Latest news with #JeffBittiger
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Former Phillies Pitcher, Longtime Coach Dies Unexpectedly at 63
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Jeff Bittiger made a small mark on Major League Baseball in parts of four seasons pitching for the Philadelphia Phillies, Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox from 1986-89. Bittiger's impact on the independent American Association was so large, he was inducted to its Hall of Fame in a ceremony that is scheduled to take place Tuesday. More news: Former Cubs, Phillies Manager Passes Away Sadly, Bittiger passed away on Saturday after a private battle with cancer. He was 63. A detailed view of a Philadelphia Phillies baseball hat and glove sitting in the dugout during the spring training game against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium on February 24, 2013. A detailed view of a Philadelphia Phillies baseball hat and glove sitting in the dugout during the spring training game against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium on February 24, 2013. Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images After his final game with the White Sox in May 1989, Bittiger spent 10 seasons in the Northern League, an independent league that preceded the American Association in the midwest. He was named Baseball America's Independent Player of the Decade for the 1990s. Following his career as a pitcher, Bittiger served as the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks' pitching coach through the 2003 season. After he was hired as a scout by the Oakland A's in 2004, he remained active in the RedHawks' player personnel department, eventually becoming their director of player personnel in 2017. More news: Tigers All-Star, First Draft Pick to Appear in an MLB Game, Passes Away Bittiger was still a player personnel consultant for the RedHawks at the time of his death. "We are heartbroken to share that we've lost a member of the A's family today," the team wrote on its Twitter/X account Saturday. "Jeff Bittiger, a scout of ours for the past 22 years, passed away this morning at the age of 63." From the Athletics: We are heartbroken to share that we've lost a member of the A's family today. Jeff Bittiger, a scout of ours for the past 22 years, passed away this morning at the age of 63. Jeff played parts of four seasons in the big leagues with the Phillies, Twins, and… — Athletics (@Athletics) July 19, 2025 "As an area scout, he signed Rookie of the Year Andrew Bailey, and he was a critical voice in many trade acquisitions over the last 10 years as a member of our Professional Scouting staff," the statement continued. "Thank you, Jeff, for your dedication not only to the A's organization, but to the game of baseball." Bittiger's death surely came as a surprise to many who were unaware of his cancer battle and saw him continue working into the 2025 season. More news:Yankees World Series Champion, St. Louis' Last AL All-Star, Dies at 97 "He's been battling cancer privately for years," Brett Bittiger, Jeff's son, told the The Forum. "He didn't stop working until this spring, which is very much on brand for him. ... He cared about being great." Originally drafted as a third baseman out of Secaucus (N.J.) High School, Bittiger was converted to a full-time pitcher in 1981 and was in the Mets' farm system until New York traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1986. More news: Former Cubs, Cardinals Outfielder Who Made St. Louis History Passes Away Bittiger made only three starts for the Phillies in 1986 before he was released. The Atlanta Braves cut him just before the 1987 season began, and he signed a minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins in April of that year. Bittiger joined the Twins' major league club in September 1987 when rosters expanded, but he was not included on their postseason roster as they marched to the World Series championship. More news: Former Red Sox, Indians, Angels Pitcher Passes Away Bittiger's 25 games (seven starts) with the White Sox in 1988 were his most in any big league season. He went 2-4 with a 4.23 ERA (95 ERA+). In 1989, he made only two appearances with Chicago — the last of his major league career. That proved to be the beginning of Bittinger's long career in professional baseball. He still holds the RedHawks' team record for lowest career ERA (3.46), and his work as a scout continues to have an impact. More news: Legendary 2-Sport Star Whose Grandson Followed Him to MLB's Cardinals Dies Bailey, for example, went into coaching after his playing career ended. He is currently the Boston Red Sox's pitching coach. "Jeff spent his whole life around the game: playing, coaching, and scouting. He was as good a person as he was a scout, and he was a hell of a scout," Billy Beane, a senior adviser to Athletics owner John Fisher who previously served as the club's general manager, said in a statement. "He knew pitchers inside and out and you could tell how much he loved baseball just by being around him." For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.
