Fossas joins Dragons as pitching coach

DAYTON, Ohio -- The Dayton Dragons announced today that Tony Fossas will join the club as pitching coach for the 2009 season. Fossas replaces Rigo Beltran, who has been promoted to the Double-A Carolina Mudcats in the Reds organization.

Fossas (FOSS-us) enjoyed a 21-year professional playing career and pitched in the Major Leagues for all or parts of 12 seasons with the Red Sox, Cardinals, Rangers, Brewers, Mariners, Cubs and Yankees. Despite not reaching the Major Leagues until the age of 30, Fossas pitched in 567 big league games from 1988 until 1999. He was originally signed as a 12th round pick of the Rangers in 1979.

Known as one of baseball's best situational left-handed relievers, Fossas finished third in the American League in games pitched in 1993 with 71 appearances out of the Red Sox bullpen. His best season came in 1995 with the Cardinals, when he pitched in 58 games and allowed only six runs, posting a 1.47 earned run average with a 3-0 record. In 1996, Fossas appeared in five of the seven National League Championship Series games for the Cardinals against the Atlanta Braves.

Over the past five years, Fossas has served as pitching coach for Florida Atlantic University. He will make his professional baseball coaching debut this season.

Fossas, 51, resides in Plantation, Florida.

More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Class A Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling (937) 228-2287, emailing at [email protected], or on the web at daytondragons.com online.