(Trenton, NJ) – Your Trenton Thunder are happy to welcome another familiar face to their coaching staff in Matt Sweeney. A 2001 Draft pick by the Philadelphia Phillies and graduate of Steinert High School, Sweeney has continued to leave his mark on the game within the local scene as a coach for the Trenton Thunder Baseball Academy. The lifelong Hamilton Township resident made the transition to coaching after playing eight seasons of professional baseball and pitching 724 innings.
Matt has coached youth national baseball teams and is a co-founder of the Central Jersey Rebels and Trenton Thunder Baseball Academy, developing talent in the surrounding areas for players ages six to 17 years old. With first half Coach Shawn Chacon and his wife expecting a baby in the coming month, Sweeney was a perfect fit for the job in the second half. Having worked with Manager Jeff Manto in the past, Matt applies a similar coaching strategy on the hill in terms of simplifying the game and emphasizing routine.
Across his eight seasons of professional baseball, Matt played six seasons with the Phillies and pitched as high as class AA for the Reading Phillies. Sweeney also played for the Newark Bears and Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League, and the Salem Avalanche of the Carolina League before retiring in 2009. The first-year pitching coach adds more depth to the Thunder coaching staff with his pitching background at the professional level.
Your First Half Champion Thunder return to action Friday July 7th at 7:00 PM as they open a three-game series with the West Virginia Black Bears. Come out to Trenton Thunder Ballpark for Hawaiian Friday and Hawaiian Shirt Giveaway to the first 1,030 fans ages 18 and up, presented by Liberty Coke! To purchase tickets, call (609)-394-3300, Opt 4 or visit trentonthunder.com.
New Jersey's Baseball Team | Big League Futures. Major League Fun.
The Trenton Thunder have drawn over 10 million fans over 30 years and have won the three major awards that Minor League Baseball teams can win; the Johnson Trophy for the "Nation's Best Franchise", the Larry MacPhail Trophy for Outstanding Club Promotion, and the Bob Frietas Award for Long-Term Success (Given by Baseball America). The team has given back over $8 million worth of goods, services, and monetary donations through Trenton Thunder Charities, under the Grand Slam We Care Foundation umbrella. The Thunder can be found online at trentonthunder.com
