Chatham Anglers Name Dennis Cook As Next Manager
by Chatham Athletic Association
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
The Chatham Anglers have named Dennis Cook manager for the 2025 Cape Cod Baseball League season.
Cook, a 15-year MLB veteran, was the Anglers' pitching coach from 2018 to 2022. In addition, he has managed several European national teams, served as the Northwestern University pitching coach and was selected as the initial manager for the Abu Dhabi-based Falcons in the new Middle East/Indian-subcontinent professional baseball league.
Cook, 62, follows Jeremy Sheetinger, who left in the middle of the season for personal reasons. Chatham Athletic Association President Steve West expressed his pleasure with Cook as the replacement.
“We were impressed with Dennis’s approach during his first tenure in Chatham,” West said. “He knows the league, he knows Chatham, he knows what we expect of a manager. We believe he will be a great fit and just the right person to lead the Anglers into the future.”
Cook comes into the job with enthusiasm and high expectations.
“I’m really excited to be back in Chatham as the manager,” he said. “Chatham is a first-class organization with high-quality people in charge. I look forward to putting together a highly competitive team for loyal Angler fans.”
General Manager Mike Geylin has no doubt in Cook’s ability to deliver, based upon the way the coach had gone about his business during his first time on the Cape.
“I was very impressed with Dennis’s professional approach to his role during his initial time in Chatham,” Geylin said. “The players responded well to his methods and respected his knowledge, understanding of the game and his experience in living a baseball life, which is the dream many of them come with to Chatham. His resume creates a solid foundation for this respect, and Dennis’s actions reinforce it.”
During his Major-League career from 1988 to 2002, Cook appeared in two World Series and nine total postseason series — and compiled a perfect 0.00 ERA with a 0.98 WHIP.
In addition, playing at times in the pre-DH National League, he hit .264 with two home runs, and was considered the best hitting relief pitcher of his era. He was lauded more for his hitting capabilities than his pitching prowess during his first years as an undergraduate at the University of Texas.
“So, anyone who questions his ability to manage the entire team – pitching and position players – does not know the full story of Dennis Cook,” Geylin added. “I think we will all enjoy watching this next chapter develop.”