There's a SHIP sinking FAHST in the HABAH!!!!

THE SS YANKEE IS NOSE UP IN THE HABAH!

A True Patriot Falls Saving Another's Life!

Authorities have found the body of New England Patriots defensive end Marquise Hill near the location of a jetski accident on Lake Pontchartrain. He was 24.

(Staff file photo by Angela Rowlings - HERALD)

May God Rest His Soul. The gates of heaven are open to Marquise this day.

Pats player dies after rescuing palBy John TomaseBoston Herald Sports Writer
Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - Updated: 03:34 AM ESTMarquise Hill absorbed a lot of shots during his Patriots [team stats] career, but he never let them change the man he was off the field.

A 2004 second-round pick out of LSU, Hill may not have cracked the starting lineup, but that didn’t stop him from donating his time and energy to a number of worthwhile causes, be it constructing an access ramp for a Mattapan resident or helping his neighbors in Katrina-ravaged New Orleans to rebuild.

The Patriots today are mourning a tragedy in Hill’s native Louisiana, where the defensive end disappeared Sunday night after a Jet Ski accident on Lake Pontchartrain.

His body was discovered yesterday afternoon.

“We have suffered a stunning and tragic loss today,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said in a statement. “Marquise will be remembered as a thoughtful and caring young man who established himself as one of the yearround daily fixtures of our team. I send my deepest condolences to the Hill family,” he said.

Added Patriots owner Robert Kraft: “We are absolutely heartbroken to learn of Marquise’s death. Our immediate thoughts go to Marquise’s mother, Sherry, and the rest of his family. He was only 24 years old and his death is hard to comprehend. Marquise was a very respectful young man who worked hard to improve and was always eager to contribute to the team, both on the field and in the community.”

Patriots cornerback Randall Gay, who played with Hill at LSU, was at the scene when authorities found his body, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

“I know it’s going to be hard in that locker room seeing his locker,” Gay said.

Hill arrived in Foxboro with the potential to be a high-reward pick. A stalwart on LSU’s 2003 national championship team, the 6-foot-6, 300-pounder possessed many of the physical tools coaches desire.

However, he landed behind one of the best sets of defensive linemen in the NFL, squeezed for playing time by All-Pro-caliber players Richard Seymour [stats], Vince Wilfork [stats] and Ty Warren [stats], with fellow LSU grad Jarvis Green a superb pass-rushing specialist off the bench.

Hill endured his share of criticism for not cracking the rotation, but he kept his head up high.

“I don’t worry about what other people say, because they can’t play football,” he said last season. “You can’t get down on yourself too early in your career if you’re behind some good guys.

“Obviously you want to play, but everything happens for a reason, so you have to sit back and wait, and when your time comes, take advantage of it,” he said.

The Patriots clearly believed Hill had something to offer, keeping him on the roster for each of the past three seasons. He appeared in 13 games during that time, recording three tackles. A team-first attitude and humble nature helped his cause.

One of the most heralded recruits in the country coming out of De La Salle High School in New Orleans, Hill started 24 of 38 games for LSU before entering the draft as a junior. He came recommended by then-LSU coach Nick Saban, a close friend of Belichick’s.

With Green and Mike Wright already ahead of him on the depth chart, Hill faced another battle for a spot on the team this season after the Patriots drafted Miami defensive tackle Kareem Brown.

100 Innings of Baseball = Baseball Heaven!

ADAMS FIELD - SATURDAY, MAY 26 & SUNDAY MAY 27

A touch of baseball heaven - the 100 Innings of Baseball - featuring hundreds of young men who play baseball they way it was meant to be played for FUN! Quincy hosted this tremendous event which helped support ALS research and the Curt's Pitch Initiative.

Walter Bentson, Bret Rudy and company did a terrific job running the Show!. I had an opportunity to sit in the stands have a laugh or two and enjoy some fun baseball in the evening (5Pm to 8:30PM). Then my assistant coach, Bill Cunningham and I returned for late-night ball from 1AM to 3;30AM. YIKES! Ya think we were nuts being there at that time of night? How about the guys like Rob Linn & Dana Levensaler (McKay Club), Chris Stockbridge (Erie Pub), Rudy, Bentson and others who were there allllllll day and night long.

It was nice to see players from so many teams and leagues reach out and make the trek to Adams Field on a sunny Memorial Day weekend. Each guy made a $20 contribution and some raised thousands more to play in the event. They had a rolling batting order and players were plugged into positions as they became available.

Rob Linn (Yawkey League) began catching at 6PM Saturday evening and he was still behind the stick at 3;30AM. Linn caught 60 plus innings before giving the tools to someone else. Wife Dev was there every step of the way.

McKay Club Team Captain - Chirs Deane PITCHED for two innings. Deane got shelled in his first inning. BUT - he was brilliant in his second stanza. My - I will never hear the end of that!

The GAME began at 9AM Saturday and just ended at 2:40PM Sunday afternoon. WHO WON? WHO CARES! That was the type of event it was. The folks who won are those afflicted with the deadly Lou Gehrig's Disease. God Bless them and the KIDS who played 100 Innings of Baseball for ALS!

