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FSL1 Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

Rasmussen will return for 10th season as Miracle pitching coach

November 21, 2005 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release


FORT MYERS, FL (November 21, 2005) - Eric Rasmussen was the former pitching coach of the Fort Myers Miracle for about a month, but the Twins organization announced he will return as the Miracle pitching coach for the 2006 season.

Rasmussen, 53, who was scheduled to be the pitching coach of the GCL Twins in 2006, was reassigned to the Miracle because due to a domino effect. Red Wings pitching coach Bobby Cuellar is the new bullpen coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates, which sent Stu Cliburn, pitching coach of the New Britain Rock Cats (Double-A Twins) to the Red Wings. With the opening at Double-A, newly named Miracle pitching coach Gary Lucas takes over the helm for the Rock Cats, which left the opening for Rasmussen to return.

Rasmussen will enter his 10th season as pitching coach with the Miracle. He spent 1996-97 with the team and then went to New Britain in 1998 before returning in 1999. He guided the Miracle pitching staff to the best ERA in the Florida State League in 2005, 3.35. The Miracle pitching staff was among the league leaders in many other categories including complete games with 10 (1st), fewest hits allowed, 13 shutouts (2nd) and fourth most strikeouts. Adam Harben finished with the fourth best ERA in the league and three-fifths of Rasmussen's opening day rotation was called up during the season.

Rasmussen was a 32nd round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals and played eight seasons in the Major League's with the Cardinals (1975-78, 82-83), San Diego Padres (78-80) and the Kansas City Royals (83). He was 50-77, 3.85 in 238 games. He holds a Major League record by pitching a shutout in his first National League game July 21, 1975 and first American League game August 6, 1983

Rasmussen resides in Cape Coral with his wife Linda, twin sons Derek and Brock and Michael. The Miracle open their season on Thursday, April 6 at Sarasota with the home opener Saturday, April 8 vs. Sarasota Reds at 7:05 p.m. For more information contact the Miracle office 239-768-4210.

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