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AtL Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

Blue Crabs' RHP Reichert One Win from History

September 13, 2010 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs News Release


(Waldorf, MD): Southern Maryland Blue Crabs starting pitcher Dan Reichert earned the winning decision Sunday, September 12 at Suffolk County Sports Park in Central Islip, NY, home of the Long Island Ducks. In 6.1 innings of work, the veteran right-hander now in his 14th season allowed seven hits, and five earned runs with four walks and three strikeouts. The workman-like effort was the 17th win of the season for Reichert, which tied him for the single-season Atlantic League record.

As the 2010 regular season winds down, Reichert has one start remaining to set a new single-season mark. He will take the ball for the Blue Crabs Friday evening when they play the York Revolution at home at 7:05 p.m. at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf. Tickets for Friday night's potentially historic game are still available, but fans are urged to buy now to reserve their seats. Tickets may be purchased any time by visiting the Blue Crabs official website, SOMDBlueCrabs.com, or by visiting the Regency Furniture Stadium box office during a game or during normal business hours.

The record is held by Denny Harriger of the Lancaster Barnstormers, who went 17-4 in Lancaster's Atlantic League Championship year of 2006. With Sunday's victory, Reichert improved to 17-9, surpassing Lincoln Mikkelsen, who went 16-6 with the 2002 Camden Riversharks. Reichert now leads the Atlantic League by four wins this season, with Lancaster's Josh Hall second at 13. Reichert is also the winningiest pitcher in a single season for the Blue Crabs by four, surpassing Ryan Bicondoa's mark of 13 in the inaugural 2008 campaign.

The potentially record setting 2010 season has been no fluke for Dan Reichert, as he carries the third lowest ERA in the league, while running away with the league's strikeout crown. As of September 13, Reichert leads the ALPB with 139 strikeouts, 20 more than the next closest hurler. The durable veteran also leads the league in starts (28), and innings pitched (182). Already with a career high in wins this season, Reichert's Friday start will also mark a career high.

Reichert, in his typical humble manner was quick to deflect praise to his teammates however. "I wouldn't be in this position if our offense wasn't going out there and getting enough runs for me," he said. Some guys came up to me on Sunday and said 'yeah, number 17 today,' and I was like, well you guys better go out and get enough for me and then we'll win the game," Reichert joked.

Despite his self-depreciating sense of humor, the look on Reichert's face turned quite serious when asked about the significance of this accomplishment in the scope of the Blue Crabs' upcoming playoff run. Reichert, now 34, has yet to be part of a championship team in all his seasons in the game.

"Everyone in the clubhouse is getting very focused. After Friday and this homestand, the emphasis will shift to the playoffs. With the team we have, there is really no reason we shouldn't win it. It's so close, we feel like we can grab it, it's right there for us. It was the goal laid out by Butch (Hobson) the first day we got here," said Reichert, obviously moved by the chance to win his first championship as a professional.

Last season, playing in the Atlantic League with the Bridgeport Bluefish, Reichert went 14-9 in 28 starts. A season prior in 2008, Reichert began his first tour of duty with the Blue Crabs, going 3-1 in six starts before being the first player in franchise history to be signed by a Major League organization, after having his contract purchased by the Cleveland Indians on May 29. Reichert is now 34-19 in 62 Atlantic League starts. For his career, Reichert is 107-89, with 21 of those wins coming at the Major League level for the Kansas City Royals.

Reichert, selected by the Royals with the seventh overall pick of the 1997 draft out of the University of the Pacific, debuted in the Majors just two years later in 1999 with Kansas City, pitching for the Royals through 2002 where he tallied all of his 51 MLB starts. The Turlock, CA native also pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2003.

Dan Reichert now resides in Lincoln, NE with his wife Lisa and son Jackson (5).

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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