Tommy Toal holds the 2016 PAISAA Baseball Championship Plaque. (from left to right) Dave Hogarth, James McConnon, Tommy Toal and Ben Tracy – photo courtesy of Michael Nance
HAVERFORD, PA - Monica Toal was asked to describe her oldest son, Tommy, a senior standout athlete at Haverford School.
It took about three minutes to comprise flawless prose via text.
“He's been an overachiever his whole life,” she said. “He looks out for others all the time. He always looks at the positive in everything. He is always up for a challenge. He'll never back down.
“His character and integrity define him. He’s a courageous leader and a role model. He looks for the best in everyone. He is a moral compass and a voice of reason in school and on the field. We are so proud of him.”
Then, 15 minutes later, Momma Toal shared a vivid memory involving Tommy and her husband, Rich, during a family vacation on the 2nd Street beach in Wildwood, NJ.
“True story,” she said. “Tommy and Rich are having a catch. Tommy is about six years old. Some random man comes up to me and says, ‘Is that your son catching those balls?’ I say, ‘Yes,’ because I've seen him do it a million times. The guy was fascinated. He kept asking, ‘What’s his name, Tommy Pole?’ I kept saying, ‘No . . . Tommy Toal.’ He walked away from me saying, ‘I’m gonna read about that kid someday.’”
This doesn’t mark the first occasion people are reading about Tommy Toal. Far from it. Although he has been a standout varsity infielder at Haverford School for the past four years, it was his metamorphosis from a backup quarterback to one of the area’s top signal callers during his junior year in football that ignited a media and social network storm.
After taking over for an injured Kevin Carter during the third game, Toal ultimately helped lead the Fords to an undefeated campaign and himself to a first-team all-Inter-Academic League selection.
Tommy Toal awaits the snap during historic EA-Haverford Day football game– PSD photo by Angelise Stuhl
Then, last spring, Haverford’s baseball team finished a below-par 4-6 in the Inter-Ac, but, out of nowhere, the Fords stunned several squads with better resumes by capturing their third state championship in six years. Toal was among the main catalysts.
Before winning the state crown, Toal had already decided to accept a scholarship to play Division I baseball at LaSalle University. Now in his fourth year as a starter – his first two as a third baseman, the past two as a second baseman – Toal is a cinch to be named first-team, all-Inter-Ac for the third time in four seasons.
With a batting average that has steadily hovered between .360 and .380, Toal’s senior highlights have included notching his 100th career hit and scoring his 100th career run.
However, if you ask his teammates, coach, and family what makes Toal such a success, no one cites a single sports statistic, or mentions an award, or reminisces about a celebrated moment in yesteryear. As wonderful and entertaining as he has been on a football and baseball field, what truly defines Tommy Toal as a person to emulate is his attitude, competitiveness, loyalty, intelligence, diligence, and consistency.
Tommy Toal tallied his 100th career hit and scored his 100th career run during his tenure at The Haverford School – PSD photo by Chip Frenette
“He's a great teammate who always puts the team first,” said senior shortstop Dave Hogarth, who follows the leadoff-hitting Toal in the batting order. “He's done some great individual things at his time at Haverford, but you never hear it from him.”
Hogarth is one of four senior baseball captains, joining Toal, catcher Bryan Hyland, and pitcher Tyler Dunbar. Each member of the quartet has been on varsity since freshman year.
“Tommy just focuses on winning,” said Hogarth. “I've known him for a while and he has always had that mindset, but now that he's been on a bigger stage the past couple years, he's really gotten great opportunities to show it, and it's paid off for him.”
Bob Castell has been Haverford School’s baseball coach for the past quarter of a century. He has coached countless great players and people.
Tommy Toal, who described himself as “incredibly fortunate for the sacrifice that my parents made in sending me to Haverford and the support my family (including 11-year-old brother Daniel) always gives me,” is one of them.
“Everything that has worked out for him, he’s earned,” said Castell. “He’s all about ‘team.’ He just wants to contribute. It doesn’t matter much where he plays, as long as he’s in a position to help the team be successful. You can’t say enough about an unselfish player like that.”
Castell recalls Toal’s early claim to fame. In less than a week, he provided two game-winning, walk-off hits. Both came at the expense of Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy.
“Even back then, he understood ‘the moment,’” said Castell. “That’s never changed about him.”
Toal’s father Rich was a renowned athlete in both baseball and football at Cardinal O'Hara. His wife – a swimmer at O'Hara – credits Rich for much of Tommy’s prowess.
“He's the one that had him catching mile-high popups and hard ground balls at four years old,” she said.
All kidding aside, Rich Toal noticed that his eldest son was special at a very early age.
“Since Tommy was young, he has always tried to do the right thing like sticking up for classmates who were bullied or making sure all were included,” he said. “On the field, he is one of the most competitive athletes I have been around and is not afraid to be a leader and with what comes with that. What I am most proud of is his ability to stay calm and focused and perform under pressure.”
Rich and Monica Toal have been rewarded with double incentive to attend the Fords’ baseball games. Tommy’s freshman brother, Patrick, is a varsity first baseman and pitcher (he is also a quarterback –undoubtedly a future story) with abundant baseball proficiency.
Tommy Toal admitted that he is protective of his younger sibling and “sometimes a little nervous” depending on what situation Patrick finds himself in during the course of a game because, he said, “I especially want him to come through all the time.”
Tommy (#7) stands next to his younger brother and teammate, Patrick – photo courtesy of Monica Toal.
Asked to assess playing with older brother this spring, Patrick said he has “learned a lot” and feels fortunate to have had the experience.
“In the beginning of the season I asked him to treat me as if he would any other kid on the team,” said Patrick. “He taught me to always work hard for what you’re trying to achieve and that nothing is ever given to you. It is awesome to have him as a teammate because he constantly brings a positive attitude to the field and inspires my teammates and I to succeed every day.”
Patrick’s teammates wholeheartedly agree.
Patrick & Tommy Toal - photo courtesy of Monica Toal
“Tommy’s one of my closest friends,” said Dunbar. “He's caring, supportive, and trustworthy. He is also the same exact way on the field as a teammate as well. He takes on the leadership role easily and he is always the first one to congratulate me when things are going well or the first one to pick me up when things aren't going well. Whether on the field or just in life, he always carries himself with confidence.”
Hyland labeled Toal “an all-around great guy.”
“As a person, Tommy is one of the most caring and selfless individuals that I have ever met,” said Hyland. “With a smile on his face, Tommy will always ask you how you're doing and will make sure that if your response is ‘good,’ he makes it ‘great.’
“As a teammate, Tommy's leadership and value to the team are immeasurable. Some wonder how Tommy ‘does it all,’ but I don't. Tommy works his tail off every day to be able to achieve the things he's been able to achieve, and I'm grateful that I can call him my teammate and, more importantly, my friend.”
That’s not to say that Tommy Toal hasn’t had his flaws.
“He didn’t sleep for a full night until he was two years old,” said his mom.
Slacker.
(John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)