Boston Basball Heads Show AIRS on ComCast

BOSTON BASEBALL HEADS

BOSTON & BROOKLINE CH 12

Friends in Baseball:

The very first Boston Baseball Heads Show: hosted by yours-truly - will air beginning this weekend. Here is where you can view the shows. Dates and times are included:

Boston/Brookline ComCast - Ch 12

Sunday - May 27; Monday - May 28; Tuesday - May 29; Wednesday - May 30 all at 8:00PM.
Thursday - May 31 and Friday - June 1 both at 3:00PM.

Saturday - June 2 @ 7:30PM

Revere Community Access - check for listings.

I hope you have an opportunity to view the telecast. It is an hour of fun and baseball. This show is dedicated to the Thomas A. Yawkey League of Boston.

Sox BLAST WANKEES 7-3. Lead @ 10 1/2!

David Ortiz greets Manny after his 3 run blast in 1st!

Tavarez unwraps victory - Celebrating 34th birthday, righty beat Yankees @ Bronx

Nice night out for the Sox and their #5 ACE in the hole Julian Tavarez. The Birthday Boy - behind a first inning 3 run tall jack off the lumber of Manny Mania took the middle game of the series in the Bronx. This is the 2nd huge win for Tavarez against the "Wankees".

Red Sox went back to their 10 1/2 game lead over New York. Mike Lowell (2-4 including a HR & double - now hitting .329) and Kevin Youkilis (2-5 2R & 15 game hit streak batting .343) chipped in to push the weak hitting soft pitching Bronx BUMS to near extinction.

Nice battle tonite - Schilling vs Pettitte! Can you say --- 11 1/2?

Baseball Movie Quotes

Here are some fun Baseball Quotes from some excellent and so so excellent Baseball Movies:



Baseball Movie Quotes


Baseball has played a major and minor role in motion pictures for nearly a century. Whether you recall Gary Cooper playing Lou Gehrig in Pride of the Yankees or Tom Hanks simply mentioning he was the coach of the high school baseball team in Saving Private Ryan, there have been some great quotations in and about baseball movies. To that end Baseball Almanac is pleased to present a unique collection of quotations made in baseball movies, about baseballmovies, and a special section or two...


"If you build it, he will come." - Kevin Costner
Baseball Movie Quotes
In Alphabetical Order
Quotes From Baseball Movies


"Ahh, Jesus, I like him very much, but He no help with curveball." - Serrano. "Are you trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?" - Harris in Major League (1989)
"Do you know what we get to do today Brooks? We get to play baseball." - Jim Morris (Dennis Quaid) in The Rookie (2002)
"God, I just love baseball." - Robert Redford in The Natural (1984)
"If you build it, he will come." - Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams (1989)
"I love baseball. You know it doesn't have to mean anything, it's just beautiful to watch." - Woody Allen in Zelig (1983)
"I'm an escaped car thief. I broke out of prison to see the Cubs in the World Series." - James Belushi in Taking Care of Business (1990)
"I still get such a bang out of it, playing ball. Same as I did when I first come up. You get out there and the stands are full and everybody is cheering. It is like everbody in the world come to see you. Inside that there is the players in there and there yakking it up and the pitcher throws and your looking for that pill and suddenly there is nothing else in the ballpark you and it and sometimes when your feeling right and there is a groove there and the bat just eases into it and meets that ball. When the bat meets that ball you can feel that ball just give and you know it is going to go a long way. Damn, if you don't feel like your going to live forever." - John Cusac as Buck Weaver in Eight Men Out (1988)
"Pick me out a winner, Bobby"- Roy Hobbs in The Natural (1984)
"People all say that I've had a bad break. But today, today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the Earth." - Gary Cooper in Pride of the Yankees (1942) [read Lou Gehrig quotations for the exact speech - lines are correct, but the order has been changed]
"The one constant through all the years has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It's been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that once was good, and what could be again." - James Earl Jones in Field of Dreams (1989)
"Well I can't rightly say (which player hit the ball hardest), but the ones (home runs by Babe) Ruth hit got smaller quicker." -Walter Johnson in Ken Burns Baseball (1994)
Quotes From Bull Durham (1988)
"A good friend of mine used to say, 'This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains.' Think about that for a while."
"God, the sucker teed-off on that like he knew I was gonna throw a fast ball. He did know. How? I told him."
"I'm your new catcher and you just got lesson number one: don't think, it can only hurt the ballclub."
"Man that ball got outta here in a hurry, you know anything that travels that far oughta have a damn stewardess on it, don't you think?"
"Quit trying to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring and besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls. They're more democratic." - Crash Davis to Nuke
"Strikeouts are boring. Besides that, they're fascist."
"There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary. And there are 108 stitches in a baseball. When I learned that, I gave Jesus a chance."
"Think classy, you'll be classy. You win twenty in the show, you can let the fungus grow back on your shower shoes and the press will think you're colorful."
"Who the hell are you? I'm the player to be named later."
"Yeah, I was in the show. I was in the show for twenty-one days once."
"You guys...you lollygag the ball around the infield. You lollygag your way down to first. You lollygag in and out of the dugout. You know what that makes you? Lollygaggers!"

