Revere Firefighter Sam MacDonald Leads Woburn Nationals to League Title
The 48-year-old third baseman hit .742 in the inaugural 45-plus division, capped by a three-run home run in the final playoff game.
By Thomas Obasi ·
Sam MacDonald won the Boston Metro Baseball League championship for the Woburn Nationals in November 2026. The Revere Fire Department member secured the title with a 13-8 victory over the South Shore Giants in Game 3 of the playoff series. MacDonald, who plays third base and left field, delivered a three-run opposite field home run in the third inning to fuel the comeback.
MacDonald finished the regular season with a .742 batting average in the inaugural Veterans 45-Plus Division. He led the league in six offensive categories, recording 22 runs batted in and 10 doubles across 12 games. His performance extended into the postseason, where he continued to dominate at the plate. The Giants' coaching staff opted to draw walks in his final at-bats, signaling their difficulty in stopping his production.
The 48-year-old player, who stands 6 feet tall and weighs 190 pounds, attributes his success to the team's collective effort. "It feels unbelievable to win a championship, it's a mission accomplished," MacDonald said. He highlighted his connection to teammate Michael Hinojosa, the Revere Parks and Recreation director who played shortstop. MacDonald noted that Hinojosa was an umpire when MacDonald played Little League at McMackin Park in Revere. "I always kind of idolized him a little bit," MacDonald recalled.
Coaches and teammates praised MacDonald's consistent performance throughout the summer. Todd Cotton, the Woburn Nationals manager, described the season as "awesome." "Sam MacDonald's season will never be duplicated," Cotton said. Cotton noted that MacDonald's home run in Game 3 ignited the team. Teammate Steve Walsh agreed, stating that MacDonald had the best season in any division. "To hit .742 for the year was amazing," Walsh said. John Forbes of East Boston added that MacDonald's batting average was "crazy."
MacDonald has served with the Revere Fire Department for 14 years. He returned to baseball after a long period of playing softball. "Getting back into baseball was one of the best moves I've made," MacDonald said. He grew up playing in the St. Mary's League and Revere Little League at McMackin Park. He played on successful teams in the 1990s under coach Al Blasi and attended North Shore Community College. The park where he started his career was reopened as a new field in September 2026.
MacDonald plans to return to the Woburn Nationals in 2027. He expressed excitement about the upcoming season and the group of players who love the game. "I'm looking forward to next summer already," MacDonald said. The Woburn Nationals finished the 2026 season as league champions, with MacDonald leading the team in offensive statistics.
