The former DETROIT TIGERS pitcher Pat Ahearne will pitch for the Russian TORNADO BALASHIKHA in the European Cup in Grosseto, Italy. The 38-year-old already has his best days in his playing career behind him. However, he works, as a pitching instructor for the “Rod Dedeaux Research and Baseball Institute” in Los Angeles. Since June 1 Ahearne is on an exploratory trip through Europe, including visits of France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria. After the European Cup he will held a baseball clinic in Ireland.
Ahearne was drafted by the TIGERS in the seventh round of the 1992 amateur draft. He made his MLB debut against the NEW YORK YANKEES in 1995, giving up five runs in one inning. He appeared only in three more games and ending his short stint in the big leagues with a 0-2 record and an ERA of 11.70. He had a better track record in the Minor Leagues. In twelve seasons from High A to AAA between 1992 and 2004, he won 81 of his 275 games, posting a 4.06 ERA. After his pro-career in the United States he also pitched in Taiwan.
BALASHIKHA is placed in pool A of the European Cup in Grosseto, Italy. They will face T&A SAN MARINO, MAINZ ATHLETICS, and the MARLINS PUERTO CRUZ. In the second pool, MONTEPASCHI GROSSETO, CORENDON KINHEIM, ROUEN HUSKIES and ROYAL GREYS will play for the other two spots in the semifinals.