2024 MSBL/MABL National Hall of Fame Inductee: Joe O’Brien, League President, Arizona MSBL
By Steve LaMontia, Director of Communications
Joe O’Brien is the 48-year-old envy of every league president in the MSBL family. Most of us look forward to competing on the beautiful MLB facilities and pristine area parks while traveling to Arizona for the MSBL World Series every year. Joe lives there and plays on them all year long!
As we toil on high school fields with six-inch holes in front of the rubber on the pitcher’s mound, his players are playing on the fields where the Diamondbacks and Rockies do battle.
I am gently kidding Joe because the condition of the fields has nothing to do with all of the hard work necessary to maintain one of the largest, oldest, and most successful leagues in the country. Joe has been the man in charge since 2018.
Joe’s work ethic has not gone unnoticed by MSBL Founder and President Steve Sigler, as he has inducted Joe into the 2024 edition of the MSBL National Hall of Fame.
“This reward doesn’t just represent me,” explained Joe. “It is an award for all the players, families, facility staff, umpires, and my AZMSBL Board Members.
I want to thank Steve Sigler for the continued support and vision of the MSBL national to allow so many players from around the country and of every age to continue to play the best game on earth.”
Joe lives in Scottsdale with Kathleen, his wife of 18 years. They met in college back in Buffalo, New York, where I’m sure they left their parkas! Their two daughters, Brianna and Chiara, are 16 and 14 and both attend the Arizona School for the Arts in Phoenix.
Joe is not just the architect of the league. He is also a very active player, in both the league and in tournaments.
“I play first base and some outfield for the Royals in our 35+ Division and the Giants in the 45s.
I began playing in the league in 2007 and immediately pulled both hamstrings! It wasn’t a very positive beginning in getting back in the game.”
His baseball roots began in a very normal way, as did most of ours, except he was one step away from all of our Little League dreams.
“I have played baseball my whole life, Little League through high school. I did not play in college, as I ventured to physical therapy school.
An interesting event was that in 1988 we lost in our Little League finals and finished one short step away from representing New Jersey in the Little League World Series in Williamsport. That was a heartbreaker.”
By day, Joe is a Real Estate Investor and Realtor. He consults as a Speaker/Coach in assisting clients to use real estate as a Generational wealth Generator.
Getting back to the diamond, we asked Joe about his resume regarding tournament play
“I have played in the MSBL World Series since 2008. We won the Father/Son Division in 2014 as the Salt Lake Dodgers.
In the league, I have thankfully been a part of so many great teams.” (below)
2013 Playoff Champions, AZ Heat
2014 Div/Playoff Champions AZ Heat
2015 playoff champs AZ HEAT
2017 Div / Playoffs. Champions. 2019 Div / Playoff. Champions.
2020 Playoff Champions Mariners.
2021 Division/ Playoff champs 45 Giants
2022 Finalists 45+ Giants.
2023 Division/Playoff champs 35 Royals
2023 Playoffs 45 Giants
2024 Playoffs 35 Royals
2024 Div/ Playoff 45 Giants
We asked Joe who the people were who were his biggest supporters while becoming entrenched in the baseball world.
“My High School coaches, Coach Henry, and Coach Sheenan taught me to be more than just a player. They taught me that beauty lies not only in the power and precision it displays but also in the intricate orchestration of countless subtle movements and decisions that can affect the game.
My Grandfather was also very influential. While growing up in Kearney, New Jersey, and Beach Haven, New Jersey he lived next door, so every night we watched either the Yankees or Mets. That is my earliest memory of watching the ‘78 World Series and the 1986 Amazing Mets!
My brother Chris and my Dad played wiffle ball, stickball, or Home Run Derby with me every day in the backyard. Dad even made us a home plate and a batter’s box.
I need to salute my partner in crime, Kevin Wilkison (KDub) for all he does for me and the league, along with my board members Ed Klemm, Todd Trollope, Ernie Barten, Doug Harmon, Mike Dimino, Tony Burnett, and Alan Gibson.”