FL Windy City ThunderBolts

Late Charge Not Enough for Outgoing Skipper

Published on June 1, 2002 under Frontier League (FL)
Windy City ThunderBolts News Release


CRESTWOOD, IL (Friday, May 31, 2002) – With a lot on the minds of the Cheetahs with the news of Skipper Chad Epperson's departure, the Cheetahs came into tonight's game looking to send Epperson off with a sweep over the Evansville Otters. Even with a late charge in the ninth, the Cheetahs fell short by the score of 12-8. Epperson announced today that he was leaving to take the position of hitting coach with the Boston Red Sox Class A Florida State League. The Cheetahs announced that now-retired first baseman Dana Forsberg will take the helm as Cheetahs manage.

The Cheetahs' first Japanese player, Hideki Nagasaka, made his professional debut, giving up 7 runs on 7 hits and 1 home run in 4 innings. "I threw the team for a loop with the news that I broke to them before the game", said Epperson. "We had problems with pitching all day and I'm sure that Dana and the rest of the staff will address that later, but I was happy to see the bats continue as they have this whole series."

The bats did come alive in the ninth inning as the Cheetahs scored 4 runs with two outs, trying to make up the eight-run deficit going in to the ninth inning. "The guys are going to hit, we showed that, but I would like to have left with the sweep," Epperson said. The Cheetahs had 12 hits, with 5 coming in the ninth inning.

Forsberg announced his retirement today to become the new manager. "It's a great opportunity for me", said new skipper Forsberg. "After playing for five years under great managers, I have learned a lot and will take that tutelage and bring it to this team." Forsberg and Epperson are not strangers to each other. Both were a part of the Nashua Pride (Atlantic League) 2000 Championship season and came to the Cook County Cheetahs together in 2001. "Dana has the knowledge and he knows the league", said Epperson. "The team looks at Dana like a player /coach and like Dana said, it's the same ship, just a new skipper."

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