Ausanio forges post-career path in Hudson Valley

FISHKILL, N.Y. -- There are cases of beer stacked in the corner of Joe Ausanio's bunker-like office in the bowels of Dutchess Stadium. The smell of fried food wafts through the open door, and occasionally one of Ausanio's underlings will pop his head in to ask a question or display a tray of cold cuts, asking if it's sufficient fare for the visiting clubhouse.

It's clear that Ausanio is in the business of feeding people, lots of them actually at one of the New York-Penn League's more popular venues. His business is concessions with the only concession to his past being a small case of baseball cards buried amidst the clutter on his corner desk.

Ausanio, a local product from nearby Kingston, once shared the biggest stage in all of baseball, pitching for nearly two seasons with the Yankees during the dying days of Buck Showalter's reign. The right-hander appeared in 41 games for the Bombers during the 1994-95 season, serving as part of the team that started New York's current run as one of the most dominant teams in baseball.

And while his stay on top didn't last nearly as long as that of the Bombers, Ausanio has found a way to achieve his two primary post-playing-days goals -- stay involved in the game while remaining close to home. Ausanio is the director of food services for the Hudson Valley Renegades, managing a staff of close 80 employees. He's also the sales director and has 12 people working under him in that regard.

"My passion has always been baseball," said Ausanio, who was 4-1 with a 5.57 ERA for the Bombers. "But after I retired, I wasn't sure if I wanted to coach or scout. So I called the Renegades, and they had a food service opening and I've been here ever since. And I knew nothing about the food service business, but I learned on the fly."

Ausanio's post-career path has certainly been an interesting. A knuckleballer by trade, he still works for the Yankees from time to time throwing batting practice on the days the club is slated to face Tim Wakefield or another pitcher who throws the floater. He also will work with some of the young pitchers at Hudson Valley when asked, most recently having a look as fellow knuckleballer Diego Echeverria threw a bullpen session for the Renegades.

"It really does keep my appetite whet," said Ausanio, who retired following the 1996 season, one that he split between Norfolk of the International League and Colorado Springs of the Pacific Coast League. "And there are a lot of times when I'll look out there and see some things the lay public would never know about and thing 'he needs to correct that.'

"But I don't overstep the coaching staff. I'll take a back seat and watch from afar or throw batting practice once in a while. And I don't watch a whole game, but I will get to see an inning or two."

The Braves drafted Ausanio out of nearby Kingston High School in the 30th round in 1984. He opted to go to college, though, and was drafted again in 1988, this time in the 11th round by the Pirates. Ausanio made his way up to Triple-A Buffalo, going 6-4 with a 2.90 ERA and 15 saves in 1992 before the Expos claimed him on waivers that November.

Ausanio spent two years in the Montreal system before the Yankees grabbed him in the Rule 5 Draft. He split the 1994 and '95 seasons between New York and Columbus but did earn a place on the postseason roster in '95. Though he didn't make it into any of the games, he has some fond memories of the series against Seattle.

"I remember [Don] Mattingly hitting a homer," Ausanio, 41, said. "Those were some great games. I was there when Mariano Rivera became a reliever, too."

Those days are simply a pleasant memory now for Ausanio. He's content where he is and with what he's doing, truly enjoying working in the NY-P League. He also coached the Marist College softball team this season for the first time, a luxury afforded him by his flexible schedule.

"I don't want a higher role," he said. "I don't want to be a GM or an assistant or anything like that. I like what I do."