THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, July 17, 2026 Page 13 SPORTS | FROM PAGE 11 Popp worked the count to 2-1 and then on then next pitch turned on a Souza offering and drove it on a rising liner that never came down until it has cleared the left field fence for a classic, two-out, game-winning home run. As the Revere team mobbed Popp in celebration at the plate in the eventual 4-3 win, everyone knew they had just seen history made. The postgame handshake was genuine. Two rival teams full of GBL baseball stars wished each other “good game” on a spirited day of top-shelf competition. For Revere it was Head Coach Al Blasi, Mike Spinelli, David Lightbody, Mike Popp, Dennis Diaz, Frank Candela, Brian Spagnoulo and others. Malden featured Kevin McGlinchy, Joe Souza, Rich Griffin, Ronnie Repoza, D.J. Cunningham and others. After the game the scouts wanted to talk with both of the two primetime pitchers. Many of them had already sat at Spinelli’s kitchen table talking about the upcoming draft. UMiami Hurricanes pitching coach — and future LSU and Florida International University Baseball Head Coach — “Turtle” Thomas had already offered Spinelli a full baseball scholarship to come to Coral Gables. After this game, he wanted to know McGlinchy’s future plans. As fate would have it, Coach Thomas that day ended up getting McGlinchy’s contact info and passed it on to a former Hurricane lefty who happened to be the pitching coach for the College of Central Florida Patriots. The CCF Patriots ended up recruiting and signing McGlinchy for the next school year after the Malden star declined to sign with the Atlanta Braves six weeks later. Three GBL players selected in the 1995 draft In the draft on June 1, a lot of local dreams came true as Revere’s Mike Spinelli was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the fourth round — the 102nd player selected — and ended up signing for $325,000. In the next round, two more GBL players were selected, the most in any MLB draft ever, three total, when Peabody High catcher Steve Lomasney was picked in the fifth round at number 130 overall by the Boston Red Sox. Then Malden history was made when Kevin McGlinchy was selected by the Atlanta Braves with the 141st pick in the fifth round. Lomasney signed with the Sox and began his professional career, along with Spinelli, while McGlinchy went the “draft-andfollow” route, opting to forgo the Braves’ last offer, attend college for one year and then ultimately sign for $425,000 in June 1996. He would go on to a fiveyear career with the Braves, including a National League pennant 1999 and two appearances in the 1999 World Series against the Yankees. But on that fateful April day in 1995, all the seeds were sown when the best game ever played in the Greater Boston League made history. Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma FURNISHED ROOM FOR RENT EVERETT APARTMENTS FOR RENT www.mastrocola.com American Exterior and Window Corporation Contact us for all of your home improvement projects and necessities. Call Jeff or Bob Toll Free: 1-888-744-1756 1 bedroom, 1 bath furnished room for rent. $275. per week rent. Two week deposit plus 1 week rent required. Call: 617-435-9047 - NO TEXT The Kid Does Clean Outs From 1 item to 1,000 * Basements * Homes * Backyards * Commercial Buildings The cheapest prices around! Call Eric: (857) 322-2854 617-699-1782 / www.americanexteriorma.com Windows, Siding, Roofing, Carpentry & More! All estimates, consultations or inspections completed by MA licensed supervisors. *Over 50 years experience. *Better Business Bureau Membership. Insured and Registered Complete Financing Available. No Money Down. BUDGET SERVICES RUBBISH REMOVAL * Interior-Exterior Demolition Bathroom/Kitchen/Decks, Etc. * All Types of Debris Removed * Pick-up Truck Load of Trash starting at $239. ~ Licensed & Insured ~ Call (978) 494-3443 Clean-Outs! We take and dispose from cellars, attics, garages, yards, etc. Call Robert at: 781-844-0472 Steps Stoops Rebuilt or Repaired Chimney Rebuilt or Repaired House Foundation Leaks Repaired All Basement Repairs Walkways, Driveways & Patios Installed Chimney Inspection Roofing & Siding Installed Masonry Repairs Window Installation & Repairs Carpentry & Waterproofing 617-955-5164 toughbuildmasonryandconstuction.com toughbuildjohn@gmail.com Advocate Call now! 617-387-2200 advertise on the web at www.advocatenews.net Classifieds
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