Prior to the July 4 District 17 American Legion all-star baseball game at Waters Field in Vienna, former and longtime Springfield Post 176 manager Al Vaxmonsky was on hand and honored for leading the District 17 team for 32 years.
His teams won more than 600 games and 10 district-tournament championships, with multiple runner-up finishes. From 1995 to 1999, Springfield won five straight district-tourney titles. His squads twice finished second in state Legion tournaments, winning 20 or more games in 21 different seasons.
Vaxmonsky also threw out the first pitch at the July 4 all-star game and spent time reminiscing with longtime and current District 17 managers Nick Good of Vienna Post 180 and Ray Zdancewicz of Falls Church Post 130.
Good read a tribute about Vaxmonsky prior to the game.
Vaxmonsky’s last season as the Springfield manager was the 2022 campaign. He said he misses managing the team, but realized the time was right to end his long run.
Vaxmonsky still keeps up with district Legion baseball, as well as the local high-school game. He has a grandson who plays for the St. Paul VI Catholic private-school team.
