• HometownAngusville, MB
  • Inducted2004

The Angusville Cardinals were always a top competitor in the Northwest League, and they travelled extensively to play in tournaments throughout Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Some of the key figures in founding the team were school principal Martin Chalaturnyk and dedicated coach Johnny Parobec.

The Cardinals won one provincial intermediate championship in 1965, and lost in the provincial finals in 1963 and 1968. Later, the Cardinals moved to senior baseball and were highly competitive in the Manitoba Senior Baseball League for nine years.

The top news story from Angusville in 1963 was when the Cardinals won the Ab Richardson trophy, which was presented at their banquet. This was awarded to Angusville as runners-up for the Manitoba Provincial Baseball Championship. During the playoffs, after winning the Northwestern Baseball League, they defeated all opposition until they finally lost in the third and deciding game of the final championship series with Pilot Mound.

The Cardinals relied on the pitching of left-handers Jack Kostuik, Brian McCauley, and Currnie Churchmuch, as well as right-handers Stan Furman, Henry Hrubeniuk Joe Blackbird, and Richard Gallant. Catching duties were sharead by Sill Sidoryk and Barry Wowk until a promising Merril Kiliwnik appeared on the scene. The team was spearheaded by manager John Parobec, who’s love and dedication for the game prompted recruitment of players from neighboring communities. Parobec’s playing, coaching, and managing marked a period of four decades in the Angusville community.

In 1964, the Cardinals won the the juvenile championship, and in 1965, they won the Manitoba Intermediate Baseball Championship by defeating Pilot Mound 4-3 in 13 innings. Currnie Churchmuch provided much of the heroics by delivering a powerful home run in the bottom of the thirteenth inning. In addition to the championship, they also received the D. Stark and Son Trophy, as well as the F. Clement and Sons Trophy.

The Cardinals went on to have a terrific 1966 season, only to be beaten by the Binscarth Orioles in the league finals. In 1968, they won the Northwest League Championship and proceeded to the provincial finals only to lose to the Thompson Reds in the third and deciding game. Another notable year was 1972, when the Angusville Cardinals won the Senior “B” Provincial Championships.

Players

Back Row: Currnie Chuchmuch, Barry Wowk, Henry Hrubeniuk, Wayne Luba, Stan Furman, Joe Blackbird, Bryan McCauley

Front Row: Lawrence Parobec, Bill Sidoryk, Johnny Parobec, Richard Gallent, Merril Kiliwnik, Jack Kostuik

Additional Players from 1963-1968 (missing)
Martin Chalaturnyk, Nelson Dagg, Ross Graham, Bill Hodgson, Leighton Kachur, Tony Kalechyn, Tom Kearns, Marion Kotelniski, Don Luhowy, Larry Mann, Peter Onufreichuk, Clinton Pushka, Ken Siwak, Jim Wood, Jerry Verbiwski