The Sinker and the Sniper

Prior to July 14, the last time Eamonn McDonough threw a pitch in the Yawkey League was the last time we were this upset with Manny Ramirez. On August 5, 2006, McDonough, the Medford Maddogs' ace at the time, pitched against the Revere Rockies and was hit hard, allowing five runs on 14 hits over seven innings. He absorbed that 5-2 loss and the 14 hits he allowed (a career-high through two-plus seasons) and said goodbye to his Maddog teammates and the Yawkey League for 23 months.

Then, during the second week of June, 2008, Maddogs head coach Dave Henley received a phone call from his 6-foot-7 pitcher. Still in Iraq, Army Sergeant Eamonn Mcdonough had a question for his coach. The answer was easy for Henley.

"He called us [the Maddogs] about a month before he was coming back and said 'what are the chances of me pitching when I get back there?'" Henley recalls. "I said 'hah, just come to the game. I'll have a uniform ready for you."



On July 14, in his first game back on the mound in almost two years, the Maddogs' missing ace was rusty, not his usual formidable self. In a case of ultimate irony, McDonough allowed 14 hits, which led to 11 Savin Hill runs, eight of which were earned. The good news, though, for McDonough, Henley and the rest of the Maddogs, was that they won the game and their other ace was back.

For the time being, anyway.

Eamonn, prior to the game on the 14th, had been through the U.S. Army's basic training and gone to Iraq as a Military Police officer. He was part of a team of body guards and was given the responsibility of protecting a Sergeant General in the middle of an unpredictable and unstable Baghdad city. "He's been hit with shrapnel," says Henley, also McDonough's friend of six years. "You know, not bad, but he's been shot at [too], and he's shot back."


Like many soldiers returning from overseas deployments, McDonough needed something to get his mind off, something to fill the void. Baseball was at the forefront for him, the same way it was for Yawkey League veteran Chris Deane 16 years ago.



Deane, currently a member of the Malden Bulldogs, spent a year between Somalia and Iraq as a U.S. Marine in 1992 after the battle of Mogadishu in Somalia. When he got home, he only had two things on his mind: His family, and baseball. "For me," he says, "I [wanted] to see my family and play some ball.

"It was awesome to come home and not have to worry about anything. You go to baseball and that's all you think about."

Although McDonough's stay back home was short -- only two weeks -- he managed to pitch in five games for the Maddogs, a team that has as legitimate a shot as any other at knocking off perennial powerhouse Somerville. He finished his 2008 stint with the Maddogs with a 2-0 record, one save and a 4.20 ERA in 15 innings pitched. Those numbers don't portray just how good Eamonn was before he joined the army.

Starting in 2004, when Medford first entered the Yawkey League, the rotation consisted mainly of McDonough and Sean Gildea, who is currently one of the front-runners for this season's Cy Young award. Henley says it was between him and Gildea as to who the ace was. In 2004, McDonough had more innings pitched (72.2), more strikeouts (76) and a lower ERA (1.44) than Gildea. In 2005, Eamonn matched 2004's win total of seven games while his ERA dropped to 1.36.

Back then, Deane says, the battle for ace status was fierce. "He [Eamonn] was always Medford's number-one and Gildea hated that. He was the number-one guy, he was the go-to guy, so if he's a number-one with [Gildea there ...] then that says something about him.

"He's definitely a very good to great pitcher in this league."

What makes McDonough special in Henley's eyes, and in his former teammates' eyes, is his unselfishness and his great attitude at all times. "He's the perfect teammate," says Henley. "Whatever you ask him to do, he'll do it. He never gets upset.

"You could make 42 errors behind him and he wouldn't open his mouth. He'll say 'gimme the ball, we'll get him next time.' He never, ever complains."

Henley adds that "the kids love playing behind him" because he works quick and throws a lot of ground balls due to a three-quarters delivery that produces a high-quality sinker.


"They'd just like to see him come back [from Iraq]."

The odd thing is, says Henley, is that he wants to go back to Iraq. Eamonn wanted to go back so badly that he re-upped his service time. "He had six more months of a tour and he already extended it an additional six months," Henley explains. "He would obviously much rather stay here, but he knows he can't."


Luckily for McDonough though, there's a chance to play softball while he's back in Iraq for another year.



It'll be as close to baseball as he can get for now.

Hey Blue, You Blew it!

If Yawkey League umpires were as good as MLB umpires, then they wouldn't be in the Yawkey League, they'd be at Fenway, Wrigley or Petco Park doing games there.

I know the umpires in this league can be frustrating and they leave something to be desired, but you have to play the hand you're dealt. It sucks at the time, I know. We've all been through it at one time or another, but just keep your chin up and play the game hard, whether the calls are for you or against you, and whether your record is 22-4 or 5-18.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your disposition), baseball doesn't reward pouting, yelling, cussing, screaming, bantering, throwing bases or calling an umpire something that would have had a bar of soap in your mouth when you were a child.

