Steve Bazarnic Honored with Top Award in Heartfelt Ceremony at Home

Steve Bazarnic, a legendary baseball coach with nearly five decades of experience, was presented with his Top Award on Friday afternoon at a modest ceremony held in his living room. Unable to attend the Dapper Dan banquet earlier this month, Bazarnic received the accolade from Mike Mathews, surrounded by key figures in his life, including dinner chairman Adam Sterne, JR Perdew, Paul Ackerman, and his wife, Cathy.

This intimate gathering took place in a space filled with memorabilia from Penn State, where Bazarnic played, as well as displays of his upcoming induction into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. The atmosphere was fitting for a coach who, over 48 years, guided young athletes at Allegany College, achieving 1,469 victories and participating in nine World Series.

During the ceremony, Bazarnic took a phone call from a longtime friend, Leo Mazzone, who praised him for being one of the greatest college baseball coaches in history. Mazzone, a successful pitching coach with the Atlanta Braves, reflected on their friendship, saying, "You can’t have a better friend than Steve Bazarnic." The camaraderie shared among Mazzone, Sam Perlozzo, and former Major League player John Kruk, who also joined the call, highlighted the deep bonds formed through baseball.

Perdew and Ackerman, both deeply influenced by Bazarnic’s coaching, described his exceptional dedication and loyalty to his players. "If there’s a better coach in America, I’d like to see him," Perdew asserted, recalling the hard work and commitment Bazarnic instilled in his teams. Under his leadership, Allegany College produced 54 MLB draft picks, showcasing the impact of his program.

Even as Bazarnic has received accolades throughout his career, he remains humble, often redirecting praise to others. However, the support and appreciation expressed by those around him during this ceremony served as a testament to his lasting legacy in the world of baseball and beyond.