Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Brian Drahman Named Jackals' New Pitching Coach

Published on January 13, 2003 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


LITTLE FALLS, NJ-The New Jersey Jackals announced today that former major leaguer Brian Drahman has been hired as the team's new pitching coach. Drahman replaces Joel Bennett, who announced that he could not continue as pitching coach because of his full-time job commitment as a teacher in upstate New York.

The hiring of Drahman continues the working relationship between him and new Jackals' manager Joe Calfapietra. Drahman previously served as Calfapietra's pitching coach with the Allentown Ambassadors and Gary Railcats.

"I have a lot of respect for what Brian accomplished as a pitcher and what he brings to the table as a coach," said Calfapietra. "I am very happy that he is joining me in New Jersey."

The 36-year-old Drahman embarked on a 15-year professional pitching career after being selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2nd round of the 1986 draft. He spent parts of four seasons in the major leagues with the Chicago White Sox and the Florida Marlins; and he spent seven seasons in a row, between 1991 and 1997, either pitching in triple-A or in the majors.

In 47 career games in "The Show", Drahman posted a 3-2 record, 3.54 ERA and 1 save. He allowed only 42 hits in 56 innings pitched in the major leagues.

Used almost exclusively as a relief pitcher in his career, Drahman appeared in 623 games total and earned 169 saves. While pitching for triple-A Vancouver in 1992, Drahman saved a career-high 30 games. That number stood as the Pacific Coast League record until it was broken in 2000.

Drahman won 11 games over a two-year period while pitching for Calfapietra's Allentown Ambassadors in 2000 and 2001. During that 2000 campaign Drahman ranked 3rd in the Northern League East by winning 9 games.

"This is a great opportunity for me to come back to the East and come to a terrific organization that consistently puts a winning product on the field," said Drahman. "My job is to help make the pitchers better in every respect, but I like to win, too. My most major disappointment professionally is that I've never won a championship. I'd like to change that here in New Jersey."

Bennett, 33, had been the Jackals' pitching coach for the past two seasons. He accepted a teaching position following New Jersey's 2002 championship and his school-year commitment runs through the month of June. The Jackals, meanwhile, open spring training in May.

"It is just not possible for me to coach this year," said Bennett. "It would not be fair to Joe or to the pitchers if I missed spring training and showed up to coach once the season had begun."

What is yet to be decided is if Bennett, the holder of five Jackals' pitching records, will pitch for the team this season once his teaching obligations are completed.

"I haven't closed the door on the possibility of pitching this season," said Bennett. "I do know that the reason why I came to New Jersey in the first place (in 2001) was to coach and the past two seasons there have been two of the most rewarding I've had in my baseball career."

Check out the New Jersey Jackals Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Canadian American League Stories from January 13, 2003


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.

OurSports Central