Intercity League champion Lexington Blue Sox pray for stricken teammate

The following story appeared in the Boston Globe on August 28.

By Marvin Pave GLOBE CORRESPONDENT  AUGUST 28, 2016

The Lexington Blue Sox captured their second straight Intercity League baseball title on Tuesday night with a 5-4 victory over Andre Chiefs at Morelli Field in Melrose.

But their celebration was subdued, their thoughts quickly turning to prayers for their stricken teammate, Dave Ahern.

A 28-year-old outfielder/pitcher who starred at Bedford High and then Babson College, Ahern has been treated at Tufts Medical Center since going into cardiac arrest last Thursday.

According to his family and Blue Sox manager Rick DeAngelis, Ahern had not regained consciousness since last week. He had suited up for the Blue Sox in the quarterfinals and semifinals of the Intercity League playoffs.

His No. 41 uniform was displayed in the Blue Sox dugout and also delivered to his hospital room where family, friends and teammates – past and present — have congregated.

Blue Sox players also wore navy blue AHERN 41 t-shirts under their game uniforms and ‘DA’ decals on their helmets and caps as they swept the three-game series against the Chiefs.

 

“Dave started playing for us in 2012 and right away became a major contributor, a team leader and a mentor to our younger players,’’ said DeAngelis.
“We rallied around Dave Ahern and his family this past week because he is a special young man and a tremendous human being.’’

A post on the team’s Facebook page said: “Dave, we took pressure off the game and put things in perspective. We all love you, we’re praying for you to make a full recovery . . . your contributions to our championship are immeasurable.’’

Another Facebook posting, by Ahern’s sister, Rachael, said, in part, “your prayers are appreciated. We are all holding David close to our hearts.’’

Last Thursday, before he was stricken at his home, Ahern went to the Granite Links Golf Club to sharpen up for a tournament the following day benefitting the Babson baseball program. He works fulltime as a sales manager.

As a Babson senior, he hit .438 while compiling a 5-2 record on the mound with a 1.19 earned run aveage. He broke or tied nine of the program’s game, season or career records. He was Babson’s Male Athlete of the Year for the senior class.

“He’s the best player I’ve ever had at Babson,’’ said Matt Noone, who has coached at the Wellesley school for 15 seasons.

“Dave has a larger than life personality and he was the guy our team looked to for strength. He was our rock. We’re all hoping and praying that Dave’s strength leads to his recovery.’’

To help defray Ahern’s medical bills, student loans, and rent, his friends have set up GoFundMe page, www.gofundme.com/DaveNeedsUs.

Marvin Pave can be reached at marvin.pave@rcn.com