Photo credit: Chatham Anglers
CHATHAM – The winningest manager in Cape League history saw his career on the Cape come to a close Monday night.
John Schiffner, the manager of the Chatham Anglers, is stepping down after 25 years with the team. The Anglers were eliminated by rival Orleans 3-1 in the decisive Game 3 of their playoff series.
Schiffner’s 25 years in Chatham makes him the longest-tenured manager in the history of the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League. He led the Anglers, formerly known as the A’s, to two league championships, six division titles, and managed nearly 1,000 players during his time with the organization.
More than 120 of those players went on to play Major League Baseball, including Indians lefty Andrew Miller, Cubs 3rd baseman Kris Bryant, and Rays 3rd baseman Evan Longoria.
“Those guys came through here and used this experience to get themselves to the next level and to the highest part of that next level,” Schiffner said. “It’s really neat to be a part of that process.”
“John’s leadership for these past two-and-a-half decades reinforced and expanded Chatham’s reputation as the best place to play summer baseball for any college athlete,” said Steve West, the President of the Chatham Athlete Association. “We are extremely proud of the standards he established in running the team and are appreciate of everything he has done for Chatham.”
“Saying he will be missed is an understatement,” West added.
Schiffner played his collegiate summer ball on Cape Cod, appearing as an infielder for the Harwich Mariners from 1974-1976. In 1977, he became an assistant coach for Harwich, before holding the same post with Chatham from 1978-1982. He returned to Chatham as an assistant in 1990 before becoming manager in 1993.
“When I said I wanted to be a coach, I said I wanted to be a coach in the Cape Cod League. I’ve been very fortunate to have that happen,” Schiffner said.
Schiffner lives in Harwich with his wife, Martha.
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