Since 1980, only eight ballplayers have made their professional debut at the major-league level, and only two since 2000. With seven minor-league levels, traversing the system to reach the goal of making it to the big leagues can be a slog as hundreds of New England hopefuls attempt to trickle their … [Read more...]
19 minor-league All-Stars from New England
There’s something about an All-Star Game that evokes the best of what baseball has to offer, providing similar emotions in both the players and the fans. From the different uniforms coming together to the introductions of the popular stars and the unsung players finally getting their recognition, a … [Read more...]
Oral history: How the MIAA’s Super 8 was born six years ago
In the summer of 2013, then Lincoln-Sudbury head coach Kirk Fredericks put into action a plan that he and his father, Don, had been batting around for some time. In an effort to give Massachusetts high school baseball a shot in the arm, a proposal was formed to introduce a double-elimination … [Read more...]
John Andreoli focuses on power game amid whirlwind journey
After seven years in the Chicago Cubs organization that drafted him, John Andreoli has, as Johnny Cash might say, “been everywhere, man.” Entering the 2018 season, the Shrewsbury, Mass., native and UConn product found himself a free agent for the first time in his professional career. He signed with … [Read more...]
BC alumnus Brian Rapp embracing the joy in the pro game
In his first full season of professional baseball, former Boston College hurler Brian Rapp is enjoying the game just as much, if not more so than when he had his cheeks stuffed with Big League Chew on a New Jersey little league diamond. A 26th-round selection of the Minnesota Twins last June, the … [Read more...]
Fatherhood brings new perspective to Bryce Brentz
After a roller-coaster year away from the organization that drafted him, 30-year-old outfielder Bryce Brentz returned to the Red Sox system in January and was assigned once again to Triple-A Pawtucket, a team that he has played more games for than all other teams combined. In 2018, he was traded to … [Read more...]