The baseball community mourns the loss of Edward “Coach T” Tatarian, a legendary figure who dedicated his life to developing young athletes and building championship programs.
Coach Tatarian’s passing on June 16, 2025, marks the end of an era for New York baseball, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that spans over five decades of coaching excellence.
Ed Tatarian built his reputation as one of New York’s most respected baseball coaches through unwavering dedication and exceptional leadership.
His coaching journey began in 1967 when he became the founding baseball coach at Benjamin N. Cardozo High School in Bayside, Queens.
During his tenure at Cardozo, Tatarian transformed the program into a powerhouse, guiding the Judges to 17 division titles and four Public School Athletic League championship game appearances.
After establishing himself as a formidable high school coach, Tatarian transitioned to collegiate baseball, serving as head coach of the Queens College Knights baseball program from 1992 to 1998.
His impact proved immediate and lasting, as he compiled an impressive 118 wins over seven seasons.
Coach T! Back in the 90’s Coach Ed Tartarian ran the Knights program and led the team to its highest ever national ranking D2 (10th) and best overall record 27-9 in 1998 and the NYCAC championships. #NYCBaseball #1seed #CoachingLegend pic.twitter.com/gBQtKNelAB
— Queens College Baseball (@QC_Baseball) February 7, 2020
Under his guidance, the Knights flourished, earning five New York Collegiate Athletic Conference postseason appearances, capturing two NYCAC Regular Season Championships, and securing one NYCAC Tournament title.
The pinnacle of Tatarian’s coaching career came in 1998 when he led the Knights to a historic season.
Coach T guided the team to their first-ever NYCAC Championship and earned the program’s inaugural berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
That landmark season saw the Knights finish with a remarkable 29-9 overall record and achieve a No. 10 national ranking—the highest in program history.
Tatarian’s coaching philosophy centered on motivation and belief.
Current Queens College Baseball Head Coach Chris Reardon, who played under Coach T in 1997 and 1998, remembered him as “a great motivator” who “instilled in us the belief that we could beat anybody anywhere at any time.”
This approach created some of the best teams in Queens College history and fostered a winning culture that extended far beyond the baseball diamond.
The Death Of Coach Tatarian At 89 Sparks Memories Of His Impact, His Wife, And His Sons
Coach Tatarian passed away at the age of 89, just months before what would have been his 90th birthday on October 30.
The baseball community will gather to honor Coach Tatarian’s memory through services scheduled for June 19-20, 2025.
Visitation will take place on Thursday, June 19th, from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Dalton Funeral Home, located at 125 Hillside Avenue, New Hyde Park, NY 11040.
A funeral service will follow on Friday, June 20th, at 9:30 AM at The Archangel Michael Church, located at 100 Fairway Drive, Port Washington, NY 11050.
His death deeply affected the entire baseball community, with former players, colleagues, and friends sharing heartfelt tributes to honor his memory.
Ron Naclerio, who played under Tatarian at Cardozo and later assisted him as a coach for six seasons, expressed the profound impact Coach T had on his life.
Naclerio described him as “the greatest baseball coach I have ever played for” and emphasized the respect he maintained for his mentor, noting that he never called him anything but “Mr. T” throughout their relationship.
The bond between coach and player transcended the typical sports relationship, with Naclerio describing Tatarian as “a mentor, a confidant, an adopted uncle.“
Former players consistently praised Tatarian’s influence beyond baseball fundamentals.
Scott Reo from the 1998 Queens College team reflected on how “Coach T meant so much to me and all of us who had the pleasure of playing for him” and credited him as “one of the biggest influences in my life.”
Frank Battaglia from the 1997 team described Tatarian as “a great coach, mentor, and father figure” who “brought out the best in all of us and made us the men we are today.“
Ed Tatarian shared his life with his beloved wife, Stella, and together they raised a family that became deeply connected to baseball.
The couple had two daughters and two sons, Drew and Dean.
While Drew lost interest in baseball during high school, Dean became the embodiment of his father’s baseball dreams.
Dean Tatarian developed into one of New York City’s premier high school players under his father’s guidance, eventually earning a scholarship offer from the University of Miami.
The relationship between father and son exemplified Coach Tatarian’s approach to balancing family and coaching responsibilities.
Understanding the potential complications of coaching his own son, Ed took extraordinary precautions to ensure fairness, including calling team votes before starting Dean at shortstop and placing him in the lead-off position.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Ed Tatarian was good enough as a player to have a tryout with the New York Mets.
- He implemented a household rule with his son Dean that they would not talk about baseball for one whole hour after getting home.
- Ed Tatarian announced that the 1998 season would be his last as Cardozo’s coach.
