Vince Cappelli

Vince Cappelli came to Albuquerque from the Bronx in 1942. He originally intended to stay home and play baseball at Fordham University, however, that school dropped most of its athletic program when World War II started. So, Cappelli and two of his former prep teammates somehow found their way to the University of New Mexico.

After serving in the Maritime Service, Cappelli returned to UNM after the war. He was a three-year starting catcher for the Lobos, graduated in 1950 and immediately began a service to the game he worshipped.

Vince Cappelli was once called “Mr. Baseball of New Mexico.” This appropriate title came about after Cappelli spent nearly four decades in the Duke City working at Stronghurst Elementary, Albuquerque Indian School, Valley High School, the University of Albuquerque, and, eventually, as UNM’s head baseball coach from 1977-89.

Taking over a sagging program, Cappelli resurrected the Lobos with eight winning seasons in a 13-year career. He posted a 384-350 overall record, including a school-record 42-win season and a Western Athletic Conference division title in 1985.

Cappelli also fashioned a career in professional baseball as a coach, scout, minor league manager and instructor with the Yankees, Mets, Indians, Royals and the Los Angeles Dodgers.