RICH KASHDAN - (President) - has been involved in the Queens, NY baseball community as a player (Team Puerto Rico - "A" - "AA" level ball) and coach for over 50 years, since his playing days at Long Island City High School. He was given the honor of becoming the 2nd president in the history of the Team New York Cardinals (formerly Long Island Cardinals), the torch being passed by Cardinals’ founder Steve Goldfinger. Kashdan has been able to continuously make the Cardinals’ organization better, by providing the rare combination of skilled athlete and upstanding citizen the opportunity to compete at the highest athletic level nationwide.
“Kash” as he is lovingly and respectfully called by the hundreds of former Cardinals’ players that have passed through his guise began his coaching career in 1987 in the ICYP little league in Astoria, Queens. He was named ICYP Baseball Commissioner in 1989, serving in that capacity until 1992. His move to Bayside was a fortunate one as he began to dig his roots into the current Cardinal system. Kash began his Cardinal coaching career in 1992 and coached annually until his promotion to Vice President in 1997. Along with the Vice President position, he served as the Cardinals’ college coordinator until the 1999 season. Two years later, Kash was asked by Goldfinger to take over the Cardinal presidency, where he has served through the present time.
Currently, Kash is the assistant head coach at Queensborough Community College, where he had served as the assitant coach for the past 7 seasons. He is also a retired special education coordinator, in Long Island City, where his baseball career began. Furthermore, Kash has had the former role of scout with the Cincinatti Reds. The first player he recommended, Rafael Sanchez, was taken in the 15th Round of the 2006 Draft.
His career coaching record is a most respectable 402-203.
CRAIG EVERETT - (Vice President) - has dedicated the majority of his baseball life to the Team New York Cardinals (formerly Long Island Cardinals). As a player, Craig anchored many of his Cardinal teams at the hot corner the same way he now anchors the organization as a Vice President.Coach Everett debuted in 1994, since tallying over 450 coaching victories. His current record is an astonishing 452-90-9. 1995 brought him the Dizzy Dean NY state Championship. In 1996 he clinched the LIBA championship, finishing with a 65-13-2 record. In 1998, under his expert tutelage the Cardinals 14u squad took home the USABF National Championship and the Cooperstown (NY) Classic tourney championship as well. In 1999, Everett’s Cardinals finished in 2nd place at the USABA World Series and were the AABC Northeast Champions. 2000 was a special year for Coach Everett as his team won the prestigious Disney Salute to Baseball Championship in Orlando, Florida. They were an amazing 66-20-2 that season. Along with his many FABL open titles, Coach Everett has been selected to coach various All-Star games, including the 2001 FABL summer classic held at Shea Stadium. Finally, Coach Everett became the 2nd member ever inducted into the USABF Hall Of Fame.
Currently Everett is the Head Coach of Concordia College in the Bronx. In just three short seasons he has already turned the program around, and claimed the CUNY championship in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2008. In 2004 and 2005, the QCC Tigers under Everett claimed their second and third consecutive CUNY Championships, and earned their 1st trip to the NCJAA World Series in over a decade (2005).
CHARLIE FOSTER (Vice President, Senior, Junior) - brings his no nonsense approach to the Team New York Cardinals. Foster believes that a strong mind, lofty goals, and a well trained body can make for a successful student athlete. The most hands-on coach in the Cardinals system, Charlie is available to young athletes year round, offering everything from individualized training and nutrition programs, to constant encouragement.As a coach, Foster has been successful at the national level, winning the AABC 13u National in 1999. In 2000 and 2001, Foster's Cardinals squads took home FABL Open division titles. After a successful NABF regional run in 2000, Foster's troops ran through the NABF regional in Maryland in 2001. Going undefeated at the NABF World Series, the Cardinals were eliminated as part of a 3-way tie due to runs allowed. Foster's Redbirds finished 3rd in the nation in '01. He is also the assistant coach and roving instructor at Concordia College.
Loved by players and parents for his high-energy direct approach, Foster is one of the top "under-the-radar" coaches in the area. Many Cardinals benefit annually from the man whose instructional hitting techniques were called "easy and accurate" by Tony Gwynn himself. Charlie's training programs are second to none, and no Cardinals at the 18u level have sustained any wear injuries in his time with the program.
Foster's son, Charlie, Jr., is currently completing his Associate's degree at North Florida Community College, and has signed on as a scholarship player at Florida Atlantic University to complete his undergraduate studies.
BARRY SILVERSTEIN (Coach - Senior) - father of 2 future Cardinals, sons Devin and Ian, is a strong believer in Yogi Berra's famous quote, "It ain't over 'til it's over." Silverstein belives in playing every inning of every game as hard as you can, and this nose to the grind style has led to great on field successes for him.2005 was Silverstein's initial season with the Cardinals, and what a season it was. His 15/16 squad finished with a 42-18 record, with an outstanding post-season run. Silverstein moved up to the 18u level in 2006, posting a 28-10 record, followed by an even better '07 campaign, in which his Redbirds finished 37-13. The '07 18u squad placed seacond at the prestigious Liberty Tournament, and second at the NABF Northeast Regional's. The 2008 season found the Senior Cardinals with a record of 27-13. In 7 years as a Cardinal coach, Silverstein is a most respectable 174-86. During the spring, Coach Silverstein is the Varsity Baseball assistant coach at Mineola High School.
In 2007, Silverstein was named the Nassau County Varsity Assistant Coach of the Year.
Coach Silverstein attributes his success to the strong bonds he has built not only with his players, but their families as well. They all understand that everyone on a team has a job to do, and when this job gets done, the team will always come out ahead.
Tom Benedetto - Coach - A former Cardinal who had the privilege of playing for President Rich Kashdan and Vice Presidents Craig Everett and Charlie Foster. As a Cardinal in 2005 captained his team that went to the Elite 8 in the NABF World Series in North Carolina. Brings his hard nose and old school approach each and everyday to the ballpark and is a firm believer that hardwork begins at practice. Tom has a competitive nature that is second to none and wants to win every time he steps onto the field.
A graduate at Wantagh High School, where he was an All County player and Diamond Award finalist. Tom Captained the baseball team to a conference championship. He amassed 41 RBI's, belted 6 home runs, and accumulated a .509 batting average in his senior year. Tom also Captained his high school hockey team to a Nassau County Championship and led the County in Goals (27).
Tom played his college baseball at Queensborough Community College and SUNY Oswego. At Queensborough, Tom had a career average of .361 and amassed over 30 RBIS in each of his two season. After his second season, Tom was selected to the All CUNY team where he traveled to Italy and played against the top Professional teams.
At SUNY Oswego, Tom batted .353 and was the team leader in RBISs. Was named ECAC Upstate MVP after his game winning 3 run homerun in the 8th inning that led Oswego to its first ECAC Championship in a dozen years.
Tom's debuted as a coach at Queensborough Community College in 2011, where he instructed the hitters and the outfielders. Tom's fire and determination to win is something that he thrives on. He guarantees to bring the best out of each and every player and without question will be a huge asset to the Cardinal family