NL Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks

Bittiger accepts position with Oakland

Published on February 4, 2004 under Northern League (NL)
Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks News Release


FARGO, N.D. – Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks Pitching Coach Jeff Bittiger has resigned to accept a position with the Oakland Athletics organization, the Northern League club announced today. Bittiger will serve as Oakland's Northeast Area scout covering Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and New England. Bittiger will continue to work with RedHawks Manager Doug Simunic as a consultant on player personnel issues, including the building of the 2004 RedHawks.

Bittiger, 41, has been an integral part of the RedHawks family since 1996. Teaming with Field Manager Doug Simunic, the duo has consistently built championship-level teams for Fargo-Moorhead. During Bittiger's tenure, the RedHawks posted the highest winning percentage in the Northern League (432-261; .623) and won Northern League titles in 1998 and 2003. The ‘Hawks are also the only team to post two 60+ win seasons. Due to the efforts of Bittiger and Simunic, the RedHawks were selected as Baseball America's Independent Team of the 1990's.

As a pitcher with Fargo-Moorhead, Bittiger fashioned a 36-12 record with a 3.46 ERA in 77 starts (393.1 innings) from 1996-2002. His best season came in 1998, when he tied a league record for victories with a 12-1 record and a 1.94 ERA in 16 starts and led the RedHawks to the championship. That year he was selected as the Northern League's "Star of Stars" by Howe Sportsdata, was named to pitch in the Northern League All-Star game as tabbed to the Northern League Post-Season All-Star team. In 2000, Bittiger was named Baseball America's Independent Player of the Decade for the 1990' s.

Bittiger came to the Northern League in their inaugural season of 1993 when he was signed as a pitcher/pitching coach with the Rochester Aces, managed by Doug Simunic. When the Aces folded and became the Winnipeg Goldeyes in 1994, Bittiger and Simunic headed north and led the Goldeyes to the 1994 Northern League title. After the 1995 season with Winnipeg, Bittiger and Simunic signed on to guide the expansion RedHawks for the 1996 season.

From 1993-2002, Bittiger was one of the top pitchers in the Northern League. He ranks near the top of almost all career pitching statistics, including: shutouts (6-1st); victories (58-2nd); innings pitched (669.1-2nd); strikeouts (597-2nd); games (123-2nd) and complete games (10-7th).

Bittiger's professional pitching career began in 1980 after being drafted out of high school in New Jersey. In 23 seasons, Bittiger was 197-121 with a 3.53 ERA in 460 games (423 starts). He recorded 2,047 strikeouts in 2,568.0 innings pitched, including 1,994 at the minor league level. Bittiger reached the Major Leagues in 1986 with the Philadelphia Phillies, 1987 with the World Champion Minnesota Twins and 1988-89 with the Chicago White Sox.

"I am happy that Doug and I will be able to continue to work together to bring championship baseball to the Fargo-Moorhead area. We have had a unique and successful working relationship, and I am appreciative to Bruce Thom and Lee Schwartz for the opportunity to continue in my new capacity with the RedHawks," said Bittiger. "Bruce Thom has always given Doug and myself great freedom to put together championship-caliber teams, and I intend to be a major part of that again. Even though the internal structure has changed, I can be even more of an asset in the field scouting new talent to bring to the community."

"We've spent 12 great years together and won three championships," said RedHawks Field Manager Doug Simunic. "I don't see any reason why we cannot continue to be successful. We'll just be doing it in a different fashion."

"Jeff Bittiger will not only always be an important part of the RedHawks history—his accomplishments will long be respected throughout professional baseball," said RedHawks General Manager Lee Schwartz. "The entire organization thanks Jeff for helping make RedHawks baseball what it is today. We wish him and his family the very best."

Check out the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks Statistics

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