By Kyle LoJacono
It couldn’t have been a more perfect time for Steinbrenner baseball coach John Crumbley to get his 600th high school win when his Warriors defeated Cambridge Christian 11-0 March 18.
That game was part of the spring break tournament at Leto, where Crumbley graduated from in 1978. The opposing coach was Sam Marsonek, one of Crumbley’s former players when he led the Jesuit program. It was also the two-year anniversary of his father’s death.
“I said my dad (Rodney Crumbley) had us play average early so we could win it on that day,” Crumbley said. “It was a lot of things with that game. To play it at Leto, doing it against my former player, it was just a lot of craziness. We think the moon was lined up for it.”
Crumbley was surprised after the milestone game when Leto retired his No. 7 jersey.
The veteran coach led Jesuit for 22 years before becoming the Tigers athletic director in 2006. He guided the private school to the 1994, 1997 and 2000 state championships, but figured his time as a coach had come to an end.
“I wasn’t going to coach baseball at Jesuit again and my wife knew it was killing me not coaching,” Crumbley said. “We read something about this school called Steinbrenner opening, and she said I should go for it. Fortunately our principal Ms. (Brenda) Grasso and our athletic director Mr. (Eddie) Henderson gave me a chance. ”
Crumbley won 575 games at Jesuit and currently sits at 603 after adding another 28 while at Steinbrenner (10-4). He is the first coach to reach the 600 mark in Hillsborough County. He was also the first to win 500 games.
“It’s amazing and a blessing that I’ve been able to coach for so long with such great kids,” Crumbley said. “When 500 happened, my son (J.J.) pitched that game at Jesuit and it was kind of similar to my 600th because we 10-runned the opponent.
“It was just surreal,” Crumbley continued. “When you think of the great coaches in this area, like Frank Permuy at Gaither, the opportunity to coach 24 years and be the first to 500 and then the first to 600. Hopefully we can keep it going for a long time.”
Crumbley was a shortstop and pitcher while playing at Leto and the University of Tampa.
“I couldn’t play any further than that, and I wanted to stay in the game,” Crumbley said. “I felt teaching and coaching would be the best way to stay a part of the game I love.”
Crumbley’s passion is evident to his players, which is one of the things they enjoy about him.
“Words really can’t describe what it’s been like to play for coach Crumbley,” said junior pitcher Chris Williams. “He’s a competitor and gets the best out of you. He’s a good guy who people love to play for because you know if you listen to him you have a good chance of winning.”
Williams started the first half of a doubleheader for the Warriors in the Leto event against Plant. He left with the lead, but Steinbrenner was unable to get the win. Four hours later, the squad locked up the victory for its coach.
Senior Jason Wilton started the Cambridge game, going four scoreless innings. Sophomore Nick Ringo come in out of the bullpen to secure the win.
“It was really awesome to be the winning pitcher in that game,” Wilton said. “It was the two-year anniversary of his father dying, so I almost got teary-eyed. It was really an honor.”
Steinbrenner next plays at home against Jefferson on Tuesday, March 29 at 7 p.m.
