1996 Trenton Thunder Roster
Team Record: 86-56
Finished 1st in the EL's South Division
Manager: Ken Macha (86-56)
Affiliation: Boston Red Sox
Location: Trenton, New Jersey
Ballpark: ARM & HAMMER Park
Attendance: 437,446, Avg. 6,340 in 69 home dates
Playoffs - Harrisburg Senators 3 games, Trenton Thunder 1
The Trenton Thunder of the Eastern League ended the 1996 season with a record of 86 wins and 56 losses, finishing first in the league's South Division.
The Thunder scored 751 runs and surrendered 644 runs. Adam Hyzdu and Ty Woods led Trenton with 25 home runs apiece., while Todd Carey and Walt McKeel walloped 15 or more also. Adam Hyzdu drove in 80 runs. Walt McKeel paced hitters with significant playing time by hitting .302. Carl Pavano topped the team with 16 wins and a team-best 2.63 ERA, best among hurlers with significant time on the mound.
Members of the 1996 Trenton Thunder who played in Major League Baseball during their careers were Tim Naehring, Ken Grundt, Tom McGraw, Brian Rose, Brent Knackert, Ron Mahay, Erik Schullstrom, Carl Pavano, Bryan Eversgerd, Donnie Sadler, John Doherty, Adam Hyzdu, Jared Fernández, Andy Abad, Trot Nixon, Jeff Pierce, Jeff Manto, Walt McKeel, Alex Delgado, Joel Bennett, Reggie Harris, Lou Merloni and Brian Barkley.
Ken Macha served as manager.Click on column headings to sort.
| Player | Bats | Throws | Birth Date | Height | Weight | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andy Abad | L | L | August 25, 1972 | 6'1" | 184 | Palm Beach, FL US |
| Chris Allison | R | R | October 22, 1971 | 5'10" | 165 | Rock Island, IL US |
| Brian Barkley | L | L | December 8, 1975 | 6'2" | 180 | Conroe, TX US |
| Joel Bennett | R | R | January 31, 1970 | 6'1" | 160 | Binghamton, NY US |
| Rick Betti | R | L | September 16, 1973 | 5'11" | 170 | Natick, MA US |
| Mike Blais | R | R | October 2, 1971 | 6'5" | 226 | Norwich, CT US |
| Richie Borrero | R | R | January 5, 1973 | 6'1" | 195 | Mayaguez, PR |
| Randy Brown | R | R | May 1, 1970 | 5'11" | 160 | Dallas, TX US |
| Todd Carey | L | R | August 14, 1971 | 6'1" | 180 | Lynn, MA US |
| Brett Cederblad | S | R | March 6, 1973 | 6'5" | 195 | Sydney, New South Wales AU |
| Dan Collier | R | R | August 13, 1970 | 6'3" | 200 | Ozark, AR US |
| Kevin Coughlin | L | L | September 7, 1970 | 6'0" | 175 | Wheaton, MD US |
| Alex Delgado | R | R | January 11, 1971 | 6'0" | 195 | Palmarejo, Zulia VE |
| John Doherty | R | R | June 11, 1967 | 6'4" | 190 | Bronx, NY US |
| Scott Emerson | S | L | December 22, 1971 | 6'5" | 195 | Baltimore, MD US |
| Bryan Eversgerd | R | L | February 11, 1969 | 6'1" | 190 | Centralia, IL US |
| Jared Fernández | R | R | February 2, 1972 | 6'2" | 223 | Salt Lake City, UT US |
| Ken Grundt | L | L | August 26, 1969 | 6'4" | 195 | Melrose Park, IL US |
| Reggie Harris | R | R | August 12, 1968 | 6'1" | 180 | Waynesboro, VA US |
| Doug Hecker | R | R | January 21, 1971 | 6'4" | 210 | Syosset, NY US |
| Rickey Holifield | L | L | March 25, 1970 | 6'2" | 165 | Bronx, NY US |
| Adam Hyzdu | R | R | December 6, 1971 | 6'2" | 210 | San Jose, CA US |
| Gavin Jackson | R | R | July 19, 1973 | 5'10" | 170 | Sylvester, GA US |
| Brent Knackert | R | R | August 1, 1969 | 6'3" | 185 | Los Angeles, CA US |
| Dana Levangie | R | R | August 11, 1969 | 5'10" | 185 | Whitman, MA US |
| Ron Mahay | L | L | June 28, 1971 | 6'2" | 200 | Crestwood, IL US |
| Jeff Manto | R | R | August 23, 1964 | 6'3" | 210 | Bristol, PA US |
| Tom McGraw | L | L | December 8, 1967 | 6'2" | 195 | Portland, OR US |
| Walt McKeel | R | R | January 17, 1972 | 6'2" | 200 | Wilson, NC US |
| Lou Merloni | R | R | April 6, 1971 | 5'10" | 188 | Framingham, MA US |
| Ethan Merrill | L | L | April 21, 1972 | 6'3" | 200 | Burlington, VT US |
| Tim Naehring | R | R | February 1, 1967 | 6'2" | 190 | Cincinnati, OH US |
| Trot Nixon | L | L | April 11, 1974 | 6'1" | 195 | Durham, NC US |
| Nick Ortiz | R | R | July 9, 1973 | 6'0" | 180 | Cidra, PR |
| Greg Patton | R | R | March 8, 1972 | 6'4" | 190 | Orange, CA US |
| Carl Pavano | R | R | January 8, 1976 | 6'5" | 265 | New Britain, CT US |
| Jeff Pierce | R | R | June 7, 1969 | 6'1" | 187 | Poughkeepsie, NY US |
| Paul Rappoli | L | R | October 4, 1971 | 6'1" | 195 | |
| Scott Romano | R | R | August 3, 1971 | 6'1" | 185 | Tampa, FL US |
| Brian Rose | R | R | February 13, 1976 | 6'3" | 215 | New Bedford, MA US |
| Donnie Sadler | R | R | June 17, 1975 | 5'6" | 165 | Clifton, TX US |
| Erik Schullstrom | R | R | March 25, 1969 | 6'5" | 220 | San Diego, CA US |
| Shawn Senior | L | L | March 17, 1972 | 6'1" | 195 | |
| Ty Woods | R | R | August 19, 1969 | 6'1" | 190 | Dade City, FL US |
Average attendance is based upon the number of actual home dates where known (most leagues from 1992 and later). Where the number of home dates is not known, the average is calculated using half the team's total games.
