Tri-State league has roots in the WWE

Are you a WWE fan? We all know who The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin are. These days the Undertaker and John Cena are the headline wrestlers. When my dad took me to see Pro Wrestling when I was a kid my favorites were polish-power Ivan Putski and Andre the Giant. Linda McMahon is running for state senate in 2010 and Vince McMahon, at age 65, can still be found on the covers of some bodybuilding magazines. But did you know that a former Tri-State League player is now a visible figure in the WWE?
Commentator Micheal Cole (who’s real name is Shawn Couthard) grew up in Amenia and was a member of the Amenia Monarchs back in the late 70’s. Not a talent on the field but a character who had a love for the game! He started his internship in sports casting during those years as he covered some live broadcasts of Monarch baseball and other Tri-State league games. Our very own Tom Downey Sr covered an on-air playoff game with Shawn, during that time frame, when the Millerton Red Sox hosted Winsted in a playoff game at Eddie Collins Field in Millerton. Want to listen to the Amenia Monarchs on the radio in 2010? The Monarchs have just announced a partnership with two radio stations to cover their games on the radio – WQQQ 103.3 FM (Lakeville) and WHDD 91.9 FM and 1020AM (Sharon).
Keep Sunday June 6th open for the Tri-State League old-timers day and Hall-Of-Fame ceremony at Doc Bartlett Field in Amenia Park just off of ‘Downey Drive’. This years inductees are Jay Lemere, John McKenna, RJ Poniatoski, Charley Thornton, Dave MacArthur, Doug MacArthur, Dave Post, and Chris Caron. The Amenia Historical Society and the Tri-State league have teamed up to sponsor food and beverage for the event. HOF ceremony at noon. Old Timers Day game at 12:30pm. Amenia Monarchs vs Litchfield Cowboys at 3pm play a Tri-State league regular season game.