Ziggy

Former 1st round draft pick and THE player that marked a major shift in the Penguins’ philosophy toward pitching-first, Fred “Ziggy” Zeigenheimlich has announced his retirement from APBA. Ziggy, the player Dan Patrick knew he wanted when hired by the Penguins, was the first piece in the Penguin renaissance that ultimately lead to the “Year of the Penguin” in 2000. In 1995, the Penguins were coming off a legendary year with current hall of famers Wally Calhoun and Kenny Anderson along with still active great players like Gerald White, Jerry Tugwell, and Jason Baret. But they wanted more. They wanted to build toward something greater. So they drafted one of the shortest players in league history, Ziggy. Shortly after, the Penguins shifted to a 4 man rotation with Calhoun, Bryan Brooks, Ziggy, and Storm Morris culminating in their magical 2000 90 win season. Eventually Ziggy switched to the bullpen and became one of the game’s best closers in 2009 posting a 2.77 ERA with 25 saves for the 69 win Penguins. But Ziggy will always be remembered as a winner. He leaves the game with 170 wins. While he may not make the Hall of Fame, he certainly lived up to the career of his childhood hero, Dan Curry. Ziggy will immediately be inducted into the Penguins’ ring of honor and become the Penguins’ pitching coach. Kenny got to see Ziggy up close for many years and Kenny loves that little man. Shorty is one of the coolest cats Kenny ever met.