London Tecumsehs

History Brief

This Franchise #1 team, led by Gary Sibley, was originally settled in Wilderness, playing before spirited crowds who called the players Wraiths. The team stayed in the Wilderness until 1908, when the team was sold to Canadian distiller Ed Hebscher in London, Ontario. In 1921, Prohibition-era border crossing hassles forced Hebscher to relinquish control of the franchise. Sibley reclaimed control of the team, resettling in the comfy confines of Wilderness Park. They remained the Wilderness Wraiths until 1972, when they made a sudden move to Ashburn. The Hot Rocks, despite a very talented roster, did not draw well, and Sibley reluctantly released control of the franchise to Dick Gorney in 1975. Gorney quickly became legend, winning the league crown in the very next season, his first of seven post season appearances with the Combers. However, in 1990, after a contentious TCBA Rules battle, Gorney sold the franchise back to Sibley and retired from active managing. Gary initially located the team in Birdsnest before moving the franchise to Rapidan in 1997, where the team celebrated the move to their new home with a league championship. At the conclusion of the 2020 season, Gary announced his retirement, releasing control of his Rapidan Rapids. League-wide response was immediate, with well-wishes coming from all quarters. Gary’s quiet, calm nature and sweet Sibley smile will surely be missed. Appropriately, control of the team was once again bequeathed to Ed Hebscher, who returned to the TCBA after an 18-year hiatus. The team settled into new quarters in Hamilton, Ontario, reclaiming the EH’s banner from a defunct Franchise 15 Newmarket team, at one time operated by Hebscher.