Former Aviators Pitcher Rucinski Called to the Show
July 10, 2014 - Frontier League (FL)
Rockford Aviators News Release
LOVES PARK, IL - The Rockford Aviators, presented by Pearson, are proud to announce that former Aviator, Drew Rucinski has been called up from Double-A Arkansas Travelers to join the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Rucinski is the third player in franchise history to be called up to the major leagues, but the first Aviator. He joins Brian Tollberg and Mike Cervenak who each played for the Philadelphia Phillies after spending time with the Chillicothe Paints. Tollberg played for the Paints in 1994 and Cervenak from 1999-2000.
"I'm as proud as I can be for the guy," said Aviators pitching coach Dan Grybash. "It's really the ultimate story. The guy went from being the opening day starter here in Rockford to being in the big leagues in less than a year. They should make a movie about it."
Rucinski played for the Aviators three different times between 2011-2013. In his last stint with the Aviators in 2013, Rucinski started fifteen games and posted a 4-6 record with a 2.88 ERA before being signed by the Angels.
"It just goes to show how fast it can happen and how nothing is impossible as long as you have a number on your back," said Grybash.
This season with the Arkansas Travelers, the Double-A affiliate for the Angels, Rucinski was 7-4 in seventeen starts with a 2.35 ERA.
Rucinski will be in uniform with the Angels tonight as the team is on the road in Arlington, Texas to take on the Texas Rangers.
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