Tom Downey Honored

© Ron Lyon

Tom Downey was an All-Duchess County selection at Webutuck Central in 1967, after posting a .478 batting average. He played his entire semi-pro career with the Amenia Monarchs in the Tri-State Baseball League from 1967 to 1995, where he won multiple MVP awards including being the top hitter of the league in 1980 with a .528 mark.  In 1967, he hit three home runs and had nine RBI in a playoff game versus Lakeville.  He was player-manager from 1972 to 1995 and led the team to several championships.  Downey coached the Mid-County Senior League All-Stars (1996-1998) and the Connie Mack League (1993-1995 and 1999-2001) and won championships in 1995 and 2000 before returning to coach the Monarchs again in the Tri-State Baseball League in 2004 and serves as an advisor on the Tri-State Board of Directors.  Downey was part of the volunteer committee that designed, built and raised money for Amenia Park , where Bartlett Field is.  Lights were added in 1990.  In adddition, he was the chairman of the Park Commission, took care of all the scheduling and also took care of Bartlett Field with his uncle Bud McDonald.  Downey was never in it for the glory – just to give kids a place to play baseball.  Tommy Downey was inducted into the Dutchess County Hall of Fame in 2001.