On Tuesday, June 24, among dozens of transactions involving players moving around Minor League Baseball, two stood out for fans from Westfield. The Toronto Blue Jays moved a pair of players up from the High-A Vancouver Canadians to the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats: former Westfield Starfires Pat Gallagher and Jackson Hornung.
The timing of the move could not have been better for the Massachusetts natives, as the Fisher Cats were preparing for a six-game series against the Hartford Yard Goats that was slated to begin that night.
The ultimate goal for the duo is to reach Toronto – to earn a Major League call-up to the Blue Jays. Playing for the team’s AA affiliate is a necessary step in that journey, and both acknowledged the significant role their time in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League at Bullens Field has played in their journey.
Gallagher was heading into his first year of collegiate baseball at the University of Connecticut in 2019 when he signed up to play in Westfield, and across two seasons posted a 3-0 record in 35 innings, where 12 of his 15 appearances came in relief.
“I was just a young high school kid going into my first year of college my first year in Westfield so I gained a lot of experience playing with older guys…it was a big learning experience and a big maturing step for me to the next phase of my career,” Gallagher said.
Hornung was at Skidmore University when he came to the Whip City in 2022, and put together an MVP-caliber season, hitting .363 and smashing a then-franchise-record nine home runs.
A late-season injury seemed to cut things short for him, but in the bottom of the ninth of Westfield’s home finale, with the team down three and needing a win to qualify for the postseason, Hornung came to the plate and delivered Bullens Magic, with a three-run double to tie the contest that Westfield ultimately won to make its first-ever FCBL Playoff appearance.
“It was an unreal experience. Getting to play baseball pretty much every day of the summer gets you that first pro ball vibe and a feel for what you’re getting yourself into. I learned a lot for my baseball career that season hitting-wise and fielding-wise, but also getting to meet a lot of great guys that I’m still friends with now and close with to this day,” Hornung said.
The pair have already made an impact with the Fisher Cats. Hornung has started all four games so far, and in 16 at-bats he has eight hits, including a double in his debut on June 24 and his first AA-level home run two nights later. Gallagher made his pitching debut on Wednesday, June 25, throwing an inning in New Hampshire’s 2-1 win.
Though they did not play together in Westfield, the shared experience is a key part of the bond between them.
“It’s awesome. We work out together all off-season and we’re really close. Being two Massachusetts guys, getting to move up together made the travel really easy…getting to play with him on this field…it’s been an awesome experience for both of us,” Hornung said.
Gallagher added “We got called up the same day, so that was awesome…we were able to talk about the old times, getting to see family, getting to play in front of family…it’s been amazing to experience with him.”
As they stand two steps away from the ultimate dream of a Major League debut, both fondly reflected on what the Whip City meant to them.
“It’s been a privilege to play in front of you guys in the past, and hopefully you all can catch a game soon,” Gallagher said.
Hornung put it simplest: “Keep bringing that Bullens Magic!”