New York Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Jeff Bittiger, former Mets draft pick and MLB pitcher, dead at 63
Jeff Bittiger, a former major-league pitcher who originally was drafted by the Mets and later served for more than two decades as a scout for the Athletics, died Saturday. He was 63. The Mets chose the Jersey City native and Secaucus HS product in the seventh round of the 1980 draft. Advertisement Jeff Bittiger, a former pitcher whom the Mets drafted in 1980, has died at the age of 63. Getty Images Bittiger spent six seasons in their minor-league system, reaching Triple-A Tidewater. He was a rotation member alongside Ron Darling on the Tides squad — managed by Davey Johnson — that reached the Triple-A championship round in 1983. Following a trade, Bittiger made his major-league debut with the Phillies in 1986. The right-hander also pitched for the Twins and the White Sox, finishing with a 4-6 record and a 4.77 ERA over 33 appearances. Advertisement Bittiger played in the minors and independent leagues until retirement at the age of 40 before taking a job as an area scout with Oakland in 2003. Jeff Bittiger was a longtime scout for the Athletics. X/@Athletics Among the players he signed over 22 seasons working for the A's were former All-Star closer and 2009 AL Rookie of the Year Andrew Bailey. Advertisement The team did not disclose a cause of death for Bittiger. 'Jeff spent his whole life around the game: playing, coaching, and scouting. He was as good a person as he was a scout, and he was a hell of a scout,' former A's GM and current ownership advisor Billy Beane said in a statement. 'He knew pitchers inside and out and you could tell how much he loved baseball just by being around him.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Former MLB pitcher and longtime scout Jeff Bittiger dies at 63
Former major league pitcher Jeff Bittiger, who also worked as a scout for 22 years with the Athletics, died on Saturday morning at the age of 63. The organization did not disclose the cause of death. But the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, a pro independent league franchise for whom Bittiger was a longtime pitcher, coach and front office staffer, announced later Saturday that he died at his home in Pennsylvania 'after a private battle with cancer.' 'Bitt will be remembered for his determination on and off the field, his love for the game of baseball and the countless players he coached and helped to greater career success,' the North Dakota-based RedHawks said in a statement. 'He's been battling cancer privately for years,' Bittiger's son Brett told The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. 'He didn't stop working until this spring, which is very much on brand for him. He cared about being great.' Bittiger was already scheduled to be inducted into the American Association Professional Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday in Fargo as part of the league's All-Star Game festivities. A native of Jersey City, N.J., Bittiger was selected by the New York Mets in the seventh round of the 1980 MLB Draft out of Secaucus (N.J.) High School. The right-hander made his major league debut in September 1986 with the Philadelphia Phillies and concluded his MLB career in May 1989 with the Chicago White Sox. His career record was 4-6 with a 4.77 ERA, 42 walks and 53 strikeouts in 33 games for the Phillies, Minnesota Twins and White Sox. 'Jeff spent his whole life around the game: playing, coaching, and scouting,' Billy Beane, a senior advisor to Athletics owner John Fisher and the team's former general manager, said in a statement. 'He was as good a person as he was a scout, and he was a hell of a scout. He knew pitchers inside and out and you could tell how much he loved baseball just by being around him. We're all better for having been lucky enough to spend time with him at a game or in the draft room.' The Athletics said he played independent baseball until age 40. He was a scout for the organization for 22 years. 'As an area scout, he signed (2009 American League) Rookie of the Year Andrew Bailey, and he was a critical voice in many trade acquisitions over the last 10 years as a member of our Professional Scouting staff,' the Athletics said in a statement. 'Thank you, Jeff, for your dedication not only to the A's organization, but to the game of baseball.'
Reuters
3 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Former MLB pitcher, longtime scout Jeff Bittiger dies at 63
July 20 - Former major league pitcher Jeff Bittiger, a scout for 22 years with the Athletics, died on Saturday morning, the team announced. He was 63. The organization did not disclose the cause of death. The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, a pro independent league franchise for whom Bittiger was a longtime pitcher, coach and front office staffer, announced later Saturday that he died at his home in Pennsylvania "after a private battle with cancer." "Bitt will be remembered for his determination on and off the field, his love for the game of baseball and the countless players he coached and helped to greater career success," the North Dakota-based RedHawks said in a statement. "He's been battling cancer privately for years," Bittiger's son Brett told The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. "He didn't stop working until this spring, which is very much on brand for him. ... He cared about being great." Bittiger was already scheduled to be inducted into the American Association Professional Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday in Fargo as part of the league's All-Star Game festivities. A native of Jersey City, N.J., Bittiger was selected by the New York Mets in the seventh round of the 1980 MLB Draft out of Secaucus (N.J.) High School. The right-hander made his major league debut in September 1986 with the Philadelphia Phillies and concluded his MLB career in May 1989 with the Chicago White Sox. His career record was 4-6 with a 4.77 ERA, 42 walks and 53 strikeouts in 33 games (12 starts) for the Phillies (1986), Minnesota Twins (1987) and White Sox (1988-89). "Jeff spent his whole life around the game: playing, coaching, and scouting," Billy Beane, a senior advisor to Athletics owner John Fisher and the team's former general manager, said in a statement. "He was as good a person as he was a scout, and he was a hell of a scout. He knew pitchers inside and out and you could tell how much he loved baseball just by being around him. We're all better for having been lucky enough to spend time with him at a game or in the draft room." The Athletics said he played independent baseball until age 40. He was a scout for the organization for 22 years. "As an area scout, he signed (2009 American League) Rookie of the Year Andrew Bailey, and he was a critical voice in many trade acquisitions over the last 10 years as a member of our Professional Scouting staff," the Athletics said in a statement. "Thank you, Jeff, for your dedication not only to the A's organization, but to the game of baseball." --Field Level Media
NBC Sports
3 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Jeff Bittiger, former major league pitcher, longtime Athletics scout, dies at 63
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Jeff Bittiger, a pitcher who played four seasons in the major leagues and spent the last 22 years as a scout in the Athletics organization, died Saturday morning, the A's announced. He was 63. The team did not disclose a cause of death. Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, Bittiger made his major league debut for Philadelphia on Sept. 2, 1986. The 5-foot-10 right-hander went 4-6 with a 4.77 ERA in 33 appearances for the Phillies, Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox. He pitched his last major league game in 1989 for Chicago, and the A's said he continued to play independent ball until age 40. As an area scout for the A's, Bittiger signed right-hander Andrew Bailey, the AL Rookie of the Year in 2009, and he was part of the team's professional scouting staff for the past decade. 'Jeff spent his whole life around the game: playing, coaching, and scouting. He was as good a person as he was a scout, and he was a hell of a scout,' Billy Beane, a senior adviser to Athletics owner John Fisher who previously served as the club's general manager, said in a statement. 'He knew pitchers inside and out and you could tell how much he loved baseball just by being around him.'