Frank Galasso - America's Sports Cartoonist

www.frankgalasso.com

1-401-615-2613

David Ortiz & Dice K Cart

"Click on the above for a better look."

Many who grew up in the OLD DAYS remember the famous Sports Cartoonists who told the story of the afternoon or night game by drawing fun pictures of that event. Frank Gallaso of Rhode Island has continued that legacy.

Those who are interested in Sports Art and memorabilia would be well served to visit Frank's web-page. Gallaso's art is always featured on the Boston Dirt Dog and other popular sports blogs. His "stuff" is for sale and he even publishes a 2007 Calender for posting.

Check out his web-page - address is above or call to order these great items.

Boston PARK LEAGUE Opens TONIGHT!

http://www.bostonparkleague.org/

The Boston Park League - America's OLDEST Amateur Baseball League opens its 78th season at various locations this evening. The Park League has been a staple of good baseball in Boston since 1929. The 2007 season will be an exciting one as the 9 team "wood bat" league begins play.

Here is a schedule of games for may 21. Admission is FREE and the Red Sox are out of town so pack up a lawn chair and bring the kids for some exciting amateur baseball under the stars at our beautiful Boston parks:


7:30PM - Hines/ADSL @ Mass Envelope
Stewart Diamond

7:30PM - Towne @ Irish Village
Cleveland Circlen

8:00PM - Stockyard @ Carlson
Jim Rice Field

8:00PM - Padres @ Palmer
Kelly Field

Park League History

The Boston Park League was founded in 1929 by Bob Cusick, program director for the Boston Parks and Recreation Department. It was his vision for the City of Boston to support and manage a quality amateur baseball league, and have most of the areas of the City represented. Charlestown, East Boston, South Boston, Hyde Park, Brighton, West Roxbury, Roslindale, Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, Mattapan, South End, and Dorchester all had teams at some period of time. Teams were sponsored by many different individuals, businesses, and churches. The popular after dinner league was highly publicized, and games were well attended. In the 1930's and 40's, it was not unusual to see 3,000 ' 5,000 fans show up for a regular season game. Come play-off time, the attendance would increase from 8,000 to 12,000 a game.

In the 50's and 60's, the league continued to draw 6,000 or more to post season playoff games. These were the most productive years. As attendance began to level off, the league continued to prosper, as a steady stream of skilled players were coming and going. The players came from High Schools, Colleges, and many were ex pro's, who's experience and desire influenced many a ballplayer to play in the best league around. The Boston Park League.

In 1982, the City of Boston decided to pass on the administrative duties to a small group of former players and coaches. The league named Bill Mahoney it's first President, Harvey Soolman Secretary Treasurer, and Walt Mortimer Umpire in Chief. With the need for more funding, the Budweiser Brewing Co. of Medford, Ma., distributors of Bud Light, sponsored the league for 4 years. The Yawkey Foundation came on board in 1986, and has continuously sponsored the Boston Park League for the last 20 years.

A steady stream of Presidents have served the league with dignity and dedication. They include Leo Casey (83 & 84), Bill Stewart Jr. (85), Walt Mortimer (86), Skip Landry (87 & 88), Josh Powell(89), Bob Powers (90-92), Eddie Miller (93-95), Dr. Bob Wilkinson(96-01), and Walt Bentson (02-06).

The City of Boston have made 4 fields available to the Boston Park League, and have done extensive maintenance and upgrading by adding new lights and new infields. They include Dick Casey Town Field in Dorchester, Bill Stewart Diamond at Fallon Field in Roslindale, Cassidy Playground in Cleveland Circle, Brighton, and East Boston Stadium near Logan Airport. The 5th ballpark is Kelly Field in Hyde Park, and is maintained by the Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR). They do an excellent job year in and year out.

The league celebrated it's 75th Anniversary in 2004. This is what sets the Boston Park League apart from other long standing leagues around the country. In 2006, there will be 9 teams competing. They include the Palmer Club, Stockyard, Irish Village, Hines/ADSL, Cannon Club, Carlson Club, Boston Padres, Mass. Envelope, and the Towne Club. They will play a 32 game schedule (subject to change) that will run through the first week of August. The top 4 teams in the final regular season standings will play a 3 out of 5 semi final playoffs, 1-4, 2-3, and the winners will play a 4 out of 7 series for the league championship.

Boston Typos Look for All Stars to Play in Ft. Myers, FLA!

Mike Powers - Manager of Boston Typo Barnstorming Team
with Mike is his nephew Cameron.

Mike Powers, Manager of the Somerville Alibrandi Highlander Club is currently looking for players to participate in the Boston Typos Baseball Tournament in Fort Myers, Florida this July. The dates are July 21-July 28. The Typos play a 4 game tournament against teams from St. Louis, Chicago, Washington D.C. and Pittsburgh. Mike compiles a group of players from amateur leagues in greater Boston to play in this exciting tournament. Games are played in either the spring training facility that the Red Sox and Twins play on. The fields are great and the Typos are guaranteed at least one game in the big stadium. Powers is looking for some all stars to take down for the week. Any players who are interested please contact Mike directly at either: Michael.powers@cingular.com or mpowers29@yahoo.com . Players are responsible for their own flight. The hotel and baseball fees however are all covered for the week.

