admitted to the Daily Sentinel last year, he “has no hobbies.” Baseball is his hobby.
He also isn’t one to talk to the media with a lengthy quote or conversation. Even the way he announced his retirement was simple.
“Nothing happened,” the 79-year-old Rossi told AP Sports “Just decided to retire. … It’s time to go, I guess.”
[AP Sports/Photo: Siena Saints, Twitter]
