Chicago 16" Hall of Fame

Class of 2009

Continental Bank - Team Induction

In the 1950s, Continental Bank played in the Banker's league. This league included such banks as First Chicago, Continental, the Federal Reserve, LaSalle National, Harris
Trust, City National and others. Unfortunately, the league ended in 1959. The championship game that year featured First Chicago and Continental. Continental scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh to win the game.
This victory earned them their first spot in the Grant Park Tournament of Champions. They competed against thirty-two teams and took third place. After team members served time in the military, Continental returned to the tournament in 1964 and took first place. They returned to the tournament in 1967 and captured fourth place. From 1968 through 1974, Continental won the tournament seven consecutive years.
Playing in the Grant Park Industrial League, they compiled a record of 126 wins and 6 losses, including league and tournament games. In 1971, they qualified to play in the national tournament in St. Louis. They finished seventh overall with a record of 3 wins and 2 losses. They lost only to the Bobcats and Sobies. Team members Duane Szymkowski and Bob Campbell were selected to the tournament All Star team.

Team Members

Mike Chiarito spoke on behalf of the Continental Bank ball club saying, "I'd like to thank the Hall of fame for selecting our team. The seven or eight years that we went undefeated in the Tournament of Champions. The only remorse that we have is that we are missing a number of players who are no longer with us and we would like to thank them also because we know they are listening(as he gestured towards the ceiling) from up on top. I know that they wish they could be here and we wish that they could be here also. Thank you all very much. We have had a great time."

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