Just like the prevailing majority of us baseball players, umpires are no where near perfect and can be inconsistent at times, make mistakes and even look foolish.

Give them a break, because in the end, it all evens its self out.

Comin' Out Swingin'

Two teams with histories that couldn't be any different. One team with a storied history, one trying to make its own.

Somerville wrote the YBL book on winning championships, while Malden is looking for their own chapter. Only their second season in the Yawkey League, the Bulldogs have put a strangle hold on the number one seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs thanks to their 22-3-1 record. Somerville, plagued by rain outs and wash outs, has played only 20 games. The Alibrandis, their 13-7 record in hand, would like to improve their playoff standing -- sixth place as of July 22 -- before the season's end. Of course home-field is important, but Somerville's season doesn't start until the field has been trimmed to eight.

Teams like Malden and Somerville, no matter how different they may be in terms of league history and tenure, amount of playoff appearances, uniform color or managerial philosophies, they will always have one constant and one distinct trait in common.

They play to win in the post-season, not to make it there.

Before any games were even played in 2008, Somerville's ticket to the playoffs was punched. They were a given. A lock. A no-brainer. Then Malden flexed and, after about two weeks, the Bulldogs' ticket seemed punched as well.

One team with all the experience imaginable, the other with none at all. But they both set it up the same way. Or that's the way I see it anyways.

Let's look at Somerville first, since they are defending champions. Steve Szathmary and Jon Morse have all but carried Somerville's pitching staff through their first 20, the two of them combining to start 15 of those 20 games. Sprinkle in a little bit of Jared Leiderman and that's been Somerville's staff so far.

That's weird, a name seems to be missing . . . a very familiar one . . .

DesRoches is it? Mark DesRoches? Yes yes, that's the one.

Over the last two regular seasons, "Doc" has thrown 86.2 innings in the regular season and 38 in the playoffs. Seems like a lot of innings for a guy in his early 30's, but a 5-0 mark and a 0.96 ERA over six games in the last two post-seasons says it all for me. This guy knows when to turn it on.

Now, let's cut those regular season innings waaaayyyyyy back. Like, all the way back to 2 IP through 20 games played. What would you have? Well, you'd have a big-game pitcher with experience AND a fresh arm in the playoffs.

What a marvelous idea.

A dark horse/wild card for Somerville may be Steve Durant, a stud pitcher from Suffolk University who got wrangled away from Medford after one start this season presumably because of his relationship with Somerville head coach Mike Powers. If Durant can become playoff eligible, there's a good chance his 3.42 ERA, 72 K's in 73.2 IP and no-hitter against Rivier College as a Suffolk Ram would translate almost seamlessly into YBL success.

With Liederman mixed in, look for Somerville to slowly work DesRoches back into prime pitching form so he's ready for the playoff run, but plenty fresh to be the workhorse he's been in years prior.

Kevin McGovern, Malden's head coach and pitching coach, has been masterful this season at managing his pitching staff, making sure not to over work any one pitcher while keeping all arms fresher than a Cod fillet in Gloucester.

Their stud, Adam Del Rio, the favorite to win the YBL Cy Young, has thrown more than six innings only once this season. His 38.2 innings aren't even top-15 in the league, yet his strikeouts (51) are eighth. That speaks volumes about his effectiveness and his coach's staff management and foresight.

Lenny Carter, a former Nashua Pride pitcher has not pitched since June 19 because of a shoulder injury but the injury may be a blessing in disguise. If Carter, who had 32 K's in 18 IP before getting injured, can come back fully healthy and ready for the playoffs, it will be almost like the DesRoches situation down the road in Somerville. Carter is top-of-the-line, as good as it gets in terms of YBL starting pitching when healthy.

The one question mark for Malden may be closer Jay Wisner, who has pitched in more games this season (20) than in either 2006 (12) or 2007 (16). At 30 years old and not getting any younger, can his arm hold up for a playoff run too? The positive for Malden is that the hard-throwing righty has regained control, bringing his walk numbers way down from 06' and 07'. Maybe the innings are higher, but the pitch counts should be lower. 400hitter doesn't have a pitch counter.

Obviously, all teams don't have this luxury. Many of the pitchers atop the innings pitched leader board are on teams in contention, but not locks to make the playoffs.

The major difference between these mid-level teams and Somerville and Malden is that they're striving for the playoffs, while the Alibrandis and the Bulldogs are yearning for playoff supremacy.



Pitcher of the Week, 7/14 - 7/20




If you recognize this name, sorry in advance but filthy is as filthy does around here. The Donkey, Adam Del Rio once again has roped his fingers around a Pitcher of the Week award, this time for his five-inning show against the Brookline Dodgers. It probably looked like Del Rio was toying with the team with the most strikeouts (205) in the Yawkey League and the fifth-worst team batting average.

