Al Thomas Baseball Club Athletics
2014 record: 22-10
Carl Yastrzemski Division Champs
YBL Championship runners up
2014 Season Review:
ATBC came into 2014 hungry after a disappointing 2013 campaign that ended with being knocked out in the first round of the playoffs. The 2014 season brought new challenges as the Al Thomas squad transitioned into their new organization structure, promoting Joe O’Hara to President/GM and John Kostas to Manager. The boys banded together and responded by winning the division and making their first finals appearance since 2004. Though this deep trip into the playoffs was a good first step, the boys are getting that old familiar feeling as we kick off the 2015 campaign.
At the dish, 2014 was punctuated with a formidable offense that produced from top to bottom. Leading the charge was Carrera (.474, 50 hits), Katsiroubas (.389, 35 hits), and Lambert (.305, 32 hits). They continued their torrid regular seasons into the playoffs, coming up with many clutch hits and home runs, including the often-overlooked grand slam by Katzy in game 5 of the Division championship series against Revere. Elsewhere in the lineup, the addition of the “Three-headed-Matt” (Jacobs, Rodriguez, Levasseur) proved to be one of the catalysts that had eluded the club for so long, and it paid dividends in spades as the three of them bolstered the lineup (.303, .292, .280, respectively).
With the pill in 2014, Willie Archibald led the pitching staff with a 7-1 record, posting 57.1 innings pitched and a 1.59 era. Willie pitched in many roles throughout the summer and led by example to the younger guys on what it takes to be a go-to pitcher. He is a leader through his work ethic and every bit of that showed as he brought home the Cy Young award. Not many YBLers are running poles after their appearance like Willie, and it seems to rub off on the rest of the Athletics. Notable contributions from the bump were made by rookies Bobby Freeman, Trevor Derochea and Mike Musto, and veterans Dan Gaughan and Bill Clang. Archibald and Freeman also tossed no-hitters during the 2014 campaign.
As a special aside, the ATBC is thankful for the 2014 addition of Milton native, Matt Levasseur, and look forward to great things from this young player. The Iron Man shortstop played in every inning of Al Thomas’ 40+ game summer. While at it, chipping in solid defense and some much needed energy out of the nine spot.
Key Losses:
Chris McDonough (1B), Matt Jacobs (CF), Kevin White (C)
Key Additions:
Mike Hicks (2B), Ryan McGeown (c), Wes Kroniger (P), Duncan Finigan (P), Dane Dudman (P)
Season Outlook:
As we look forward to 2015, Al Thomas has its sights set on unseating the perennial championship incumbents and finishing what they started last year in the YBL Championship series. Obviously this will be a tough row to hoe, as the Yawkey League has more and more parity every year, but the Athletics remain resolute in their goal. Al Thomas is returning 6 field starters and the bulk of its pitching staff. As always the ATBC will put together another formidable lineup at the plate, one that will be ready to support the young arms that we have added to the staff. There is still plenty of work to do before game 1, but the boys are anxious to work hard and win. And as always, the team is eternally grateful for the support and friendship of the man at the top of the organization, Mr. Al Thomas!