by | July 5, 2016 · 4:25 pm

YBL Players of the Week (Jun27-Jul03)

PITCHER OF THE WEEK: Jon Morse – Somerville Alibrandis – #27

morse

With America’s Birthday shortening the schedule of games last week, there was no shortage of pitching performances deserving of POW notoriety. After some deliberation, the award goes to Jon Morse of the Somerville Alibrandis. Jon has been almost unbeatable in 2016, and last week he threw a complete game shutout of the Maddogs. Only giving up 3 hits and 2 walks, Jon recorded another 6 strikeouts…..one of which put him over the hump of 500 career Ks!

Fantasy Impact: In a move so bold, so brazen, so downright villainous that it has nearly torn apart the Red Army, Morse was the first pitcher selected by ‘Chicks Dig the WongBall’ (mgr: Mike Maguire). And while it ruffled some feathers, the WongBall would do it all over again as Morse has gone 5-1 with a sub-1.00 era and a 37:10 k:bb ratio.

Honorable Mention: While Morse took home the ‘hardware’, we would be negligent to not commend the efforts of Sam Kennedy-Smith of the Brighton Braves for his efforts before the holiday. Sam came in on Tuesday for 2.2 innings of relief, giving up no hits or runs and striking out 5 batters to pick up the save against Charlestown. Only a couple days later he was called on again, this time for an emergency start on Thursday against Stoneham. In that game he went 5.2 innings, yielding 3 hits and 3 runs for the win.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Matt Rodriguez – Al Thomas Athletics – #23

New_ATBC_Logo

And although it was a shortened week, you wouldn’t know it based on the production of Matt Rodriguez from the still-undefeated A’s. In only 2 games, Matt went 6-for-9 with a triple, homerun, one run and 9…..NINE rbis. Another big output from a guy who has been putting up lots of crooked numbers on his own lately.

Fantasy Impact: NONE. In a shocking development, Rodriguez wasn’t drafted in the YBL fantasy league this year, but that will change in the future. He is currently riding a 7-game hitting streak, and has hit safely in all but one of his 16 appearances on the year. He has 3 hits in each of his last 4 games, and currently leads the YBL with 30 rbi. He also leads the league in hits, doubles (tie), slugging and OPS…..and is 2nd in the league with a .483 avg.

GAME OF THE WEEK: McKay Club Beacons @ Charlestown Townies

While we are unable to honor as many players as we’d like, a shout-out has to be given to the performances of the Townies and Beacons this past Thursday. The linescore might look like two teams struggling to put anything together at the plate, and that would be true. But only because of monster pitching performances from DeLochrey (MCB) and Zavolas/Souza (CT). Since I’m too lazy to comb through the archives, I’m going to go out on a limb and mark this game as the highest combined strikeout total between 2 teams in a single game in YBL history. DeLochrey threw a complete game (8 innings) striking out an astounding 18 Townie batters in a tough loss. On the other side, the rookie squad threw Zavolas (7 ip for the win) and Souza (1 ip for the save) who combined to set down 18 hitters from the Beacons lineup with no walks allowed. Suffice it to say, we’ll be checking the box scores this week for follow-up performances.

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by | July 1, 2016 · 9:54 am

Happy Birthday America!!!

Yawkey July 4th Collage

It looks like all Yawkey League teams are hitting mid-season form as we head towards the halfway point of the 2016 Yawkey League Season.  This week has seen epic pitcher’s duels, webgems and bombs!!!  Here’s a little something that we all know and love taking you into the YBL Fourth of July weekend break…

“Ray. People will come, Ray. They’ll come to Iowa for reasons they can’t even fathom. They’ll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they’re doing it. They’ll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. “Of course, we won’t mind if you look around”, you’ll say, “It’s only $20 per person”. They’ll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they’ll walk out to the bleachers; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They’ll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they’ll watch the game and it’ll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they’ll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good and that could be again. Oh…people will come Ray. People will most definitely come.”

A reminder that the 2016 EMass Classic will take place at Morelli Field (Melrose HS) this Saturday, July 9th.  The Yawkey Stars will take on the Cranberry Stars in the semi-final at 4pm.  

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by | June 28, 2016 · 11:23 am

YBL Players of the Week (Jun20-Jun26)

PITCHER OF THE WEEK: Jonathan Matos – South End Astros – #13

matos

The Pitcher of the Week award goes to Matos from the South End, who spun a complete game 2-hit shutout against the McKay Club on Thursday. Jonathan struck out 5 Beacons while walking only one en route to his  first win of 2016.

Fantasy Impact: This first win for Matos helps to bolster the already strong rotation for Team ‘Chicks Dig the Wongball’ (mgr: Mike Maguire). The win brought his era down to 3.59, and more production from Matos should help this team contend for top pitching staff in the fantasy league.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Billy Uberti – Brighton Braves – #6

uberti 2

This edition’s ‘Player’ is Billy Uberti of the Braves. In just 2 games last week, Billy  was a sizzling 6-for-7 at the plate including a double, 2 homeruns, 5 runs scored and 7 rbi (and then topped it off by starting this week with another homerun and 2 rbi).

