Brotherly love means
they coach together

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

Mike and John Loftus seem to do everything together.
The brothers have competed on the same baseball squads, both at Father Judge High School and La Salle University. For the past 20 years they have officiated baseball and football games throughout the Catholic League.
So it seems only fitting that they head off together in a new direction.
Meet the newest coaches of the Rhawnhurst American Legion baseball squad, a summer team composed of players from North Catholic, Father Judge and Roman Catholic high schools, among others.
"My brother and I, we put together a roster, and now we have a full eighteen-man roster of ballplayers," said John. "We have a good mix — some veterans, some middle-of-the-road players, and some younger players."
The American Legion League — composed of nine teams, including Rhawnhurst — gives local athletes an opportunity to play ball throughout the summer. The season typically spans early June to the end of July; players are 15 to 19 years of age, and all local athletes are welcome to play, as long as they won’t turn 20 this year.
Rhawnhurst’s season starts on June 3 at Northeast High School. The team has been practicing, even if the sessions have been irregular because of scheduling conflicts among the players.
But it’s no huge deal. It’s not like these guys haven’t been on a ballfield before.
"It’s hard, because every single one of our players is playing high school baseball," John said of those schedule complications. "A lot of them are playing in different leagues, and right now some of them are competing in playoffs. But if they all come together and we get a commitment, I think we should do well. I think we should improve on last year."
Although this is the first time the Loftus brothers have coached the same squad, they’ve had their share of experience on the sidelines.
John, 57, coached the Archbishop Wood baseball team from 1993 to 1996, while little brother Mike, 55, was St. Basil’s softball boss from 1999 to 2004.
"We grew up playing baseball together and we both have coaching experience, but never together," said Mike. "I think as close as we are, we’re different. John is very organized and I’m more laid-back. I think we should mesh well together."
The Loftus brothers — both born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia — have certainly made their mark on the local baseball scene over the past 50 years.
If we want to start at the very beginning, let’s take a trip back to 1958, when it all began. Mike and John first competed together during their Little League days. By the time high school baseball rolled around, they were naturals on the diamond. Both attended Father Judge High School and played for the Crusaders, earning All-Catholic honors in the process.
In 1967, during his junior season with the Crusaders, John helped his squad win the city championship at decrepit but hallowed Connie Mack Stadium.
"At the time, I was a freshman, so I didn’t play," recalled Mike, who did not play for Judge until his junior season because the school lacked a JV squad. "But I remember John hit one to the wall at Connie Mack Stadium."
After four seasons of fine memories with the Crusaders, John graduated from Father Judge in 1968 and was off to La Salle University, where he was recruited to continue his baseball career with the Explorers.
Meanwhile, Mike was quickly following in his older brother’s footsteps. After graduating from high school in 1970, Mike attended Community College of Philadelphia for two years — also playing alongside his brother with the Rhawnhurst American Legion team — and also headed to La Salle.
"It’s ironic because forty years ago we played at Judge together and won the city championship, then after the season was over, we all played American Legion," said John. "And now here we are again."
After college, the brothers continued their careers by joining the Penn-Del League. John played for Olney in 1971, with Mike joining him four years later at Temple University’s Rachuba team.
Even when their playing days ended, the duo stuck together — this time through officiating.
For the past two decades, the Loftus brothers have worked as umpires and referees throughout the Philadelphia Catholic League. John started his officiating career in 1975 and worked mainly as a back judge on the gridiron, while younger brother Mike started making calls as a line judge in 1978.
These days, they’re still in the business — John’s a clock operator and Mike officiates, now in the Public League.
After years of playing and coaching and officiating, you’d think these two might want some time apart, but they still seem to put up with each other OK.
"I think because when we were kids we fought every day," Mike said with a laugh. "We must have gotten it all out of our system then."
"I don’t think we’ve had an argument in the past ten years," added John. "He’s got more of a laid-back attitude. I’m more serious. We kind of have opposite personalities. That’s why I think we get along so well."
Now they’re looking forward to a baseball season as coaches.
"I think we’re going to mesh good together this summer because we get along real well," said John. "We like the same things, we both love baseball, we go down to the ballpark together.
"Actually, being on the field with these ballplayers and playing at an American Legion level is going to be a lot of fun," he added. "I’m looking forward to it." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com