Former Bradley standout Mike Dunne starts his ninth season as pitching coach for the Braves, offering a wealth of experience at the college, international and professional levels.
Dunne toed the rubber at Bradley from 1982 to 1984 and his name still can be found throughout the school’s record book. The 1984 Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year, Dunne equalled Bradley’s school record with 10 complete games during his junior season (the record is now 12 by Doug Robertson in 1996). In his three-year career, Dunne tossed 25 complete games (tied for second) and won 19 games (tied for sixth). During The Valley’s 100-year anniversary season in 2007, Dunne was voted to the league’s All-Centennial Team.
The second Bradley player ever selected in the first round of the Major League Baseball June draft, following Jim Lindeman in 1983, Dunne was chosen by the St. Louis Cardinals after his junior season in 1984. But before reporting to the Cardinals, Dunne represented his country, helping USA Baseball to a silver medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Following three seasons in the Cardinals minor league system, Dunne first broke into the Major Leagues in 1987 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Dunne was named The Sporting News 1987 National League Rookie Pitcher of the Year and finished second to Benito Santiago in Rookie-of-the-Year voting. His five-year Major League career included two-and-a-half seasons with the Pirates (1987-89), the remainder of the 1989 season with the Seattle Mariners and one season each with the San Diego Padres (1990) and the Chicago White Sox (1992). In those five seasons, Dunne compiled a 25-30 record with a 4.08 earned run average. He boasts seven career complete games and one shutout as a Major Leaguer.
In recognition of his stellar playing career Dunne became the third individual to have his Bradley uniform number (11) retired during a pregame ceremony May 11, 2007 at O’Brien Field. His number currently is displayed on the O’Brien Field right fall wall alongside those of Kirby Puckett (14) and Leo Schrall (2).
Since ending his professional playing career, Dunne has returned to Peoria and is active in the local recreation scene. In addition to coaching youth basketball and baseball, Dunne’s major project is the construction of an 80-acre, multi-sport, indoor/outdoor recreation facility that would house nine baseball and softball fields, as many as 12 soccer fields and several basketball and volleyball courts.
Since Dunne joined the Bradley coaching staff, eight Braves pitchers and three catchers have signed professional contracts. Collin Walker was a first-team All-MVC pick in 2005 and Brandon Magee followed as a first-team all-conference selection in 2006. Of the 11 pitchers and catchers to pursue professional careers following Dunne’s tutelage at Bradley, four are still chasing their dreams entering the 2008 season:
? Michael Christl (Chicago Cubs system)
? Ryan Eigsti (Kansas City Royals)
? Brandon Magee (Toronto Blue Jays)
? Brock Till (Cincinnati Reds)
Dunne is married to the former Pam Stroup and the couple has three children: daughter Kelli (17) and sons Jordan (15) and Ryan (13).
The Mike Dunne File
Education
Bradley: B.S. 1985
Coaching Experience
Bradley (2000-Present)
? Begins his ninth season as the team’s pitching coach
Major League Career
? Selected in the first round of the 1984 MLB June Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals
? Broke into the Majors in 1987 with the Pittsburgh Pirates and was The Sporting News National League Rookie Pitcher of the Year
? Enjoyed a five-year MLB pitching career with the Pirates (1987-89), Mariners (1989), Padres (1990) and White Sox (1991)
USA Baseball
? Helped the United States to a silver medal at the 1984 Olympic games in Los Angeles