On July 25, former professional baseball player Stephen Cardullo was honored at a special “Homecoming” game at the New York Boulders’ Boulder Stadium. During the game, a personalized banner aptly titled “Cardullo’s Corner” was unveiled. This banner not only honors Cardullo’s positions as left fielder and corner outfielder for the NY Boulders, but also his rise to Major League Baseball. After the three seasons that Cardullo played with the Boulders, he became their first player to advance to the MLB when he signed with the Colorado Rockies in 2016.
Cardullo attributes his rise to Major League Baseball in large part to his time in Rockland County. During his time with the Boulders, Cardullo lived with local Rockland County host family Dick and Mary Whitford. Cardullo described them as “incredible people, the nicest people you could ever meet… it was a second home.” Cardullo also expressed his appreciation for the Boulder fan base, saying, “I think the Boulders had one of the best fan bases… it’s incredible to have that much support.”
During this visit to Rockland, Cardullo was present with his own fan club. His two daughters and his wife sat in the stands at his game, cheering on Cardullo and the dedication of Cardullo’s Corner. He said this was “the first time my daughters have seen me at a live game.” In an emotional interview during the unveiling, Cardullo describes the dedication as a “huge blessing,” points to his wife and children in the stands and says, “It’s great to be back.”
Cardullo is currently the CEO of Dullo Zone Baseball in Florida, where he offers skill camps, coaching, and private lessons for young players. He founded Dullo Zone in 2022 and says that working with kids has not only helped him learn patience, but it has helped him “…become a better father, too.” Cardullo encourages all kids to play sports. As a child, Cardullo himself was heavily involved in a variety of sports, including ice hockey, soccer, football, and of course, baseball. Of course he has a soft spot for baseball, but his enthusiasm for the sport has a surprising origin. “It’s a game of failure,” he says, and continues, “You fail more than you succeed.” Cardullo believes that this “game of failure” helps children “build a lot of confidence to deal with ups and downs.”
Although this game was Cardullo’s first professional game since 2021, it sounds like it won’t be his last. Coming to Rockland and seeing the fans and Boulder Stadium left an undeniable impression, and Cardullo said, “I want to do it again next year!” Hopefully Rockland can cheer Cardullo on in the summer of 2025, but until then, get your tickets for the next game at nyboulders.com/home and take a look at Cardullo’s Corner for yourself.
