Frank Giannone ’70

Baseball

Frank Giannone, one of the finest catchers in McClancy history, lives around the corner from the field he starred on in the late 1960s through 1970. Frank’s senior year, one which culminated in a City Championship appearance, was one of the finest campaigns in Crusader history. His batting average that season is still a record for McClancy catchers and his strong arm allowed him to throw out over 75% of the runners that tried to run on him. Frank was honored for this outstanding season by named first team All-City.

After graduating from McClancy, Frank moved on to Long Island University where he played for four years. While playing for the Blackbirds, he gained All-Metropolitan honors while batting over .300 with a fielding percentage of .996. The end of his playing days was not the end of his days at the Brooklyn campus. In 1977, at the age of 25, Frank became the youngest coach in N.C.A.A. Division I history when he was named Head Baseball Coach of the Blackbirds, a position he retired from in the summer of 2005. Over his years as L.I.U. coach Frank’s teams have compiled over 400 victories and a winning percentage close to .600.