(POMONA, NY) – Former Rockland Boulders player Stephen Cardullo was called up by the Colorado Rockies earlier today, joining the Major League club after playing the entirety of the season in Triple-A. He becomes the first Boulders player ever to reach the pinnacle of the sport by being put on the big league roster.
As a member of the Colorado Rockies roster, he will now play for Tuxedo, NY native, Walt Weiss. The Rookie of the Year in 1989, Weiss is in his third season managing the Rockies. He is also a member of the Rockland County Sports Hall of Fame.
In 2016, Cardullo was batting .308 with 17 home runs and 72 RBI in 115 games with the Albuquerque Isotopes, Colorado’s top farm team. It was his second stint in affiliated baseball, playing in the Arizona Diamondbacks system in 2010 and 2011. The Diamondbacks drafted Cardullo in the 24th round out of Florida State in 2010, but he never reached past Rookie ball.
“The only words I really have are ‘hard work pays off’,” said Jamie Keefe, Boulders Manager. ”This is a guy who has put in the daily grind and nobody has believed in his ability more than Stephen Cardullo. Now he’s going to get a chance to prove that to everyone else on the national stage. We as an organization are so happy, ecstatic, and proud that just 347 days ago he was wearing our uniform. We look forward to watching his Major League career take off.”
After a season in the Frontier League, the utility player joined the Boulders in 2013, playing the outfield and third base. He is Rockland’s all-time leader in hits (320), doubles (82), triples (10), at-bats (1,071) and games played (296). During the 2014 playoffs, he tied for the series high with seven RBI and three home runs, including a grand slam in Game Three as the Boulders won their first ever Can-Am League Championship.
“Stephen’s story is one of inspiration and perseverance,” said Boulders Executive Vice President and General Manager Shawn Reilly. “By reaching the Majors he has told every Independent ballplayer not to give up on their dreams.”
A walk-on turned All-American at Florida State University, Cardullo has seen time in right field, left field, third base, shortstop, and first base during his professional career. The Rockies were 60-67 and in third place in the National League West Division at the time of his call up.