In yet another super-star signing, #27 Tim Atherton has agreed to re-sign with the Bandits for another ABL season, and we are pumped! The latest Viticon Player Announcement.
The tall, powerful, right-handed pitcher will be entering his 5th season as a Bandit. He was a huge part of the Bandits 2017/18 and 2018/19 championships, becoming the first player to be named twice ABLCS MVP.
Tim has done time in the MLB with the Minnesota Twins and Oakland Athletics minor league teams, and was about to be signed with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2017 when he was unfortunately hit by a truck which hyper-extended his elbow. After a difficult rehab, he began his comeback with the Bandits later that year.
Born in Kempsey, NSW, Atherton was also a member of the Australia National Baseball Team in the Australia Series, Australian Challenge, 2016 Haarlem Baseball Week, 2017 World Baseball Classic, 2018 exhibition series against Japan, and 2019 WBSC Premier12 (where he started opening day against Korea).
Tim is a big, welcome presence on the field and off. He’s one of those players whose leadership, talent, and experience motivate other players and baseball’s future generation to fight hard and never quit. The Bandits are thrilled to have him with us as we push towards our next Claxton Shield.