BOSTON BASEBALL HEADS SHOW PREMIER A SUCCESS!

Coach Dave Hanley and Sean Gildea

Hanley, Gildea & DaveMcKay

Gildea and DesRoches

"Cuz" Stu and Arlen

The Boston Baseball Head - Dave McKay

Click on pics for larger view

The Boston Baseball Heads Show was taped on Thursday - June 17th at the ComCast Studios in Cambridge. If I may say so myself -- and I will -- IT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS! We had a professional production staff led my Executive Producer of Community Access, Arlen Showstack and his side-kick, "Cuz" Stu Sklaver, who acted as Floor Manager and camera man.

I was very fortunate to have some great "talent" to interview. 2006 Yawkey League MVP & Triple Crown Award Winner, Marc DesRoches appeared. Sean Gildea, 2006 Roger Clemens Award Winner for the YBL was also in attendance.

Dave Hanley, the Manager of the Year for the YBL Stewart Conference came by and added his insight into the League and coaching amateur and collegiate level baseball. A YBL telecasts would never be complete without the help of Al Ditullio. Al serves as a valuable component of our TV Game Coverage on ComCast. He is a sometimes color man & sideline reporter.

In all the first taping was a huge amount of fun and I look forward to being a part of this enterprise for a long time to come. We informed and made some folks laugh - I hope!

THANKS ARLEN!

Boston Baseball Heads Premier Show!

The Boston Boston Baseball Heads Show will be taped for the very first time at the Cambridge Studios of ComCast TOMORROW! I can't believe the show is going on the air and in fact in my old age -- I am a bit excited and charged up about the entire enterprise. We will sit for one hour tomorrow talking Baseball. Amateur Baseball!

Guests include: Yawkey League MVP & Triple Crown Winner - Marc DesRoches; Sean Gildea - 2006 Yawkey League Cy Young Awards Winner and Stewart Conference Manager of the Year - Dave Hanley.

We will also take a look at Yawkey League action as the league opened on May 11.

The show will conclude with a special tribute to Joe Driscoll. Joe recently passed and his good buddies Peter Williams and Walter Bentson will appear.

This is a great day for the amateur baseball community and we hope you tune in when the program is repeatedly telecast on ComCast - CH 12 in Boston & Brookline. We are trying to branch the show out to the metro-region as well.

Kyle McKay Named As Tri-Captain @ Colby College in 2008!

#9 - Kyle McKay Preparing his staff.

I am so very proud to announce that the Colby College Mule baseball team have elected my nephew, Kyle McKay (Bedford, NH) as a Tri-Captain for the 2008 season. This news comes on the heels of a tough spring for the Mules.

They struggled in the pitching department all season and had a losing record. Kyle's solid leadership as the Mule full time catcher, will assist the pitching staff as they mature. It is also nice to report that Kyle is a tremendous student at Colby. His GPA is near 4.0. He knows how to work hard and play at the same time. Always keeping his priorities in order.

Our entire family - especially his Mom & Dad (Kate & Phil) have great respect for this young man, who always makes us proud.

Between The White Lines

Quote Appearing on print:

"When I step between the lines, I become a legend. With my head held high and hat to my chest, the words "Oh say! can you see," remind me of what I am: A catalyst of tradition, striving to measure up to the heroes from past and present. Through countless hours of dedication and hard work, I live my dream. My heart is filled with true love for this game knowing I, too, could be one of the all-time greats. I exist solely to experience the senses that are unmistakable and sacred to "America's Game." The smell of freshly cut grass. The distinct sound of a ball meeting the bat. Sensations of holding the glove to my face as the sun warms the back of my neck. These are the immortal rewards in baseball. This passionate game has created who I am, a member of an elite group: The Boys of Summer. Then I hear those timeless words of "PLAY BALL!" which once again remind me game time has arrived. It has always been at this very moment, between these lines, that I become frozen in time, when I am pure! And now, as the sun paints another beautiful picture of our national pastime, my heart begins to question who the better player will be today. Who has worked harder? Who will be tougher? Who wants it more? No matter who this may be, the humbling game of baseball will neither care nor remember the next time we step Between The Lines."

Note: You can find this and other great baseball/sports stuff @ www.sportswall.com

Tom Yawkey League Honors Tony Conigliaro

#25 - Tony Conigliaro - A Boston Baseball hero!

Tony C with The Say hey Kid - Willie Mayes in '66

The Thomas A. Yawkey League Board of Directors has voted to honor the memory of local Boston Area sports hero - Tony Conigliaro. Tony C was born and brought up in revere, MA. He attended St. Mary's HS in Lynn and went on to be one of the hottest local baseball prospects of the 1960's.


Conigliaro came up thru the Sox system fast and made a home run in his first Fenway Park plate appearance. he was the youngest player in major league history to strike 100 HR's and was destined for a Hall of Fame career.


As the Red Sox were entrenched in their Impossible Dream season in late August, Conig was smashed in the face with a Jack Hamilton fast ball. His life hung in the balance that night as he lay "sprawling in the dirt". "The doctors said he would be OK -- but he won't be back this season", Jess Cain once wrote. He did return - but never to the high stature and promise that he espoused.


