Ambassadors Ink New Pitching Coach

Published on April 9, 2003 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Allentown Ambassadors News Release


The Allentown Ambassadors hired Rafael Valdez to be the team's new pitching coach, team officials announced today.

The thirty-four-year-old Valdez was signed by the Padres in 1985 at the age of 17 as a shortstop. He played at short for two seasons before the team moved him to the mound. The move paid dividends in 1989, when Valdez pitched a perfect game for the class-A Riverside Red Waves. Valdez moved up the minor league ranks and made it to the Majors in 1990, pitching in three games for the Padres with an 0-1 record. Valdez finished the season in AAA and never made it back to The Show.

In 1992 he became a free agent and went to the Indians' organization after pitching in Taiwan, and then the Mariners the season after that. After one season with the Mariners' AA affiliate in Canton-Akron, Valdez was released. He then played for the Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs for two seasons before ending his playing career.

His coaching career began the next season with Albany-Colonie as he helped lead the Diamond Dogs to the Northern League championship. He coached there for two more seasons, and then spent last season with the Berkshire Black Bears as their pitching coach.

"I'm looking forward to Rafael adding his playing and coaching experience to the club," team General Manager Michael Jermain said. "Having pitched a perfect game and won a Northern League championship as a coach will only benefit the Ambassadors' pitching staff in fulfilling our quest to become the 2003 Northeast League champions."

"It's great to be coming [to Allentown]," Valdez said. "I'll teach the pitchers what I know and they'll do the rest. My only goal is to win the championship."

The Ambassadors will be holding open tryouts May 3rd at 9 A.M. at Bicentennial Park. Participants need to bring their gear and $30. The Ambassadors' season begins with the home opener on May 22nd at 7:05 against the Bangor Lumberjacks. For ticket information, call (610) 437-6800.

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Canadian American League Stories from April 9, 2003


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