NEWS

North Adams, MA - The 2024 World Series saw the Los Angeles Dodgers defeat the New York Yankees in five games, clinching their eighth World Series title in franchise history. Unbeknownst to the fans, the Fall Classic featured four NECBL alumni, three from the Dodgers and one from the Yankees.

 

The Yankees, the American League East Champions during the regular season, defeated the Kansas City Royals in four games in the ALDS and took care of the Cleveland Guardians in five games in the ALCS to reach their first World Series since 2009. Featured amongst the Yankees’ talented pitching staff is NECBL alumni Jake Cousins (Penn) and Mark Leiter Jr. (NJIT), who played for the Newport Gulls in 2016 and Winnipesaukee Muskrats in 2012 respectively.

 

Cousins made three relief appearances for the Yankees in their run to the World Series, tossing 2.2 innings, allowing two runs while striking out six. In the regular season for the Yankees, Cousins made 37 appearances in relief, posting a 2-1 record with a 2.37 ERA in 38 innings pitched, striking out 53 batters.

 

Leiter Jr. appeared in five games for the Yankees this postseason, posting a stellar 1.93 ERA in 4.2 innings of work. Leiter Jr. pitched in 60 games during the regular season, posting a 4.50 ERA in 58 innings of work, striking out 86 batters.

 

On the Dodgers roster, three more Gulls took the field to help the Dodgers clinch the pennant, Tommy Edman ‘14 (Stanford), Will Smith ‘14 (Louisville) and Chris Taylor ‘10 (Virginia). Edman and Smith were key components in the Gulls’ run to the 2014 Fay Vincent Sr. Cup Championship. 

 

In the Dodgers’ six games against the Mets, Edman proved to be a valuable piece to their lineup, as he moved up to the clean-up slot in the order. That move paid off as the former Gull hit .407 across the series, driving in 11 runs and reaching base safely in all six games, driving in four runs in the clincher. Edman was named the NLCS MVP for his record-performance, tying the club record for most runs driven in a single postseason series.

 

Taylor has played in eight games for the Dodgers this postseason while Smith has played in 10 games, hitting two home runs and driving in eight runs.

Also on the Dodgers’ roster:

Evan Phillips (IL): Winnipesaukee Muskrats - UNCW

Emmet Sheehan (IL): Danbury Westerners 2019 - Boston College

 

Other NECBL Alumni in 2024 MLB Postseason

Garrett Stubbs: Philadelphia Phillies (Plymouth Pilgrims 2013 - USC)

Caleb Cotham: Philadelphia Phillies (Keene SwampBats former Pitching Coach)

Jeremy Pena: Houston Astros (Plymouth Pilgrims 2016 - Maine)

Bennett Sousa: Houston Astros (Keene SwampBats 2015-16 - Virginia)

Jake Cronenworth: San Diego Padres (Holyoke Blue Sox 2013 - Michigan)

Adam Ottavino: New York Mets (Danbury Westerners 2004 - Northeastern)

Brendan White (IL): Detroit Tigers (Danbury Westerners 2017 - Siena College)