The life of Tony Conigliaro was a mirror of a young man who lived fast, hard and well in the 1960's. When his comeback with the Sox and baseball fell short - he turned to Hollywood and a singing career.

The Yawkey League has named one of its Three Divisions in name of Tony Conigliaro. Here is a Press release from the YBL Office:




The Board of Directors have voted to name the Third YBL Division after a local - Eastern Massachusetts - baseball hero, who's life was cut short. His career was hindered by a beaning in 1967 and his Hall of Fame Dreams were shut down by set-back after set-back. The man who the YBL wishes to honor by naming its Third Division is - Tony Conigliaro.Tony C is the Boston Red Sox player who came up thru the ranks out of Revere & Lynn, MA. He hit a home run in his first Fenway at bat. Tony C reached the 100 HR mark swifter than any player in major league history. The Yawkey League celebrates the life and accomplishments of Tony Conigliaro. We are happy to draw his name into our family.


Tony Conigliaro Division


MEDFORD MAD DOGS
MALDEN BULL DOGS
REVERE ROCKIES
CHELSEA ROYALS
CHELSEA NATIONALS
EAST BOSTON BLUE


Here is a brief Bio of the late great Boston Hero - Tony Conigliaro


Tony Conigliaro was the quintessential Boston ballplayer. Born in Revere, Massachusetts toward the end of World War II, Conigliaro rose rapidly to stardom.


His handsome face and raw talent made New England women swoon. Ascending to the major leagues just a year after signing a contract with the Red Sox in 1963, Tony C wasted no time finding a niche in baseball.


He hit a home run in his first major league game. For the season, he hit .290 with 24 home runs over the first five months, but after breaking his arm in August, he saw the Rookie of the Year award go to Minnesota's Tony Oliva. When Conigliaro hit 32 homers the following season, he become, at age 20, the youngest home run champion in the history of the American League. He had also become the youngest person to reach 100 homers.


Off the field, Tony C's popularity allowed him to pursue another interest: singing! He cut several records on the RCA and Penn Tone labels.


But Tony C's life would never be the same after August 18, 1967. During a night game at Fenway Park, Conigliaro was hit in the face by a fastball from California Angels' pitcher Jack Hamilton. He suffered a broken cheekbone and temporarily lost the sight in his left eye, causing him to miss the 1968 season.


Conigliaro returned in 1969, winning the Comeback Player of the Year award. In '70, he belted 36 homers and it appeared, his career was back on track. But vision problems continued to bother him and he left the big leagues in 1971. He attempted a brief comeback in 1975 but it failed.


In 1982, Conigliaro suffered a heart attack while returning from an audition for the Red Sox telecasts. He was never the same and on February 24, 1990, this seemingly indestructible hero died.

YBL Medford Star - Sean Gildea leads Colby-Sawyer College!

2006 Yawkey League Cy Young Winner - Sean Gildea

The 2006 Yawkey League Cy Young Award Winner - Sean Gildea has continued his success at college. Sean was named All Conference Pitcher for Colby-Sawyer in New London, NH this spring.

Gildea led the Yawkey League in all pitching categories in 2006. He had a no hitter and led his Medford Mad Dog team to the YBL Championship Finals in just their third year in the League.

Sean is a likable "tow-head" who dazzles with a solid fast ball and a curve that begins on Monday and ends on Tuesday evening.

The Mad Dogs will fight once again for their Conference and League Finalist Titles as they open the season against Somerville on Saturday at Trum Field.

Gildea's - Yawkey League -- Medford Mad Dog Stats in '06:

13G; 7W - 3L; 67.2IP; 59H; 27R; 21ER; 35BB; 89K; 2.17ERA

Gildea Leads Colby-Sawyer College Baseball All-Conference Awards

NEW LONODN, N.H. – Colby-Sawyer senior Sean Gildea, a native of Haverhill, Mass., earned a myriad of Commonwealth Coast Conference Awards including CCC Pitcher of the Year, Senior Scholar Athlete Award winner and First Team All-CCC for his efforts this past season.

Three other Chargers, Chris Baker (Essex Jct., Vt.), Kris Ramsay (Gardiner, Maine) and Tom White (Lisbon, N.H.) also received Honorable Mention All-Conference for their role in leading the Chargers to an 18-19 season and a third place finish in the CCC regular season. Gildea went 5-0 in conference play on the mound for the Chargers, not allowing a single run in 29 innings of work. Gildea surrendered just 13 hits in his five appearances, striking out 31 during the regular season. Opponents batted just .134 against Gildea, who allowed just two extra-base hits in conference play.

On the season, Gildea allowed just nine earned runs in eight appearances, going 6-2. Gildea finished the season as Colby-Sawyer's all-time strike-out leader, fanning 169 batters in his career as a Charger. Baker finished the season 5-3 overall with a 1.80 ERA in nine appearances. He struck out 32 batters and walked just 14 while holding opponents to just a .256 batting average.