Fantasy Impact: A 2-time defending Silver Slugger Award winner and 3-time defending Gold Glove Award winner (for 1st basemen), this hot streak couldn’t come at a better time for Team ‘Hold the Door’ (mgr: Jon Morse). Uberti is now hitting .405 with 11 runs, 17 rbi and 6 extra-base hits. Morse’s squad has been festering at the bottom of the offensive categories, so this infusion of run production couldn’t come at a better time.

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by | June 24, 2016 · 2:49 pm

YBL to honor Mr. Al Thomas

The YBL Board of Directors would like to forgo the weekly player profile this week so that we can honor one of the greatest sponsors the Yawkey League has ever seen, the late Mr. Al Thomas.  Mr. Thomas has meant so much to the Al Thomas Athletics and the Yawkey League for so many years that a ceremony will be held in his honor this Sunday, June 26th at Cunningham Field in Milton, MA.

As a tribute to Mr. Thomas and all that he has meant to the franchise and league two benches will be dedicated in his memory.  The ceremony will begin at 1:20pm followed by a Yawkey League game between the newest franchise, the Charlestown Townies and Al’s beloved and undefeated Athletics.

All families and friends of the YBL are invited to take part in this special dedication.

 

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by | June 22, 2016 · 12:46 pm

YBL Players of the Week (Jun13-Jun19)

PITCHER OF THE WEEK: Pat Shore – Revere Rockies – #6

Shore

With a complete game shutout over the potent South End Astros on Thursday, our newest Pitcher of the Week is Pat Shore from the Rockies. Pat (seen above at tropical Revere HS) spread out 4 hits and a walk over his 7 innings while showing 7 Astros hitters to their seat via strikeout.

Fantasy Impact: With this shutout, Pat has improved to 2-1 on the season for Team ‘Dirty Sandinis’ (mgr: Nate Laliberte/Chris Santosuosso). A late-round pick, Pat is shaping up to be one of the steals in the draft as he now boasts a .420 era with 18 strikeouts over 16.2 innings. Sure, he also hit a batter……but that guy probably deserved it.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: James Katsiroubas – Al Thomas Athletics – #16

katsiroubas

And taking home the next Player of the Week award is the reigning Yawkey League MVP, James Katsiroubas. After a slow start to the season (if hitting .320 over the first 9 games is considered slow), Katz went 6-for-15 last week including a triple and 2 homeruns, with 9 runs and 6 rbi.

Fantasy Impact: The top pick for Team ‘Make Way for Doc-Lings’ (mgr: Marc DesRoches), James is a prototypical clean-up hitter who has been setting the table since midway through 2015 for the currently undefeated A’s. He doesn’t lead the league in a single category, instead choosing to lurk just below the surface….which is all the more terrifying for the rest of the YBL. If Katz is in the midst of one of his trademark streaks, look for his .350/.559/.700 slash line to only get better.

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by | June 16, 2016 · 12:17 pm

Player Profile: Brian Tanguy (Somerville Alibrandis #21)

Tanguy

Brian Tanguy (yes, this is often confusing, but we can clear it up once and for all now…….it’s pronounced BRY-uhn) joined the Alibrandis franchise of the Yawkey League after a well-traveled career throwing the pill all over the map. After graduating from BC High, the Weymouth native refused to allow an opposing line-up to get to know his repertoire too well. He made stops at St. Anselm’s College, Clarendon (TX) Junior College and Tennessee Wesleyan College, Brian then settled into a 3 year stint at UMass-Lowell from 2005-2007.

Brian played professionally for the Boston Rox of the Can-Am League in 2007-2008 before digging into Cranberry League, Yawkey League and MABL rosters. Since 2012 he can be found closing the important games for the Red Army (28 career saves and counting, which is impressive considering that the Alibrandis rarely have more than 2-3 games a season that provide save opportunities), and has won 4 Yawkey League Championships in the process.

Tanguy is also an accomplished coach and a terrific instructor. He has been at the helm, as well as the assistant coach of several baseball programs both at the scholastic and club levels. He has coached at Gann Academy, RBI Baseball Academy and the South Shore Baseball Club. He is presently an assistant and pitching coach for the 2015 Mariners 13U Super Division Team.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet “Hose,” Brian Tanguy (again, BRY-uhn).

(intro courtesy of Marc DesRoches)

Nickname: Tange, Hose

Position(s): Pitcher

Bats/Throws: R/R

Club(s) Played for in YBL: The Defending Champs (so modest)

Where did you grow up? South Shore

Where do you live now? Weymouth

When is your birthday? 3/28/84

Where did you go to college? The real question is, where didn’t I go… (In this order) St. Anselm College, Clarendon Junior College in Texas, Tennessee Wesleyan College and UMass Lowell

What do you do for a living? General Manager for All-Pro Builders (Family Owned General Contracting Company)

If you played pro ball, where have you played, and what was the most interesting city you called home? I played for the Brockton Rox Professional Baseball Team in 2007… While playing for the Brockton Rox in 2007, my first road trip was against The Quebec Capitales, in Quebec City, Canada. It was my first time in Canada. The place we stayed in was in rough shape, to say the least…blood stains on the floor – looked like a battle scene…nice classy place! Even the McDonald’s menu is bizarre (not because they are in French)…felt like I was in the twilight zone.

