Royals Mourn The Passing of Nick DiCarlo

by Neil Srivastava

When baseball fans in Guelph speak of some of the greats who played there over the years the name of Nicholas “Nick” DiCarlo is always among the tops on their lists.

Nick like so many before and after him, was a product of the Guelph Minor Baseball Association. He was a gifted athlete who was very versatile and able to play a number of positions including pitching and catching but primarily, he loved to play shortstop and he excelled at it. Not only was he a talented athlete, he was also arguably one of the smartest players ever to wear a Guelph uniform.

According to his plaque in the Guelph Sports Hall of Fame, Nick listed his crowning baseball achievement as winning the 1949 OBA championship over Oshawa in front of over 3,500 fans in attendance at Exhibition Park with Nick taking home the Co-MVP of the championship series.

Nick’s career in the Intercounty Baseball League spanned over 20 seasons and included three all-star team awards (2nd team SS in 1961, 1st Team SS in 1962, and 2nd Team 2B in 1967) and was capped off in 1970 as a member of the Guelph CJOYs who won the IBL title.

After his playing career ended fans would often catch Nick at his Donut Village shop on Wellington Road in the ’70s and early 1980s or out at Exhibition Park taking in many Royals games over the years

The Royals extend their condolences to Nick’s wife of 63 years Mary and to their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We will miss Nick’s presence at the stadium.