Tony Andenucio Tournament
Welcome to one of the premier baseball tournaments in the country that takes place during Father's Day Weekend at Runyon Field. The Tony Andenucio Memorial, which has been a fixture at Runyon Field for 45 years, runs next year from June 18-21, 2026, for the 46th edition. The tournament has produced seven players who are playing in Major League Baseball.
Tony Andenucio Story | Field Dimensions/Rules | 2025 Final Nuch Results | Tournament Records
2026 Nuch Championship Story/BBQ Pictures
TheTony Andenucio Story
Tony "Nuch" Andenucio was one of Pueblo's best baseball players. Born east of town on the St. Charles Mesa, He grew up working on the family farm and playing
baseball.
Born on Aug. 1, 1919, Tony was an interesting physical study. He packed extraordinary power and quickness in a 5'7", 180 lbs. frame.
Wedding day at Our Lady
of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church
in “The Grove”The St. Louis Cardinals heard about Tony and came to see him play. The Cards had him ticketed to play second base and offered him a professional contract, but Uncle Sam came calling, and instead he joined the U.S. Army to serve his country in World War II.
Tony saw action with the 65th Armored Artillery Division in hotspots such as Tunisia, then in France, at Normandy and beyond. He was discharged in 1945 at age 26, too old to begin a professional baseball career.
He returned to Pueblo to settle down and married Carrie Corda on November 20, 1945. He started a family and opened Tony's Cigar Store and Pool Hall at 322 North Union.
Tony and Carrie were steeped in the Italian-American traditions, and Elm Street was the heart of Pueblo's Italian district.
However, the Andenucio plot lay partially on land where Interstate 25 needed to be built. It cut 20 feet off the family's backyard.
Tony looked out at his backyard one day and made a decision - his family had to move from their home at 1210 Elm Street.
Tony and Carrie had three children at the time: a daughter, Joanna (11 years old), and two sons, Joe (eight years old) and Anthony (five years old). To Tony, a big backyard was paramount. This is where he and Carrie could keep track of their kids! So they moved to 65 Amherst Avenue in Sunset Park, where the family lived in a nice house and a BIG backyard.
Tony chewed cigars, played with his kids in the backyard, ran the Cigar Store and Pool Hall, and played baseball himself until 1970.
"We were a sports family. Whether it was Father's Day or July 4th, we went to the ball field. I learned to pack a picnic lunch on those days," Carrie said.
The Andenucio family has carried on this tradition for the last 45 years, throwing a feed for all the teams and guests at Runyon Field. This is held on the Wednesday night before the beginning of the 'Nuch Tournament on Thursday morning.
Tony passed away on March 12, 1977, at the age of 57. Carrie passed away on January 9, 2019. At age 95. They were married for 34 years. They leave a legacy of
children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren!
A year after his death, Jim Gradishar and Doug Graff started the Tony Andenucio Memorial Baseball Tournament. It became an annual event at Runyon Field each June during Father's Day weekend.
Tony played baseball while he
was in the service as a member
of the U.S. Army
Victory Division team
Tony Andenucio & Carrie Corda
were married on Nov. 20, 1945
The Andenucio family poses at the
first Nuch Tournament was held at
Runyon Field in June, 1977.
Standing left to right are:
Joe, Carrie, Joanna, and Anthony
Menapace Receives Carrie Andenucio Memorial Award
Emily Memapace receives the Carrie Andenucio Award on Sat., June 20, 2026
Emily Menapace, Administrative Assistant for the Runyon Sports Complex, was selected and given the Carrie Andenucio Memorial Award on Saturday evening, June 20, 2026. Menapace is the seventh recipient of the award, which is presented yearly to the most inspirational contributor dedicated to the sport of baseball.
The Carrie Andeuncio Memorial Award is given out in memory of Carrie, who went to be with the Lord at 95. Her contribution to the Annual Tony Andenucio Memorial Baseball Tournament and Runyon Field was not necessarily on the baseball field. Carrie was in charge of creating a community around the baseball field through hospitality. For 39 years of the tournament, Carrie would ensure that everyone had something to eat, drink, and a place to sit and have a good conversation.
The hot dog night before the start of the 'Nuch tournament and the daily lunches were no easy task to keep going, but Carrie continued these traditions with elegance and ease. At night, she could be found sitting behind home plate surrounded by her family and friends. This Memorial Award is a tribute to all of the amazing women who continually support baseball and Runyon Field.
Past winners of the award were: Lisa Romero (2025); Dianne Carrillo (2024); Terri Kallish (2023); Jan Fullerton (2022); Judy Hildner (2021), and Deborah Sperry (2019).