Ramsay finished as the Chargers leader on offense, batting .350 in 31 games for the Chargers. Ramsay finished the season with one home run, three triples and four doubles in 103 plate appearances. He also had a fielding percentage of .982 holding down centerfield for the Chargers. As a pitcher, Ramsay went 2-3 in six appearances, pitching 31.2 innings and striking out 18. White finished the season batting .257 in 109 plate appearances. He drove in 14 runs and had nine doubles on the year and walked 11 times. White also had two appearances on the mound for the Chargers, pitching 2.0 innings and surrendering one earned run.

The Chargers finished the regular season 18-17 and earned the No. 3 seed in the Commonwealth Coast Conference baseball tournament. In the tournament, the Chargers offense let them down, as they scored just one run in two games, falling 1-0 to Nichols and 3-1 to Endicott, ending their season at 18-19

Published: May 09, 2007 04:24 pm HAVERHILL GAZETTE

A day after fanning 17 Nichols College batters, Colby-Sawyer College senior Sean Gildea received the school’s Scholar Athlete Award.“Sean’s distinguished grade point average, along with his efforts on the baseball field this past year, made him a unanimous choice (for the award),” said Mitch Capelle, Colby-Sawyer’s sports information director, noting that the award “is presented to a graduating senior who made significant contributions to both the scholastic and varsity programs at the college.”

And it gets better, as the 22-year-old Gildea of Haverhill was named the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Pitcher of the Year and First Team All-CCC.“It was a good year,” said Gildea, son of Alicia and Robert Gildea. “Obviously, I would have liked us to have won my last game, but that’s baseball and I am happy with the way everything went this season.”Gildea’s “last game” was the above-mentioned 17-strikeout gem against Nichols in the CCC tournament. Despite Gildea’s effort in which he set a new school single-game strikeout record (the previous record was 12), Colby-Sawyer fell 1-0.“I have never felt that good in a game,” said Gildea of his outing against Nichols.“In the first inning I got the first guy out on a weak popup, then struck out the next two batters. When one of the outfielders came in to the dugout, he said to me, ‘You are feeling pretty good today, huh?’ He could tell I was on. I don’t think I have ever thrown that hard in my life.”On the season, Gildea went 5-0 in conference play (6-2 overall, 1.69 earned run average) and did not allow a run in 29 innings of work in the CCC. Gildea finished the season as Colby-Sawyer’s all-time strikeout leader with 169 in his career.

“Sean finished with one of the best seasons in Colby-Sawyer baseball history,” Capelle said, noting that Gildea’s earned run average this season was the third lowest in school history.Colby-Sawyer head coach Jim Broughton, who shepherded Gildea, a 2003 St. John’s Prep graduate, for four years, said Gildea’s successful season is a result of his own hard work in the offseason.“At this level, not all players get better each year,” Broughton said. “In fact it’s rare, but Sean did it. He made improvements each year and has had four very good years.“He did not always get the support in the field behind him and we didn’t always score a lot of runs for him, like what happened in the game against Nichols, but Sean was always very consistent and very good.”

As for making improvements each season, Gildea attributes it to playing for the past few years in the Yawkey League, a summer league in the Boston area, in which batters use wooden bats as opposed to the aluminum bats players use in college.Last summer, Gildea, who played for the Medford Mad Dogs, won the Yawkey League’s Cy Young Award, presented to the league’s top pitcher, with a 7-2 record and an ERA a tad over 2.0. In one game, he struck out 19 batters in eight innings of work.“It’s a very competitive league,” said Gildea, a lefty who stands 6-foot-3. “There are a lot of college guys and former minor leaguers playing. When you play against guys with wooden bats, it forces you to focus on control and hitting your spots. It (playing in the league) was a great way to help me build up for the fall (college) season.”With a fastball in the low- to mid-80s, Gildea is not overpowering on the mound, said Broughton, but the 22-year-old possesses a “sharp breaking ball” and keeps batters off-balance.

“The biggest thing Sean has going for him is that he works the strikeout zone really well,” said Broughton, whose squad finished the season at 18-17. “He moves the ball up and down and in and out and really keeps batters guessing.”Off the mound, Gildea, an exercise and sports science major with a 3.5 grade point average, is the class treasurer for the Class of 2007. He was a senior mentor for incoming freshmen student athletes and writes for the school’s newspaper.As for his baseball future, Gildea said he will play at least another year in the Yawkey League and will “see what happens.”“Sean’s a great kid, who had a great career here at Colby-Sawyer,” Broughton said of his star pitcher who this season was twice named the conference’s co-pitcher of the week.“He gets it done in the classroom as well as on the mound.”

The Pride of the Yawkey League - Somerville!

www.eteamz.active.com/shsalumni/index.cfm

The TEAM to beat in the Thomas A. Yawkey League is a true dynasty.

Somerville Alibrandi Highlander Club has won 9 out of 10 YBL Championships. Yes - you read that correctly! A team that is loaded with talent. A team that has class on and off the field. "There is Somerville - and the rest of the Yawkey League", Dave McKay resounded when he crowned them "King of the League" in the Comcast Championship Finals vs Medford last September.