Del Rio was masterful in this game, dealing for five innings, giving up only one hit while striking out 10 and walking three. The Bulldogs won the game, 3-0, and Del Rio won his seventh game in as many starts.

A few numbers for you: This was Donkey's fourth double-digit strikeout game of the season; He now has a 51:8 K:BB ratio, which may be illegal is 17 of 50 states; It's the second time this season Del Rio has played to the tune of five innings, one hit and 10 K's.

If you stretch the numbers out, this season is reminiscent of Pedro Martinez' glory days with the Red Sox in 2000/2001. Down right filthy.



Hitter of the Week, 7/14 - 7/20



East Boston All-Star Chris Santosuosso was like a hungry wolf amongst a flock of stray sheep last week, as he and his team feasted on some of the weaker pitching staffs the Yawkey League had to offer. In games last week against three of the six worst pitching staffs in the league (Chelsea, Cambridge and Brookline), the Bluefish outfielder went haywire.

In 14 at-bats over a four game span, Santosuosso collected eight hits including a grand slam and two doubles. He finished the week with 11 RBIs and four runs scored. The Bluefish went four for four as a team, including a win over the Stewert Division leading Brighton Brewers.


As the season plays out, the cream always rises to the top.

Excuse me, Somerville? I Believe Someone is Knocking on your Door...

What if Somerville didn't win the Championship this year?

What if the Malden Bulldogs weren't trying to surmount Somerville as cockiest team in the YBL?

I saw "it" when the McKay Club faced those Bulldogs last week. That "it" is cockiness. I saw it before the game started when Malden did their full infield/outfield routine. I saw it on their bench, on their players' faces during the game. I heard it in their voices.

They're ready to climb the great Mt. Alibrandi and compete against the most formidable opponent in Yawkey League history. And it doesn't scare them one bit.

Set aside the playoff experience that Somerville has, and their ability to "flip the switch," much like the Detroit Pistons teams of the early 2000's, and Malden is in prime position to knock off the champs from the birthplace of Fluff.

The confidence/cockiness that I had seen in previous years from only Somerville has now made its way farther north into Malden. The Bulldogs are damn good, and they know it. Their swagger this season is unmatched and that's what gives them the legitimate chance at winning it all. Oh, yeah, the pitching staff of Lenny Carter, Adam Del Rio, Evan Tardungo, Mike Steele and Jay Wisner has a bit to do with that too.

With those five arms shouldering the load, Malden's team ERA (1.11), strikeouts (183) and WHIP (1.060) are best in the league and their offense (third in batting, first in runs scored) and defense (best fielding percentage) aren't too shabby either.

It's quite possible that Somerville and Malden could meet in the YBL Championship. Then we would see what wins: the desire to stay atop or the desire to conquer.



Weekly Awards

Mother Nature has once again thrown a monkey wrench into the Yawkey League schedule, as her rain, lightning, thunder, wind and all around meteorlogical tomfoolery have limited the weekly schedule of games. Luckily enough, Sean Gildea was able to stick it in her craw and beat the Brookline Dodgers between thunder cells.

Gildea, the 2006 YBL Cy Young award winner, dazzled on this summer afternoon, fanning 10, allowing five hits and walking only three en route to his second shutout win of the season, a 7-0 decision. In his first start of 2008, the Colby-Sawyer College product shutout West Roxbury, while striking out seven.

His season numbers for a good Medford team are what you'd expect from a pitcher of Gildea's caliber: a 5-2 record, fewer hits than innings pitched, more strikeouts than innings pitched and a K:BB ratio of almost 4:1. His 0.64 ERA is second in the league, his five wins are a tie for first and his 48 punchados are third best, tied with teammate Talal Saleh.

Needless to say, just another notch in a great pitcher's belt of success.

yup, just another complete game shutout. Yawn...



This will be the only week (hopefully) that an offensive player wins Hitter of the Week with only one game played. Jason Recore, batting in the 2-hole for the East Boston Bluefish last week, helped open up the flood gates against the Brighton Braves.

The Blackstone native and Eckerd College alum had a game for himself, going 3-for-4 with a double, four RBIs and two runs scored to lead his team to an 11-4 win. The way Recore is swinging this season (.356 BA, 7 RBI in 16 G) is very reminiscent of his 2007 season at Eckerd College (FL) when he hit .307 for the Tritons with 9 doubles and 9 steals.

A lead-off hitter at Eckerd, the 5-foot-9 175-pound second baseman has been hitting in the 2-hole or in front of the clean-up hitter in East Boston's line up this season. His ability to get on-base (.418 OBP) ahead of the Eastie's boppers has been a welcome addition to the Bluefish's order.

With the Fourth of July fast-approaching, not too sure about a report for next week. It's the mid-way point of the Yawkey League's season, so look for my All-Star Break awards next week in place of the regular awards.

Have plenty of fun and take part in drunken debauchery, just don't end up like this guy.