BRIAN SLOCUM was born and raised in Eastchester, NY.  He started playing organized baseball 

at the age of 8 for Tuckahoe Youth Association [TYA]. From ages 12-16, he moved onto Eastchester 

"Babe Ruth" Summer baseball, while also playing on his high school team at Iona Preparatory in New 

Rochelle.  While at Iona, Slocum enjoyed being part of several championship teams.  In his senior year, 

his team went an astonishing 28-0 in the regular season, culminating in a League Championship, but 

also teaching him the values of being a good player and dependable teammate.  It was during this 

season that he realized what hard work, dedication, and unity can do for a team.  On a personal level, 

Slocum earned such accolades as the 1999 Most Valuable Player of the Archdiocese of New York, 

Westchester County Player of the Year, All-League, All-County, All-District, All-City, and All-American 

honors, and was named among the top 12 high school pitchers in the entire country. Drafted in the 14th 

round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft by the Minnesota Twins, he elected to attend Villanova 

University, and majored in sociology. Playing three years of baseball at Villanova, Slocum garnished 

such prestigious awards as 2000 Freshman All American by Baseball America, Louisville Slugger 

Freshmen All-American, and made the Big East All-Rookie Team. During his junior season, Baseball 

America rated him as the #1 prospect in the state of Pennsylvania, and 40th overall in the nation.  

Again, Major League Baseball came knocking on his door in 2002, when he was drafted and signed by 

the Cleveland Indians in the 2nd round (63rd overall). In 2004, while playing for Cleveland's Class A 

Carolina League Champion Kinston Indians, he led the league in wins with 16, and was named the Pitcher 

of the Year. Slocum was again a major part of a championship season in 2005 with Class AA Akron Aeros. 

In 2006, he got his first taste of the Major Leagues when he was called up in April on the road against the 

Kansas City Royals as a relief pitcher.  In September of the same year, he rejoined the Indians, and in 

his only two Major League starts accumulated a 1.80 E.R.A. with the team winning both games.  This 

success would be marred only by the beginning of chronic elbow injuries.  After missing the 2007 season, 

Slocum again reached the Major Leagues with Cleveland in '08, only to undergo surgery on his ailing 

elbow at the end of the year.  He then signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2009 as a free agent, where 

he was assigned to Class AAA with the Indianapolis Indians.  Currently, Brian is working towards his 

certification in personal training through the nationally accredited American Council of Exercise (A.C.E.). 

Although his career was sidelined by his injuries, Slocum's love and knowledge of the game of baseball 

will never cease.  It is this passion and commitment that he instills in young athletes who share the same 

desire to never stop getting better.

DARREN CIRACO, born and raised in Pelham, also fell in love with baseball at a young age.  He

started playing in the Pelham Little League system at 8 years old.  It was then, that a friendly rivalry 

began between Brian Slocum and himself.  As Darren got older, his love for the game got stronger when 

he played for the Pelham Mets and B's Baseball Academy at the age of 13.  He went on to attend Pelham 

Memorial High School, playing four years of varsity baseball, where he was named All-League and All-

Section the entire time.  In 1999 Ciraco was named Pelham's "Athlete of the Year," in both baseball and 

basketball.  He was also selected to the Journal News All-Star team with his now close friend, Brian.  He 

led the Metropolitan Area in batting average (.639), was the New York Section-1 Class C Player of the 

Year, as well as making All-American honors.  He still holds the records in Pelham for average, home 

runs, and R.B.I.'s.  Also chosen by the Minnesota Twins in 1999, seven rounds earlier (7th round) than 

Slocum, Ciraco chose to attend college.  He majored in education at Briarcliffe Community College, 

where he participated in the 2000 Division 1 Junior College World Series.  That year, Darren's destiny to 

play professional baseball came true when he was drafted and signed by the Chicago White Sox in the 

31st round.  His rookie year, he batted .324 with the Arizona League White Sox.  In 2001 he led the 

entire Chicago organization in triples.  The following year, he again hit to the tune of .324, with 10 home 

runs, and an Appalachian League record 24-game hitting streak.  During this season, Ciraco was selected 

to the mid-year All Star team and his team won the overall championship.  In 2004, Darren signed with 

the San Diego Padres, but later moved on to play for the New Haven County Cutters and the New Jersey 

Jackals in the Independent Leagues hitting for a combined .333 average with 12 home runs.  He won a 

ring with New Jersey that year.  Ciraco played for the Newark Bears the following year in the Atlantic 

League, hitting .328.  Darren too, is currently studying under the American Council of Exercise (A.C.E.) to 

become a certified personal trainer.  In his heart, there still burns a fire for baseball.  Darren brings his  

skills and knowledge for baseball, physical fitness, and education to our program and has an enthusiasm 

for working with young athletes.