With his dad, a former Red Sox pitcher, at his side, Jeff Plympton Jr. coaches King Philip to first title
WORCESTER — As the final out of Friday’s Division 2 championship game sailed into King Philip first baseman Thomas Lutfy’s glove, Jeff Plympton Jr. started his celebration with an impassioned fist pump.
For the sixth-year head coach that celebration soon turned into hugs with each member of his coaching staff, including an extra-long embrace with his father, https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/plympje01.shtml, before the Warriors players reached their beloved head coach. As soon as they did, he hoisted junior Collin Hasenfus into the air in a moment of pure, shared joy.
The first state title in program history, captured with a 4-1 win over Milton in the Division 2 title game at Polar Park, meant the world to the King Philip baseball community — a group that has come agonizingly close over the last few seasons, and to their coach, a 2011 alum.
“A lot of tradition, a lot of pride,” Plympton Jr. said. “Some great coaches in the past, great players, and we’re doing it for everybody. We hope we made the tri-town happy and proud tonight.”
Over six seasons, Plympton Jr. coached KP to four state semifinals, including in each of the last two seasons. The other two came in 2022 and 2023, seasons that ended with losses in the state championship game — both to Milton.
“We finally got the monkey off his back and got one for him,” senior Leo Dowling said.
Plympton’s players have rallied around him because of his approach – Dowling emphasized how he lets them build the culture and bond while he provides leadership and structure.
Plympton Sr., a former Red Sox pitcher in his first year as an assistant on the KP staff, watched as his son quickly turned into one of the state’s top young coaches at his alma mater.
“He’s just shown me through the years that he’s an unbelievable young coach that has a different approach,” Plympton Sr. said. “That approach is relaxed, but stern — and they respect him.”
To senior Jacoby Cady, who closed the game out on the mound with the tying run at the plate, there’s nothing better than playing for “one of the best guys” he knows.
“He’d do anything for us,” Cady said. “If you called him in the middle of the night, he’d pick up his phone. He’s just an awesome guy.”
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