Brian Gillespie has been active in Maine baseball for over 40 years. In the 1960’s he was a stellar young pitcher who gained his nickname because of his sharp breaking curve-ball. In 1963 he was a member of a Star-studded mound staff for the Triple C Babe Ruth League All-Stars. Along with Bruce Libby, Roger Farrar, and Marc Flaherty, he helped hurl the Triple C to the State Championship.
He was a four-year pitcher outfielder for Cape Elizabeth H.S.
and a tri-captain his senior year. In the summers he played American Legion Baseball.
A similar four-season career followed at USM, featured by a Surprising upset victory over an ECAC Championship team coached by John Winkin at Colby.
From 1970 to 1985, Ziggy was a fixture in the Portland Twi-Light League with such teams as Yudy’s Tire, Haverty Buick, Yarmouth Townies, Maine Merchants and Village Cafe. Several times he was linked with Phil Martin (HOF '89) in coaching these teams. Twice the two right handers walked off with league laurels — in 1971 with Yudy’s Tire and in 1977 with the Maine Merchants. The 1971 Yudy’s club had a 27-14 overall record and featured two former minor league pitching-hitting stalwarts: Rick Swan and Peter Dresser (87 and HoF-ers). “Ziggy” was always a pesky hitter going .324 in 1973 and .338 with the Maine Merchants 1n 1976.
Brian did yeoman service for eight years in the Deering Little League on all levels. He was a prime organizer in the development of the Senior League program (13 to 15 year olds) and also coached the Senior All-Stars. He has a ringing endorsement from Susan Hasson, Senior League Program Director.
In 1997, Gillespie founded an independent baseball team — the Maine Stags. The Stags are for high school players who want to compete in the fall. In the first two years the team amassed a 20 and 4 record.
“Ziggy” has been recognized already for being one of Maine's premier distance runners. In 1996 he was inducted into the Maine Running Hall of Fame. He is the personal running coach of 50 runners in his Men's and Women’s Run to Win Team program from March to September.
Brian is the Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of New England. He has a daughter, Paula, a son, Jason and two grandsons, Thomas Joseph and Daniel.
From Maine Track Club
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