The Lowell Spinners, Class-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, will honor Thomas Gay, general manager of the Wareham Gatemen, and his wife Sheri, a long-time volunteer and organizer for the team, with the Greg Montalbano Award at the Spinners' annual alumni dinner on Wednesday.

The award is given each year to a local baseball ambassador who has gone above and beyond being a leader in the community and in the game of baseball. It is named for Greg Montalbano, who pitched for the Wareham Gatemen in 1998 passed away on August 21, 2009, after a herioc battle with cancer.

The Gays, who hosted Montalbano when he played for the Gatemen, are being recognized for 13 years of service to Wareham's Cape Cod League team.

Sheri has variously helped with the layout/design of the media guide, served as Secretary for the Gatemen, set up a “Meals at the Field” program for feeding players home-cooked meals after selected home games, and helped with housing players and coaches, eventually becoming vice president of Housing/Events/Jobs. She now coordinates the Get Together Dinner prior to the start of the season and the Annual Clam Bake at the end of the season.   

Tom was active in local Little League, became Commissioner of the Southcoast Youth Baseball Alliance and President of the Gateway Babe Ruth League, all the while coaching two or three teams each year. 

Through those organizations and being a host family, Tom established a relationship with long-time Gatemen President/GM John Wylde.  In 2006 he became assistant general manager, and succeeded Wylde as general manager in 2009. Tom has established strong relationships with college coaches throughout the country and actively communicates during the off season with each soon-to-be Gateman.

The late player's parents and sister will present the award.

The Gays live in Marion with their two children, Lindsey and Tommy Jr. Tom is a partner in the law firm of Gay & Gay, PC of Taunton.