The rest of the 17 teams in the YBL have the dotting task of catching up to Somerville in 2007. This writer had a first hand look at the squad at Trum Field last night (May 8). They have better pitching than last year - Derek bates is back after major shoulder surgery. he looks solid. They still have a solid batting order from 1 to 9. Marc Des Roches the best damned player I have every seen on this level is in better shape than ever and will pitch, hit and run better than anyone on any team!

Alibrandis defeated McKay Club 3-0. They took advantage of the small mistakes the beacons made and scored the runs necessary in this 9 inning tune up for opening night - Friday, May 11 at Trum Field (8PM). Here is a look back at the 2006 season for the Best Dammed Baseball Team - Period!

The Somerville Alibrandis Baseball Club has been honored with awards that both have recognized the team and its players in recognition of the 2006 YBL Championship Season this past summer.

For the 8th consecutive season and the 9th time in 10 seasons, the Somerville Alibrandis Baseball Club was honored by the BoSox Club at a luncheon held at the Quincy Marriott on September 21st. On hand the receive the award wet Team President David Treska, Team Manager Mike Powers, Team Sponsor Tony Alibrandis of Alibrandis Barber Shop, Marc DesRoches, Tom McDonough, Mike Rigazzio, Steve Szathmary, Sal Mandonca and Mike Sadler (see pic above).

The BoSox Club is the oldest official fan club in Major League Baseball and promotes the game at all levels while assisting the Boston Red Sox in community and charitable endeavors. In 1967, Red Sox officials and fans organized the BoSox Club. Today, with over 800 members, it is the largest and oldest official fan club of its type in all of major league baseball. The BoSox Club promotes baseball at all levels and assists the Boston Red Sox in community and charitable endeavors. The Somerville team was honored to be recognized by the BoSox Club and this year had the added benefit of being presented their trophy by John Harrington. Harrington (see pic above), was the former CEO of the Boston Red Sox and the current President / Trustee of the Yawkey Foundation. "This event has been something that we have been very lucky to have taken part in each year," said Alibrandis Team President David Treska. "and to have Mr. Harrington be there to present us our award was quite a thrill for us as the trust as done so much for our league and baseball in New England".

The Yawkey Baseball League of Boston wrapped up the 2006 season when it held its annual voting for their postseason awards and Somerville Alibranids Baseball Club took home a few awards that were voted on by the 17 mangers that make up the league. Marc DesRoches took home the Most Valuable Player Award for the 3rd time in 5 seasons( 2002, 2004, 2006 ). DesRoches won the award in a landslide vote as he was the first known player to win the YBL's Triple Crown, leading the league in the three major offensive categories of bating average( .436 ), home runs( 4) and runs batted in( 29 ). On top of the historic season at the bat he also was among the best pitchers in the league going 5-1 with 2 saves, a 0.51 earned run average and he struck out 57 batters in 41.1 innings pitched.

Since the Yawkey Baseball League started to vote for this award in 2002 a member of the Alibrandis Team has won the award in each season, DesRoches a three time winner, Kevin White won the award in 2003 and David Scioli in 2005. DesRoches was also named co-Most Valuable Player of the postseason along with infielder Bernie Driscoll. DesRoches continued his regular season batting with a .389 average while hitting 2 home runs and driving in 10 to go along 3-0 on the hill with a 0.36 ERA and 17K's. Driscoll lead the team in the postseason in hitting posting a .419 average and lead the team in extra base hits with 6 including a home run and 8 runs batted in with 6 of those RBI’s coming in the finals series where Somerville defeated the Medford Maddogs 4 games to 1.

The next set of awards the Yawkey Baseball League announced were the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Teams. The Gold Glove team is made up of the players that the league deems to be the best defensive players at their positions and the Silver Sluggers are the best offensive players at their positions. Two members of the Somerville team earned the top defensive award from the YBL, DesRoches won his 5th at third base( 2001-2003, 2006 ) and Kevin White won a record 6th consecutive award as the best defensive second baseman( 2001-2006 ).

Somerville also had two members join the Silver Slugger team, DesRoches triple crown season help him win his 6th at third base( 2000-2003, 2005-2006 ) and a YBL rookie Justin Crisafulli won the award as the top offensive designated hitter in a season where he posted a .406 average with 1 home run and 16 RBI's. The local team did come close in a few more individual awards but were defeated in the final voting, Mike Powers who lead the team to an YBL best 25-7 regular season record came in second in Manager of the Year voting. Pitcher Jon Morse, who won the 2006 YBL earned run average title with a 1.19 came in second for the YBL's Pitcher of the Year Award.

The last award the YBL named was a new one to be given out, and one that is a team award, Franchise of the Year which was awarded to the Somerville Alibrandis Baseball Club. The team earned this award based on the 25-7 regular season, winning its 10th consecutive conference title and making its 11th playoff appearance. The local club then went 10-2 in the postseason in earning its 9th Yawkey Baseball League Championship. “This type of an award is a great recognition of the success of our team and to the city of Somerville,” said Treska. “We are honored that the rest of the YBL would vote us this award. It takes so many people to accomplish what we have and this honor is a testament to all of the players, coaches, boosters and supporters who have devoted so much time and support to help this team every season”.

