Dom Keegan (center, Methuen, Mass.) won the College World Series as a freshman at Vanderbilt. (Don Feria)The craziest thing about Dom Keegan winning the College World Series as a freshman at Vanderbilt probably wasn’t the national title itself. Instead, it was a familiar voice yelling at him from … [Read more...]
MLB NinE: New England’s All-Time All-Star Team
George Springer reacts to his 10th-inning home run in the 2018 All-Star Game. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)George Springer will represent all of New England tonight at the MLB All-Star Game in Cleveland. The New Britain, Conn., native and product of both Avon Old Farms and UConn is leading off for the … [Read more...]
Springfield’s Isan Diaz charges toward dream debut in bigs
Isan Diaz (Springfield, Mass.) is en route to a pair of high-profile All-Star events in the coming week. (Parker Waters)Growing up in Springfield, Mass., even as one of the top players for his age, Isan Diaz didn’t always believe he had what it took to be a major-leaguer. He didn’t even believe his … [Read more...]
Mass. native Chris Lanzilli armed for College Home Run Derby
Chris Lanzilli of Stoneham, Mass., will compete in the College Home Run Derby on Saturday. (Brian Westerholt/Four Seam Images)Countless times over the years, Cam Lanzilli would throw batting practice to his younger brother, Chris, while growing up in Stoneham, Mass. Cam, a lefty pitcher, would pitch … [Read more...]
BC honors Pete Frates, who inspires Eagles to reach new heights
Pete Frates (center) surrounded by family, BC coach Mike Gambino and AD Martin Jarmond. (Eric Beato/NEBJ)Pete Frates’ inspiration and influence know no bounds. The former Boston College baseball captain who inspired the Ice Bucket Challenge in his quest to strike out ALS — the disease that he has … [Read more...]
Bryant coach Steve Owens departs for Rutgers
After nine seasons and 327 victories, Bryant head coach Steve Owens is departing for Rutgers. (Cynthia Ramirez Herrick)Bryant University — a prime Division 1 destination for many of New England’s top players — is beginning a national search for a new baseball leader after head coach Steve Owens was … [Read more...]
MLB NinE: Aaron Civale’s dominant debut vs. Detroit
Aaron Civale (East Windsor, Conn./Northeastern) collects congrats during his major-league debut. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)Every player's MLB debut is memorable, but not every debut is truly unforgettable. Aaron Civale's first major-league appearance June 22 with the Indians is one nobody will soon … [Read more...]
BC’s Mason Pelio shrugs off expectations after USA Baseball invitation
Boston College's Mason Pelio has been invited to USA Baseball Collegiate National Team training camp. (Andy Mead/BC Athletics)Expectations continue to build for Boston College pitcher Mason Pelio. But the New Hampshire-born, Southern California-raised right-hander isn’t buying in to any of … [Read more...]
MLB NinE: Pair of New England pitchers brighten Rays’ outlook
Tampa Bay Rays ace Charlie Morton (Redding, Conn.) pitches against the Twins on May 30. (Mike Carlson/Getty Images)Two New England arms have been rays of sunshine for the surprising, first-place Tampa Bay Rays. Charlie Morton (Redding, Conn.) has been the ace of the Rays' rotation after signing as a … [Read more...]
MLB draft: Complete list of New Englanders selected
North Andover (Mass.) High Sebastian Keane (Dave Arnold/New England Baseball Journal)It was an unforgettable day for Sebastian Keane. After being passed over in the first 10 rounds during the first two days of the MLB draft, the North Andover (Mass.) High ace was selected Wednesday by the Boston Red … [Read more...]
Inside ace Corey Kluber’s offseason training at Cressey Sports Performance in Hudson, Mass.
It's a cold winter morning, just days before the new year, and one of the most intimidating pitchers on the planet is humming fastballs in a near-empty gym in central Massachusetts. Corey Kluber, two-time AL Cy Young Award winner, has driven 40 minutes from Winchester, Mass., to Cressey Sports … [Read more...]
UConn’s George Springer named World Series MVP
The skinny Connecticut kid with a stutter grew up to be a World Series MVP. George Springer — who was born and raised in New Britain, Conn., and who starred at Avon Old Farms and UConn — put on a World Series for the ages, driving the Houston Astros to their first World Series … [Read more...]
