Former Sox Prospect Shaped Island Baseball

There is a wonderful baseball and softball field on the outskirts of Oak Bluffs. Along with the thousands of kids and adults who have played baseball there, I played, coached and umpired on that field. 

This sparkling gem is known as Veira Park. And we owe it all to Tony Veira.

The story begins in 1900 when Tony is born in Sao Miguel in the Azores. That same year the Veira family immigrated to the United States, arriving in Fairhaven. In 1905, the family moved again, settling in Oak Bluffs.

Tony grew up playing baseball. He was a great talent at an early age. By the time he was 18 years old, the 5’6” dynamite second baseman was playing semi-professional baseball in the Boston Red Sox organization. The Red Sox were serious about Tony.

In an article about him, the Vineyard Gazette once wrote: “Tony was urged to become a member of that famed team. But due to his father’s objection, he declined the offer, but his heart has been in baseball ever since. He played amateur baseball for 25 years with distinction.”

Living on Dukes County avenue, Tony simply walked to the baseball field, known in those days known as Petaluma Park. Looking back, had Tony played for the Red Sox in 1920, he would have been a teammate of Babe Ruth.

Tony became a United States citizen in 1925. He met Gertrude Frances Lovell and they were married in 1926. The couple had two daughters, Geraldine and Jacqueline. Although he worked full time, Tony and his friends kept playing baseball. For years Petaluma Park was his second home.

Tony had been working at the Cronig Brother’s Market when the Veira fortunes changed. On May 21, 1945, Tony and Gertrude purchased a small two-story building from Otto and Katie Wurstenberg. This became Tony’s Market and an Island institution began.

Tony was a man of boundless energy. While running the market, he also took over the Martha’s Vineyard Little League in 1951. In 1963, after 12 successful seasons as commissioner, Tony stepped down. However, his retirement lasted only one year before he was lured back by the league to return as commissioner. 

In 1964, Oak Bluffs voters approved funds for installing lights and dugouts. The freshly painted green dugouts were exact replicas of major league dugouts. While the work on the park was underway, Tony was seen, according to the Gazette: “Flying back and forth between the park and his grocery store, deeply interested in the operation both as park commissioner and commissioner of the Little League and Softball League.”

Another important year was 1967. With six teams and over 100 players, the Little League continued to grow and flourish. The town officially recognized Tony’s years dedication and contributions by renaming Petaluma Park to Veira Park.

Tony’s daughter Jacqueline, now living in Colorado, told me: “Besides running the market, he really loved sports. It was true that the Red Sox really wanted him, but his father needed him to work. My father spent a lot of time playing sports, and I remember him starting the Little League. Kids were in the store all the time. And, of course, my mother was always there and went along with him.”

Granddaughter Patti Leighton shared her wonderful recollections. 

“I do remember his nickname was Subby. I believe it derives from Sabula, which may be Portuguese for onion. But to all us grandkids, he was Papa Tony. I remember when Tony’s Market became the unofficial baseball first aid station. If someone got hurt playing, they walked over to the market and got patched up.”

From granddaughter Barbara Leonard: “Every time I stopped in at the market, my grandfather always had on his satin baseball jacket and baseball cap. He always talked about baseball and the Little League.”

Grandson Bill Correllus enjoyed plenty of time with Tony. 

“From ages 13 to 17, I spent every summer living with my grandparents and working in the store. My grandfather was devoted to the Red Sox. The game was always on the radio in the store. He had a great collection of autographed baseballs, including Babe Ruth and Carl Yastrzemski.”

“When I became the youngest person at age 28 to be elected selectman in Oak Bluffs, Uncle Tony let me throw out the first pitch to start the season,” recalled nephew Bert Combra. “After all these years I admit it, a little nepotism.”

Former Oak Bluffs softball commissioner Tony daRosa remembered going to Red Sox games with Tony. 

“Tony was friends with Red Sox announcer Curt Gowdy. We’d go to Fenway Park and meet him and occasionally some players. Tony’s Market always sponsored our Oak Bluffs Red Sox team.”

Hollis Engley saw Tony in action. 

“I played for the Tisbury Tigers in the ‘50s,” he said. “Tony was always at the Oak Bluffs field now named for him. Nice man who loved helping not just the Oak Bluffs kids, but all us small ballplayers.”

While in high school, Renee Nolan worked in the Oak Bluffs branch of the Martha’s Vineyard National Bank. 

“My window was the farthest from the door,” he said. “When Tony came in, he’d catch my eye and tossed his deposit bag across the room. A high fly I caught every time. He was a great guy!”

Island kids who didn’t know Tony the baseball player knew the man behind the counter at Tony’s Market.

“Growing up in Oak Bluffs, Tony’s Market was my bus stop,” Alfred Drouin said. “We talked sports while waiting for the bus to take me to school. He was a great guy.”

Self-proclaimed tomboy Sue Mead recalled: “I was no more than eight years old and I always carried my baseball glove with me. I walked into the market and Tony gave me a baseball. He was thrilled that I had my glove with me and liked baseball.”

Jack Law laughed, recalling, “Tony was my great uncle. When we stopped in at the market, he would ask, ‘Wanna hot dog?’ He gave them to us and we ate them raw. No drinks either. He told us the hot dogs were decent.”

Tony’s love of the game and his love of the Oak Bluffs community spanned more than 50 years. He was a semi-pro baseball player, Little League commissioner, coach and umpire, softball commissioner, Oak Bluffs park commissioner, Oak Bluffs milk inspector, volunteer firefighter, sergeant in the state militia during World War II, and park policeman.

When Tony turned 70 years old, he retired again, saying, “I feel I have to slow up somewhere. I will help all I can in the future and I want to express my appreciation to all those who helped me down through the years. I think I got more help from my wife than anyone.”

Tony died in 1972. In his obituary in the Vineyard Gazette it was noted: “He organized the Island Little Leaguers and always kept them under his wing for more than 18 years, and preaching the doctrine of sportsmanship to the small boys who worshiped this kindly and soft-spoken trainer.” 

In a Martha’s Vineyard Hall of Fame, Tony Veira would be a charter member. He was the Island’s original Mr. Baseball. And adding my two cents, Gert Veira would certainly be the Island’s Mrs. Baseball.

Ken Goldberg is a regular contributor to the Vineyard Gazette.

This article appears in April 24, 2026.