Ducks ace John Brownell back for sixth season on Long Island
(Central Islip, N.Y., March 7, 2017) – The three-time Atlantic League champion Long Island Ducks today announced the signing of right-handed pitcher John Brownell. He enters his sixth season with the Ducks and 12th in professional baseball.
“John has become the greatest pitcher in team history through hard work and dedication to his craft,” said Ducks President/GM Michael Pfaff. “He has been a model of consistency and success while also demonstrating all the qualities we expect of those who wear the uniform.”
Brownell has spent the past four full seasons with Long Island as well as part of the 2012 campaign. He is the all-time franchise leader in wins (46), games started (109), innings pitched (729.1) and strikeouts (571), surpassing Randy Leek (2007-10) in each category. In addition, the 33-year-old is the team’s single season record holder in strikeouts (147; 2016), innings pitched (202.0; 2014), complete games (7; 2013) and games started (29; 2014). He has compiled a 46-35 record with a 3.62 ERA, 22 complete games and five shutouts with Long Island.
In 2016, the Omaha resident led the Atlantic League with six complete games while ranking second in innings pitched (169.0), third in strikeouts (147), fifth in games started (25) and sixth in ERA (3.30). After going 10-8 in the regular season, he started two postseason games and allowed just three runs in 11 and two-thirds innings. The righty earned the win in Long Island’s decisive Game Five victory over the Somerset Patriots to clinch the franchise’s fourth Liberty Division title in six seasons.
Brownell received Atlantic League Pitcher of the Year honors in 2015, becoming just the second player in team history to earn the honor (Mike Loree, 2011). That year, he led the league in wins (12), innings pitched (175.2), complete games (4), shutouts (2) and strikeouts (146) while ranking second in games started (26) and fifth in ERA (3.38). Prior to that, the former Philadelphia Phillies draft pick helped the Ducks win back-to-back Atlantic League championships in 2012 and 2013. He was named Championship Series MVP of the latter after winning all three of his playoff starts, including the winner-take-all Game Five of the Championship Series at Somerset.
“It has been a blessing to be a part of the Ducks organization and its winning tradition,” said Brownell. “Not only has the team been great, but the fans have too. They are second to none and have made it feel like my second home.”
The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark. For further information, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit www.liducks.com.
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 36 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 800 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15{2db62e8169997a8d599beca7d6013ac1e46056278d69ddd3df039f4c0be21f7d} of the US population.
For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.
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