Ex-Fenwick coach McCarthy is elected into state coaching hall of fame

Former Bishop Fenwick baseball coach Kevin McCarthy – whose Crusaders won the Division 3 state title in 2004 – has been elected to the Massachusetts Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.McCarthy stepped down at the end of last season, his 32nd, finishing his coaching career with 409 victories. His 1985 team was a state runner-up. McCarthy also coached the Crusaders to five Catholic Central League titles.The induction ceremony will be Saturday, Feb. 2, at the MBCA’s 40th anniversary baseball clinic at the Doubletree/Westborough Hotel.In addition to his winning record as a coach, three of McCarthy’s former players (and former disciples) have gone on to be head coaches of their own program: Lynn’s Kevin Bloom (Shawsheen), T.J. Baril (Swampscott) and Russ Steeves, who will take over for McCarthy this spring.”Obviously, it’s quite an honor,” McCarthy said. “But I have a different take on this. When an athlete’s inducted into a hall of fame, it’s certainly a case where he’s head and shoulders above the average player.”However, he said, it’s different with coaches.”It’s not just the coach,” McCarthy said. “It’s everything around the coach that allows him to be successful.”For example, he credited both the athletic directors at Fenwick (Bo Tierney and, before him, Jim McHugh) for their help.”Without their support, it would be a difficult task to stay anywhere for 32 years,” he said. “I obviously love it. I can’t speak for coaching at other places, but I know how enjoyable the administrations and athletic directors (at Fenwick) have made it for me.”Then, he said, it’s the staffs he’s had.”Obviously, there are too many to mention,” he said. “But a lot of coaches I’ve had come through the Fenwick system have moved on to have their own programs. It’s special to see that.”He also credited his players and their parents.”You’re only as good as the players you have,” he said. “We’ve been fortunate to have players who work hard, practice hard, and make playing the game and coaching the game a lot of fun.”As for the parents, “in this day and age, you read stories and hear stories about interference from parents,” he said. “We haven’t had that problem at Fenwick.”McCarthy also thanked his wife, Debbie; his son, Brian (who played for him); and daughter, Katie.”So, when I look at this, it’s not just one person,” he said.