MOOSIC — The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders announced the addition of Pittston resident Andy Ashby to their ownership group Wednesday afternoon at PNC Field.

Former all-star pitcher Andy Ashby led the group along with Charles Cohen, managing director and owner of Benco Dental Company, and Steve Somers, president and owner of Vigon International.

Along with his ownership role, Ashby will be the local ambassador for the Triple-A National Championship Game, which the RailRiders will host Sept. 19, 2017, with New York Yankees legend Reggie Jackson. Mr. October will be the national ambassador of the game.

“When we talk about bringing in good people and people who can make a difference, this is an awesome opportunity when local ownership formed this partnership and talked to Andy about getting involved,” Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders chief operating officer Josh Olerud said. “I think it’s really endless what we can do with him.

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“Like you guys just talked to him, ‘What’s our goal?’ I think it’s really to help brand the organization, tap into his baseball knowledge, into his resources and start building it from the ground up.”

Ashby, who played for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons in 1991 and 1992, always wanted to return to baseball. A chance to latch on with the New York Yankees organization was an opportunity Ashby couldn’t pass up.

“I talked to my wife and she was like, ‘Ownership? Are you ready for that?’ And I was like, ‘I don’t know, but how do you know until you try it,’ ” Ashby said. “It’s an honor for me to be a part of this. Being here 25 years ago, it’s changed a lot, but for the better. I enjoyed it, the people were great.

“But we need to make sure people come to the ballpark, they fill these seats up and enjoy it the same way (us owners) enjoy it, being part of it. Because we do it for them.”

The former big-league pitcher sees this opportunity as something more than just a place to invest his money. Ashby wants to help grow the organization in any way possible. Whether it’s with on-field performance or fan interaction, the former Philadelphia Phillies, Colorado Rockies, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher is ready to go the extra mile.

Pittston resident Andy Ashby was recently named to the ownership ground of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Ashby, center, huddles with his family on the mound at PNC Field in Moosic in 2014. From left, daughters Ashton and Madison, wife Tracy, and daughters Eastin and Taryn.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_SD_Ashbys_3.jpgPittston resident Andy Ashby was recently named to the ownership ground of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Ashby, center, huddles with his family on the mound at PNC Field in Moosic in 2014. From left, daughters Ashton and Madison, wife Tracy, and daughters Eastin and Taryn. Bill Tarutis File Photo | For Sunday Dispatch

By DJ Eberle

djeberle@timesleader.com

Reach DJ Eberle at 570-991-6398 or on Twitter @ByDJEberle