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In 1995, the Boston Red Sox took occupancy of Waterfront Park as the Thunder began their second season in Trenton. The affiliation with Boston brought with it an influx of former Number 1 draft picks. Nomar Garciaparra, a slick-fielding shortstop, anchored the top of the Thunder order from Opening Day to the final game. Pork Chop Pough filled the role of clean-up hitter, filling the void left by Tony Clark in 1994.
Garciaparra set the franchise records for at-bats with 513, runs scored with 77, and stolen bases with 35. In 125 games with Trenton, Garciaparra hit .267 with eight home runs and 47 RBIs. Pough also had an accomplished year in Trenton, knocking in 69 runs, and hitting 21 home runs, before earning a promotion to Triple-A Pawtucket. Not only did these players lead the team, but a Thunder player nearly won the batting title in 1995. First basemen Ryan McGuire finished the season with a .333 average, second only to Binghamton’s Jay Payton. In addition to his stellar average, McGuire hit seven home runs, had 59 RBIs, and led the team with 138 hits.
With the power and leadership of the aforementioned players, the Thunder enjoyed tremendous success offensively under manager Ken Macha. The pitching staff was equally as impressive and one of the richest in talent the Eastern League had to offer. Led by lefty Rafael Orellano and right-handers Jeff Supan and Joe Hudson, Thunder pitchers finished with an ERA of 3.77. Orellano and teammate Shawn Senior, a New Jersey native, tallied 11 wins a piece, while Suppan became the first Thunder pitcher to start a game at the Major League level. Hudson, also a New Jersey native, joined Suppan in the Major Leagues after securing eight saves in limited action with the team.
The 1995 Trenton Thunder baseball season came to a close on September 7 with a 12-5 loss to the Reading Phillies in the first round of the Eastern League playoffs. The three-games-to-none submission to the eventual Eastern League Champions was swift and convincing, but Thunder fans witnessed tremendous individual and team talent. It marked the first time the Thunder had reached the post-season and caused all fans to look toward 1996.
At the close of the second season of Thunder baseball, manager Ken Macha summed up the stride the team had made. “If you appreciate good baseball, then I think you’ve gotten your money’s worth out of this team. If you don’t think you’ve gotten your money’s worth, I don’t know when you will. The team boasted three All-Stars in Garciaparra, Pough, and Orellano, while the Thunder finished with a 73-69 record during the regular season.
