THE 2010 SEASON
In 2010, the Al Thomas Club overcame some early struggles to capture the Tarpey Division crown and earn a #3 seed in the playoffs. After a solid 3-games-to-one victory in the quarterfinals against South Boston, the A's saw their 2-games-to-one lead against the defending champions, West Roxbury, disappear as they fell in five games.
In winning its fourth division title in five years, the 2010 Al Thomas Club experienced the emergence of a number of young players poised to lead the team to greater things in the near future. Third-year centerfielder Steve Lambert proved that hard work does pay off as he picked his game up several levels to earn the Yawkey League MVP award. Lambo led the league in hitting, hits, triples, on base percentage and slugging, while finishing second in stolen bases and home runs and in the top five in runs, doubles and rbi. He also played a sensational center field and amassed 13 assists, earning himself a Gold Glove award.
James Katsiroubas was right up there with Lambert in many offensive categories, finishing second in batting with a .447 clip, first in stolen bases and second in doubles, runs and walks. "Katzy" also won a Gold Glove at third base. John Kostas batted a career-high .363, while throwing some mean leather at short, and Peder von Harten earned All-Rookie honors with a .333 freshman year. Chris McDonough boasted a .320 average while playing a solid outfield and first base. Mitch Monke was given a chance to swing the bat and responded with a .389 average in limited duty. Brendan Wheeler overcame a slow start (due to the need for glasses) and crushed the ball in the second have to wind up at .354 and in the top ten in doubles, triples and rbi. He, along with Lambert and Katsiroubas, won Silver Slugger awards at their respective positions.
Ryan Stoller followed up an all star 2009 season by leading the YBL in wins in 2010 with a perfect 8-0 mark and a sizzling 1.20 era and a second-place finish in the Cy Young voting. Mitch Monke jumped into the rotation and went 3-1 with a stingy 1.40 era. Veteran Will Clang joined the staff and was second in wins with 4 to go with a 2.86 era. Southpaw Chris McDonough was 2-0 with two shutouts before elbow trouble shut him down for the year.
The A's have missed the playoffs just twice in the last 21 years and have never recorded a season under .500 in the Yawkey League. The Thomas Club was fortunate enough to send 42 players to Fenway Park as All Star representatives over the years. This past year, Steve Lambert and Ryan Stoller were selected to the YBL all star team that played the U.S. Military all star team at Jim Rice Field in Boston's South End.