Where the Stars of Tomorrow Shine Tonight!

Article By: Kaileigh Grieb

All of the Cape Cod Baseball League teams pride themselves on giving back and honoring those who have created a lasting impact on the community.

This past Red Shirt Friday, a day dedicated to honor those who have or currently serve our country, the Brewster Whitecaps honored their own Mass State Lottery Hero of the Game, A.J. Rathbun.

A.J. Rathbun, a Baseball Analytic intern, has been involved with every aspect of the Brewster Whitecaps this 2023 season.
He creates in-depth scouting reports for the coaches and players to help have an analytical advantage in their games. As well as track pitching reports to help development of the Whitecap players.

Serving in the United States Coast Guard for four years, Rathbun was a Petty Officer Third Class with the rating of Culinary Specialist and Cutter Surface Swimmer. He served on the U.S.C.G.C. Spencer ported in Boston, MA for 4 years. The Spencers main mission was Drug Interdiction and Search and Rescue. Rathbun helped the Spencer in their operations, seizing over 1 billion dollars in counterfeit drugs. Rathbun was in charge of keeping over 200 thousand dollars worth of food stores, as well as being the Cutter Surface Swimmer which would include situations of man overboard or other situations.

At the end of his Coast Guard career he was awarded with the United States Coast Guard Achievement Medal, for his contributions on the cutter.

“Just like the game of baseball, where teamwork prevails, the Coast Guard embodies those same values. It is a privilege to have served for the people and I’m honored to be a part of such a great baseball organization,” said Rathbun when asked to reflect on the ceremony.

After separating from the Coast Guard in 2022, Rathbun attended Herkimer College in upstate NY where he would play baseball, coached by his father Jason Rathbun, who also served in the U.S Army and is a former Brewster Whitecap pitching coach.

“It was an incredible feeling to be honored at the game the other night, knowing that my dad was honored last year. It was very special to be shined in the same spotlight as him”

He will be attending the University of Georgia in the fall to help the baseball program with their analytics.

Every Friday throughout the summer season, every home team will honor Mass St. Lottery Hero as a way to recognize heroes in our community.