EL1 Trenton Thunder

Former Thunder Pitchers Joe Hudson & Shawn Senior to Throw Ceremonial First Pitches on Monday

July 25, 2008 - Eastern League (EL1)
Trenton Thunder News Release


(Trenton, NJ) - The Trenton Thunder, the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, have announced that former Thunder stars Joe Hudson (1995) and Shawn Senior (1995-96) will be participating in pre-game ceremonies on Monday, July 28 as the Thunder face the Altoona Curve (Pittsburgh Pirates).

Joe Hudson is a member of the Thunder All 15 Year Team and will be honored before the game. The players selected to the All 15-Year Team were featured in a card set that is being given away at the Waterfront Park gates in five card installments throughout the season thanks to the Mercer County Improvement Authority Recycling Department. The final installment, which features a Joe Hudson card, will be given out on Monday to the first 1,500 fans ages 6 and over. Other players on the strip include Hudson's 1995 Thunder teammates Nomar Garciaparra, Jeff Suppan, and Pork Chop Pough, as well as Kevin Youkilis (2002). Hudson will be joined by another of his former 1995 teammates, Shawn Senior, during the pre-game ceremony.

The All 15-Year Team was selected via voting through an online ballot from the team's official website, www.trentonthunder.com. The voting ran for a month with the ballots being tallied on Friday, March 7th. The All 15-Year Team was announced on April 7th.

Joe Hudson was a local player from Medford, New Jersey who was drafted by the Red Sox in the 27th Round of the 1992 Draft. In 1995, Hudson made 22 relief appearances and had an ERA of 1.71 with 8 saves for the Thunder. He did not give up a home run in 31.2 innings pitched. He was the most dominating reliever in the Eastern League when he was called up to the Red Sox, making his Major League debut against Oakland on June 10, 1995. He was returned to the Thunder on June 23, and then was recalled to the Red Sox for good on July 3. He got his first Major League save on July 21, 1995 against the Minnesota Twins. Joe got his first Major League win on June 12, 1996 against the Chicago White Sox. Joe spent three seasons (1995-97) with the Red Sox, and he also pitched for the Milwaukee Brewers. Joe was a three sport star at Holy Cross High School in Delran, NJ.

Shawn Senior pitched for the Thunder over two seasons, 1995 and 1996. He was manager Ken Macha's choice to be the Thunder Opening Night starter in 1995. Shawn went on to win 11 games for the Thunder that year. He finished with 16 career wins for the Thunder. Another local product, Shawn was drafted by the Red Sox in the 4th Round of the 1993 draft, from Cherry Hill High School West.

All 15 Year Card Set Giveaway #4 July 28 vs. Altoona INF Nomar Garciappara / INF Kevin Youkilis / RHP Jeff Suppan / RHP Joe Hudson / INF Pork Chop Pough

Garciaparra- Garciaparra played for the Thunder in 1995 and is a five-time Major League All-Star.

Youkilis- A 2002 member of the Thunder, Youkilis was named Boston Red Sox Minor League Player of the Year in 2002.

Suppan- Suppan won six games for the Thunder in 1995 and was also named MVP of the NLCS in 2006 for St. Louis

Hudson- Hudson, a NJ native, pitched for the Thunder in 1995, and had eight saves.

Pough- Pough had 21 home runs for the Thunder in 1995 which tied Tony Clark's mark from the previous season

Check out the Trenton Thunder Statistics



Eastern League Stories from July 25, 2008


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