Steve Lomasney
Encyclopedia
Steve Lomasney was in the late 1990s a highly-regarded catching prospect for the Boston Red Sox
. During his career, he batted and threw right-handed, stood 6 feet tall, and weighed 195 pounds.
He starred for Peabody High School
in Peabody, MA
in both baseball and football. He became a local hero when he caught for the Peabody High School baseball team that won the Greater Boston League Championship as well quarterbacking (and playing defensive end for) two Massachusetts Super Bowl teams. He was named the MVP
of the Greater Boston League, Player of the Year, and a member of All-Scholastic teams in football and baseball.
After being drafted by Boston in the 5th round of the 1995 amateur draft
, he signed with the Red Sox on June 29, 1995. He instantly became a rising star in the system (and given his roots, a much-hoped-for future Fenway
favorite), peaking with his being named Minor League Player of the Year for Boston's Class A affiliate in Sarasota. However, a series of injuries derailed his career from that point forward.
His major league career consisted of a single game at Baltimore on October 3, 1999 (the final regular-season game of the century for the Red Sox), in which he came into the game as a defensive replacement for Jason Varitek
in the bottom of the fifth inning. He batted twice, striking out both times, and was replaced by Scott Hatteberg
in the 10th inning in a game the Red Sox went on to win in the 10th, 1-0.
Lomasney suffered a serious eye injury when hit with a batted ball while with the Pawtucket Red Sox
late in , and his eyesight never fully recovered. This continued a somewhat morbid "Route 1A Curse" that has haunted the Red Sox over the past 50-plus years, in which popular local player who grew up close to Fenway in the Massachusetts' North Shore (north of Boston) had tragic ends or derailments in their careers (other prominent players in this category include Tony Conigliaro
and Harry Agganis
). He remained in the Red Sox organization until , when he was granted free agency. He moved through the farm systems of Baltimore, Cincinnati, and Minnesota, before being released by the Twins on August 3, .
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. During his career, he batted and threw right-handed, stood 6 feet tall, and weighed 195 pounds.
He starred for Peabody High School
Peabody High School
Peabody High School is a public school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, in the neighborhood of East Liberty, The school opened in 1911 after the renovations of a former elementary school and was rededicated after Highland Park doctor Benjamin Peabody. After 100 years in operation the school...
in Peabody, MA
Peabody, Massachusetts
Peabody is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population is about 53,000. Peabody is located in Boston's North Shore suburban area.- History :...
in both baseball and football. He became a local hero when he caught for the Peabody High School baseball team that won the Greater Boston League Championship as well quarterbacking (and playing defensive end for) two Massachusetts Super Bowl teams. He was named the MVP
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
of the Greater Boston League, Player of the Year, and a member of All-Scholastic teams in football and baseball.
After being drafted by Boston in the 5th round of the 1995 amateur draft
1995 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1995 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign-Background:Outfielder Darin Erstad of the University of Nebraska was the first pick in the 1995 Rule 4 Draft. Erstad compiled a career .356 average in three seasons with the...
, he signed with the Red Sox on June 29, 1995. He instantly became a rising star in the system (and given his roots, a much-hoped-for future Fenway
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
favorite), peaking with his being named Minor League Player of the Year for Boston's Class A affiliate in Sarasota. However, a series of injuries derailed his career from that point forward.
His major league career consisted of a single game at Baltimore on October 3, 1999 (the final regular-season game of the century for the Red Sox), in which he came into the game as a defensive replacement for Jason Varitek
Jason Varitek
Jason Andrew Varitek is an American professional baseball catcher who is a free agent. After being traded as a minor league prospect by the Seattle Mariners, Varitek has played his entire major league career for the Boston Red Sox...
in the bottom of the fifth inning. He batted twice, striking out both times, and was replaced by Scott Hatteberg
Scott Hatteberg
Scott Allen Hatteberg is a former American Major League Baseball first baseman and catcher.- Early life :...
in the 10th inning in a game the Red Sox went on to win in the 10th, 1-0.
Lomasney suffered a serious eye injury when hit with a batted ball while with the Pawtucket Red Sox
Pawtucket Red Sox
The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...
late in , and his eyesight never fully recovered. This continued a somewhat morbid "Route 1A Curse" that has haunted the Red Sox over the past 50-plus years, in which popular local player who grew up close to Fenway in the Massachusetts' North Shore (north of Boston) had tragic ends or derailments in their careers (other prominent players in this category include Tony Conigliaro
Tony Conigliaro
Anthony Richard Conigliaro , nicknamed "Tony C" and "Conig", was a Major League Baseball outfielder and right-handed batter who played for the Boston Red Sox and California Angels . He was born in Revere, Massachusetts, and was a 1962 graduate of St. Mary's High School...
and Harry Agganis
Harry Agganis
Aristotle George Agganis ' , nicknamed "The Golden Greek", was an American athletic star in two sports. His family origins were from Longanikos near Sparta, Greece. -Career:...
). He remained in the Red Sox organization until , when he was granted free agency. He moved through the farm systems of Baltimore, Cincinnati, and Minnesota, before being released by the Twins on August 3, .