The Windy City ThunderBolts announced that former Chicago White Sox pitcher, Ehren Wassermann will be the 2012 Pitching Coach under Field Manager Morgan Burkhart. Wassermann was hired after current professional commitments forced recently hired ThunderBolts Pitching Coach Bobby Post to resign effective immediately.
Wassermann brings his wealth of pitching and Major League experience to the ThunderBolts pitching staff in 2012. His extensive resume includes being signed by the Chicago White Sox as an amateur free agent in 2003. The right handed, sidearmed pitcher made his Major League debut in a White Sox uniform on July 20, 2007 against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park where he retired the only two batters he faced. Wassermann appeared in 33 games in 2007 while posting a 1-1 record and a 2.74 ERA, striking out 14 and walking 7.
In 2008, he appeared in 24 games for the White Sox posting a 1-2 record. In 2 years with the White Sox, he never surrendered a home run. After being granted free agency following the 2009 season, Wassermann was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies. While representing the United States in the Baseball World Cup in 2009, he won a gold medal. Wassermann’s MLB career ended after the 2010 season when he was granted free agency.Wassermann last played for the Long Island Ducks of the Independent Atlantic League in 2011, posting a 4-1 record with a 2.57 ERA, along with 11 saves, walking only 12 while striking out 65.
ThunderBolts Field Manager Morgan Burkhart is excited about welcoming Ehren to his 2012 staff. "I'm looking forward to working with Ehren, he brings with him a lot of baseball experience through a long successful career playing at the highest level,” Burkhart commented. Burkhart continued by saying, “After talking with him I think he will transition easily into the teaching aspect of the game, and it's nice to bring the background and experience he has to these younger ballplayers."
With the new hire, Windy City will be led by both a field manager and pitching coach that have played in the Major Leagues (Burkhart – Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals) and an Independent League during their career. Wassermann looks to improve a ThunderBolt pitching staff that finished the 2011 season ranked 8th in team ERA.
The Windy City ThunderBolts open their 14th Frontier League season on Thursday, May 17th vs. Joliet at Standard Bank Stadium with a special one-game homestand featuring $1.25 beer and post-game fireworks! Season tickets, flex plans, fundraisers, and group outing opportunities are available now! Single-game tickets go on sale Saturday, April 28th at 10:00 am. Call 708-489-BALL or check out wcthunderbolts.com for more information!
