The award’s inaugural recipient, former Northeastern University outfielder Todd Korchin, began the tradition by playing in 2010’s game. Korchin, who played in the Oldtime Baseball Game from 1997 to 2001, represented the Montalbano family in presenting the 2011 award to Steve Langone.
The award is named in memory of Greg Montalbano, a former Red Sox minor-league pitcher who was only 31 when he died of cancer in 2009. A native of Westborough and later a standout at Northeastern University, Montalbano was a participant in the Oldtime Baseball Game in 1997 and ’98. Drafted by the Red Sox in the fifth round of the 1999 amateur draft, Montalbano played six seasons of professional baseball before illness ended his career. In 2001, he was named Minor League Pitcher of the Year by the Red Sox.
The award, instituted in 2010, is presented to a former participant in the Oldtime Baseball Game who best exemplifies Greg’s spirit, competiveness and good nature.