Boston Dirt Dogs do their Thang on Roger

Boston Dirt Dogs always have a tendency to be bright and funny -- always on the mark. Their Blog is a must read every day for Sports fans hit them daily on The Remy Report. http://www.remyreport.com/

Click on the pics for a better look at the humor.

Roger has given his haters so much fodder these past few days. Never one to miss a pay check. Clemens proves his greeeeed and love of the green will drive him to pitch until he is on AARP!

Days Like THIS Make Sox Nation GRIN!

Mariano Rivera - the Hall of Fame Closer for the NY Yankees did IT AGAIN! He gave up a game winning homer to Adrian Beltre in the top of the 9th last night to cap off a disaster of a start during April/May for him and his dawdling team. Rivera is 1-3 thus far in '07.

The Rocket may have landed in the Bronx - BUT Rivera has laid a huge Egg thus far. Is he OLD - has he lost IT? 38 year olds have a tendency to break down and lose their flare, but this quick???

Sox sat back and gained a 1/2 game while the yanks booted the game at home against Seattle 3-2. Sox lead by 6.5 games and play tonight in Toronto. Josh Beckett brings his 6-0 record to the hill against Toronto.

Red Sox nation awoke with a nice wide smile on its face knowing that Rivera stumbled once again! Ohh - the pain --- ohhhhh the suffering!!! Teeeee heeee heeeeee....!!! This makes me feel so young and vital!!!

Rocket Lands In Bronx!

Rocket says No to SOX YES to Yanks!


In a dramatic Yamnkee Stadium moment, Roger Clemens announced to the 53,000 fans assembled that, "they dragged me out of Texas...sooo I guess I will be talking to 'yall real soon." In Roger Speak that means he is going to pitch for the Yanks in 2007. Who can deny that this desperation move on the part of the struggling Yanks is a Huge shot in the buttocks. "Jeet, n Andy, n Jason were texting me and emailing me to return... this is a huge responsibility for me...to git back n do my job." Interpretation - he felt compelled to return to a team he won two rings with and wants to help his buddies return to the World Series.

Here is a story taken from this afternoons New york Post outlining the Rockets retun to the Yankees. he says he should be ready "at the end of May or the 1st of June." Guess what boys and girls...June 1 Yankees play the Red Sox!


05/06/2007 3:40 PM ET
Clemens announces return to Yanks
By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com



NEW YORK -- Roger Clemens is a Yankee.
With those five words, displayed on Yankee Stadium's matrix screen in a surprise announcement during the seventh-inning stretch on Sunday, the 44-year-old right-hander ended all the speculation and confirmed his return to the Bronx.

The Yankees officially announced that they have signed Clemens, a seven-time Cy Young Award winner, to a Minor League contract.

Following the playing of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," public-address announcer Bob Sheppard instructed the crowd to draw its attention to the owner's box and the video screen.
The image of Clemens, holding a microphone, drew a loud ovation from the crowd at the game between the Mariners and Yankees, but his comments would soon be drowned out by an even more raucous ovation from the paid attendance of 52,553.

"It's a privilege to be back," Clemens said. "I'll be talking to you all soon."

Clemens returns to the Yankees, where he pitched from 1999 through 2003, serving as a member of two World Series championship teams in 1999 and 2000.

As a Yankee, Clemens -- who was originally acquired from the Blue Jays prior to the 1999 season in exchange for Homer Bush, Graeme Lloyd and David Wells -- compiled a record of 77-36 with a 3.99 ERA, striking out 946 batters in 157 starts.

On June 21, 2003, Clemens became the 21st pitcher in Major League history to reach the 300-win milestone, while also recording his 4,000th career strikeout in a 5-2 victory over the Cardinals.

Clemens made 19 starts for the Astros last season, posting a 7-6 record with a 2.30 ERA after signing a Minor League contract on May 31, reprising his role as the Astros' in-season acquisition after going 13-8 with a career-best 1.87 ERA in 32 starts for Houston in 2005.

Dating back to this past offseason, Clemens had declined to say if he expected to pitch at all in 2007, but he hedged his bets by saying through his representatives, Alan and Randy Hendricks, that he would consider playing for only the Yankees, Astros or Red Sox.

Clemens, who also said that he would pitch only for a team with hopes of playoff contention, will join a Yankees club that has seen its starting pitching suffer through an extended stretch of inconsistency and injuries.

Clemens' good friend, Andy Pettitte, has twice been pressed into relief action to help out a beleaguered bullpen, while Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina, Jeff Karstens, Phil Hughes and Carl Pavano have all spent time on the disabled list.

Pavano, the Yankees' Opening Day starter on April 2, is expected to be a possibility to miss the remainder of the season, which created an even more glaring void for the Rocket's liftoff to fill.
Clemens would likely need a series of Minor League appearances in order to prepare for Major League action. The future Hall of Fame right-hander is expected to be made available later in the afternoon Sunday for further comment.

Clemens ranks second all time among Major League pitchers with 172 career strikeouts in the postseason, behind only Atlanta's John Smoltz (194). He leads all active Major League pitchers in wins, strikeouts, games started (690), innings pitched (4,817 2/3), complete games (118) and shutouts (46).

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.