Last week, Craig Breslow was introduced to fans as the new Chief Baseball Officer of the Boston Red Sox. It was a return to New England for the pitcher-turned-executive, who spent two stints calling Fenway Park home and won World Series titles in 2007 and 2013.

It also marks Breslow’s return to the region where his baseball career began, including a stint in the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL). Breslow played on the 1999 Middletown Giants team, and in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U-8qa6B-vU2013 was selected to the NECBL Hall of Fame.

Breslow, a native of Trumbull, Connecticut, stayed close to home to attend Yale University, whose baseball team he captained while earning a double major in molecular biophysics and biochemistry. The summer after his freshman year, he joined the Giants and posted a 3.20 ERA in 10 appearances with five victories and 51 strikeouts.

“I certainly credit my time in the NECBL with the confidence that I could compete with and succeed against some of the most talented players from throughout the country,” Breslow said during his Hall of Fame address. “Having grown up in the Northeast and attended college in the Northeast, I wasn’t necessarily exposed to the best talent. That summer of 1999, I realized that my skill set compared favorably to those around the country.” 

Drafted in the 26th round of the 2002 MLB draft by the Milwaukee Brewers, Breslow made his Major League debut on July 23, 2005, becoming the 17th NECBL alum to make it to the show. That number is now over 230. Breslow pitched for 12 seasons in Major League Baseball, and also appeared on Team Israel at the 2017 World Baseball Classic. He was nominated three times for the Roberto Clemente Award for his Strike 3 Foundation, which has raised over $2 million for pediatric cancer. 

For the past four years, Breslow has been in the front office of the Chicago Cubs, working with Theo Epstein in a variety of roles. 

"I couldn't be more excited to return to the Boston Red Sox, an organization that means so much to my family and to me," Breslow said in a statement. "I know firsthand how special winning in Boston is, and I look forward to once again experiencing that passion and success with our fans."