The Yawkey Baseball League is proud to announce the winner of the 2024 Barbara Medieros Manager of the Year is John Griffith of the Brighton Black Sox.
Entering the 2024 season as defending champions, the team faced a range of new challenges. These included managing injuries to returning players, integrating newcomers, and dealing with the usual roster changes that occur throughout the season. Additionally, the introduction of inter-league play brought new dynamics, with the Yawkey League competing against teams from both the Intercity and Park Leagues. The Black Sox would navigate these challenges to post a 16-11-2 record to earn the top seed in the playoffs.
In the playoffs, the Black Sox overcame a 0-2 deficit to defeat the Base in the semifinals, winning the series 3-2. They then faced the Brighton Braves in the finals, who had reached the championship round by defeating Al Thomas in five games. The Black Sox secured the title in a dramatic seven-game series, clinching the championship by winning both Game 6 and Game 7 in a tightly contested battle.
Winning this award brings Griffith’s YBL journey full circle. Griffith entered the Yawkey League in 1994 as a player for Medieros for whom the award is named. After several years playing for Hyde Park and West Roxbury, Griffith became a member of the Black Sox in 2001. Griffith took over the Black Sox franchise in 2008. This is Griffith’s second time winning the award.
Congratulations John on a well deserved honor.
The nominees for the manager of the year award are chosen by the board of directors. Each franchise then votes on the award. The results of the voting can be found here.
Manager of the Year Award Results