Tony Saladino, teacher, coach & local baseball icon,
dies at 89

By Jarrett Guthrie, Editor

BRANDON – Life is a bunt – a sacrifice.

This simple sentence perfectly encapsulates the life of Hillsborough County’s baseball legend, Tony Saladino II, and was the title of an autobiography that he had recently completed, but sadly, won’t personally be able to share with his friends and family.

Mr. Saladino died on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 of complications due to heart failure at his home in Brandon surrounded by family. He was 89 years old.

“I think he gave so much of his heart to his family, to my mom, to our community and to the game of baseball,” Saladino’s son, Tony III said, “I just don’t think there’s any more heart to give.”

Along with his late wife Bertha, Mr. Saladino dedicated countless hours and years to the promotion of baseball at all levels in the Tampa Bay area.  This includes annually sponsoring the Tony Saladino Award – presented to the top high school senior baseball player – since 1971; and hosting the annual Tony & Bertha Saladino Baseball Tournament, which played its 43rd installment in March.

Mr. Saladino spent more than 50 years working in the Hillsborough County School District, and more recently spent years serving on a number of boards, committees and stayed active in the community until the end of his life. On top of his own award, he was also the in-person representative for the Hillsborough County Commission’s yearly high school baseball award, the Wade Boggs Award.

Mr. Saladino was born in a home in the northwest corner of Ybor City in 1936, amid the bustling multicultural community that was the heart of the city’s blue-collar workers and families. He grew up loving baseball – a passion passed down from his father, who played in the Inter-Social League centered out of Cuscaden Park.

His relationship with his father was a huge influence on his life, often citing him as his “best friend,” and whose passing in 1961 proved the inspiration for both the Saladino Award and later the tournament.

Mr. Saladino met his soulmate, Bertha, while teaching her children at Seminole Heights Elementary, fell in love instantly and the two were married in 1963. He often credited Mrs. Saladino as being the only person able to pull him out of his grief over his father’s death. She was the driving force behind her husband, encouraging him to start the award, and later the tournament in honor of his father.

The Saladino’s were married for 52 years at the time of her passing in 2016 and he visited her grave every Sunday after church, and mentioned her in nearly every conversation he had since. The two loved their five children (three from Mrs. Saladino’s previous marriage, and two born to the couple), their grandchildren, and great-grandchildren – the most recent of which was born last year.

He attended and played baseball and basketball at Jefferson High, along with lifelong friend former Florida Governor Bob Martinez. Mr. Saladino graduated from the University of Tampa, and got his master’s degree in education from Peabody College (which merged with Vanderbilt in 1979).

He was lovingly called “Coach” most of his adult life, but as a scrappy middle infielder and youth basketball player, he was known as “Snake” to a select few he knew from his youth.

A life of dedication to others went far beyond the high school baseball tournament, which first began in 1981, as Mr. Saladino was an active board member for a number of historical projects – including the erecting and dedication of a statue honoring Tampa’s first MLB Hall of Famer Al Lopez – who was a longtime friend of the Saladino’s.

The tournament has been a mainstay of the local high school baseball community, but had far-reaching recognition, with dozens of former participants reaching the MLB and was highlighted in numerous publications, including Sports Illustrated. Countless other former players have followed in Mr. Saladino’s footsteps, serving the community.

Two years ago, the Hillsborough County Commission  honored the Saladino Family by naming April 19, 2023 “Bertha and Tony Saladino Day,” but that was just one of many lifetime achievements and recognitions. Tony and Bertha Saladino Park was dedicated in 1992 just a short drive from the Saladino home in Brandon.

A home that is as much museum as dwelling, with hundreds of memorabilia pieces adorning the walls and shelves of almost the entire house – except for the dining room, which was dedicated to Mrs. Saladino, the “First Lady of Tampa Baseball,” who on top of serving as host and head chef of Bertha’s Kitchen at the annual tournament, was a passionate artist and loved cooking for her family – which included just about everyone she ever met.

His home’s front yard has a miniature baseball ball field up front. Heck, even his cellphone rang to “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”

And though baseball made him a local icon, Mr. Saladino’s dedication to his family was what he took the utmost pride in. Up until his death he was still a regular fixture at University of Tampa baseball games watching his grandson, Nico Saladino play for the back-to-back Division II National Champion Spartans. An active social calendar of lunches and dinners with friends was a regular routine for him.

He was a friend. A father. A coach. A servant. And, although he bristled at being called so, a legend.

Sacrifice for others – there is no greater gift.

Call out “Play Ball” one more time, Coach Saladino. Hug one last bunt down the line for all of us, Snake.

Rest in peace, Tampa Baseball’s greatest friend.