Snappers Welcome New Pitching Coach
The Beloit Snappers will welcome a new coaching staff to Beloit for the 2014 season, their second as an affiliate of the Oakland Athletics.
The Snappers new Pitching Coach will be Craig Lefferts. The former Major League pitcher enters his 12th season as a pitching coach in Oakland's minor league system, his first with the Snappers. He previously spent two seasons with Single-A Stockton (2011-2012), seven with Short-Season Vancouver (2004-2010) and one with Double-A Midland (2003). He also worked as a Pitching Coach in the Toronto Blue Jays system (1999-2002).
In his 12-year Major League career, Lefferts compiled a 58-72 record with a 3.43 ERA, which included stints with the Cubs, Padres, Giants, Orioles, Rangers, and Angels. A ninth-round selection by the Cubs in 1980, Lefferts made his Major League debut with Chicago in 1983. In 1984, Lefferts posted a career-best 2.13 ERA for the National League West Division champion Padres and tossed 10 scoreless innings in six postseason appearances. He was the winning pitcher in the final two NLCS games against Chicago and earned the save in the Padres only World Series victory against Detroit.
In 1987, Lefferts made 44 appearances for San Francisco, including three scoreless outings in the NLCS against St. Louis. In 1989, he matched Gary Lavelle's team record for saves by a left-handed pitcher with 20 and appeared in five postseason games, making two appearances in the NLCS against Chicago and three against the A's in the World Series. After recording 23 saves in 1991, he was converted to a starter in 1992 and finished 13-9 with a 3.69 ERA in 27 starts for the Padres. Lefferts retired after making 30 appearances for the California Angels during the 1994 season.
Lefferts has worked with Snappers Manager, Rick Magnante, for a number of years. He also worked with Snappers Hitting Coach, Lloyd Turner, last year in Vermont.
Lefferts and the Snappers will get the first look at Burlington as Beloit hosts the Bees April 3, 2014 at Pohlman Field; first pitch is scheduled for 6:30 pm. For additional information or tickets call the Snappers Office at (608) 362-2272.