What baseball awards / honors have you won in your life? 

YBL Dick Radatz Fireman of the Year Award in 2012, 2013 and 2014

YBL Championship Series Co-MVP in 2013

Catholic Conference All Star in 2002, Patriot Ledger All Scholastic 2002

Do you coach/play anywhere outside the YBL? Where? I play for the Boston Bombers of the MSBL 28+ League in Boston. I am the pitching coach for the 15-18U Boston Prospects in Pembroke, MA.

Been part of any championship teams prior to / outside of the YBL?

2015 MSBL Over 30 Champions – Boston Bombers

Cranberry League (Hingham Phillies) 2003 – Stan Musial Tournament New England Champions

Member of the greatest High School Team EVER (in my opinion) in MA – 2001 State Championship BC High Eagles Baseball Team

What years have you been an All-Star in the YBL? 2012-2015

Favorite MLB player(s) of all time? Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez, Derek Jeter, Nolan Ryan…nuff said

You’re on your way to a game, what are you listening to in order to get hyped? Metallica, Guns and Roses, Eminem – The angriest music I can find.

What are your 3 favorite shows right now? In the past year, I have been blessed enough to be watching TV shows with my cute 8 month old son, Brian Jr (he gives my wife and I no time to watch our own shows)….so with that said, Sesame Street, Paw Patrol…you get my drift.

What is the best trip you’ve ever taken? To Antigua with my wife on our honeymoon…non-stop food, drinks and dessert available at all times, what’s not to love?

Who is the most underrated player on your team? Bobby Barrett/Sean Sullivan – Bobby Barrett looks like some dude out of Duck Dynasty right now, but he’s a silent assassin…when it counts, Bobby always gets the job done at the plate. He’s an RBI Machine. I believe teams forget about Sean Sullivan at times…he’s an enforcer on the mound in the playoffs…just take a look at “Big Red’s” career Playoff Record and you will know what I’m talking about.

Who else on your team would make for an interesting interview? Mike Maguire being interviewed by Anthony DelPrete would be non-stop laughter.

Who have you most looked up to in the YBL? Marc DesRoches – Had the pleasure of watching this guy play for a few years and the old man, in my opinion, would still be one of the best players in the league right now…the legend of Doc is as true as can be…he plays the game with fire and he plays every game like it’s his last. Pleasure playing with you, Doc!

Who is the toughest hitter to face in the YBL? Tough one to say…I see guys once through a lineup most games being a closer and don’t really get to see guys strengths and weaknesses on a multi-inning basis…I also don’t know many of the guys in this league either…but throwing to Katzy is definitely a challenge.

What was the most exciting moment you’ve had in the YBL? Turning, what my teammates will say, was the slowest bases loaded 1-6-3 double play they have ever seen, in the 2013 Championship game against the Revere Rockies to end the game and win the championship.

Also watching Billy Karalis and Dave Lightbody annihilate baseballs in the 2015 Championship Series…never seen anything like it!

What are your hobbies/passions outside of baseball? I golf, I fish, blah blah…Baseball is really my only real passion (outside of hanging out with my wife and my son of course)…baseball is really all I have ever been passionate about!

What was the greatest accomplishment in your life? Getting married to my beautiful wife, Liz, as well as my wife giving birth to our little guy, Brian Jr…those outweigh everything in my life!

Who is the most influential person(s) in your life? It’s a combination of 3 people…my father (Brian Tanguy), my grandfather (Marty Barnes) and my baseball coach since I was 4 years old (Frank Niles). My father did whatever it took to get me to all of my games since I was 8 or 9 years old, even if it was 3 games in one day…he still to this day, does not miss a game. My grandfather was an umpire and coach for years and knew how to get the best out of me. Frank Niles taught me the game of baseball at a young age and how to play it the right way. They all individually gave me the foundation I needed to succeed in baseball and in life.

Do you have any pets? Yes, a black cat named Penny.

How does your significant other handle your baseball habit? Of course all wives or girlfriends think we are crazy for all of the baseball we play/coach…but at the end of the day, my wife, is the most supportive wife I could ever ask for…I play for two teams (Somerville Alibrandi’s and Boston Bombers), along with coaching and doing pitching lessons…I am completely engulfed in baseball all year round and she knows how important it is to me…can’t ask for anything better.

What drives you to keep playing ball every summer? Baseball and I were love at first sight…tough to imagine life without playing this game…but at age 32, my driving force is that I keep telling myself, until I can’t get these young hitters out, I’m not going to stop playing. Every year it becomes more and more challenging, but I know I can still compete…and I pitch every game like it’s my last. I also would like for my son to see me play before I’m finished.

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