08/19/2026
Boston Red Sox player Mickey Gasper '18 is making the most of his latest stint in the major leagues, slugging two home runs since being called up from the AAA Worcester Red Sox this week to replace the injured Masataka Yoshida.
It's a surprising power outburst from the Bryant Bulldogs alum, who previously had hit only two homers in 92 major league games. But Gasper has proven to be a valuable player for the Red Sox both at the plate and in the field, where he has played catcher and first base as well as appearing as a designated hitter.
Along with pitcher James Karinchak ‘17 of the Atlanta Braves and Ryan Ward ’19 of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Gasper is one of three former Bulldogs now playing in the major leagues. The three were teammates on the 2017 Bryant baseball team.
"It's a special feeling to be up here and represent Bryant and have two of my brothers doing that as well — it's a blessing,” Gasper says.
That 2017 team was coached by Bryant Athletics Hall of Famer Stephen Owens, who Gasper credited for his ability to develop big-league talent.
"Coach Owens and the staff at Bryant, prepared us to be professionals in the workplace or on the ball field," says Gasper. "He expected greatness out of us."
The major leaguer also had high praise for Bill Conaty '67, a longtime booster of Bryant baseball who, along with his wife, Sue, led the campaign to finance the Bulldogs' baseball facility that now bears his name -- Conaty Park.
"Bill cares for Bryant with his whole heart, and he built the infrastructure there to give us a chance to succeed as baseball players, to be elite, and to be able to pursue our dreams," says Gasper.
To learn more about Gasper, Ward, and Karinchak and their journey to the big leagues, look for their story in the upcoming edition of the Bryant magazine!
