Sean Moylan Sports Writer
As Director of Stadium Operations for the Trenton Thunder, part of Bordentown resident Ryan Crammer’s job is helping to create an enjoyable and safe environment for everyone who attends a Thunder game.
So, last week, when the Trenton Thunder beat Akron on the road to win their first Eastern League championship ever, Crammer and the rest of the Thunder staff worked hard in organizing last Friday’s huge victory party to celebrate the championship with the Thunder fans.
“We had a very good turnout. There were between 300 to 400 people there. It was nice,” said Crammer. “We (the Trenton Thunder) figured we hadn’t won an Eastern League title in our 14 year history so we might as well go all out.”
The Thunder provided a huge spread of tasty food for their fans and Trenton’s Mayor Doug Palmer, Thunder manager Tony Franklin and others were there to celebrate along with the fans and members of the local press. Franklin even gave a short press conference. The party was a big success.
Part of Crammer’s job description calls for him to walk the stadium grounds before and after games to make sure everything is in order. He also is in charge of selling signage for the outfield walls at Thunder Stadium. The signs at the stadium are so graphically pleasing to the eye, that it’s hard not to read the various signs between innings. Crammer also sells advertising for the Thunder’s Web site and various Thunder publications. A graduate of Villanova University, Crammer began his working career as an intern with the Thunder four years ago.
“In this industry, like any other, you have to start at the bottom,” said Crammer, who was in charge of security for the now famous Roger Clemens’ game this past spring. Ironically, Crammer is now in charge of the same Thunder’s college intern program in which he got his start. However, because his father Byron was a longtime teacher and baseball coach at Bordentown High, Crammer, himself, is a natural teacher, who works well with the interns.
Crammer and others will spend the remainder of this week “winterizing” the stadium. Then next week, he’ll begin renewing his existing sales accounts and starting some new ones. For Crammer, there is always work to be done regardless of the what time of year it is. Dignified and classy, Crammer is always a great representative for both the Thunder and the New York Yankees’ organizations. He’s also a good salesman.
“We try to accomodate everyone,” said Crammer, who has both very large and very small accounts.
Because Trenton is considered to be one of the best run ballparks in all of Double A baseball, businesses love to advertise there. Moreover, current Yankees standouts like Joba Chamberlain, Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes all played for the Thunder in the past two years. So fans flock to the stadium to cheer on the Thunder and see future major league stars.
A former baseball star at Bordentown and Villanova, Crammer has loved the game since he was a very small child. So he made sure not to miss the Thunder’s first Eastern League playoff clincher ever.
“A bunch of us went out to Akron to cheer on the team,” said Crammer, who took part in the after-game celebration following the clincher.
This year, Trenton drew over 400,000 fans for the 13th straight season.
“Drawing for the post season is tough with school starting and the football season starting. But in our last home playoff game, we drew 4,000 fans, which is good for the playoffs,” noted Crammer, who gives Jeff Hurley, the head Baseball Operations for the Thunder, a lot of credit for the club’s success this year.
Hurley works very well with Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman in coordinating who is sent up or down.
“This year we began the season at 9-0 and at one point we were 19-4. We had an amazing start,” added Crammer.
Trenton finished the regular season with a 83-59, and the strong pitching of Alan Horne (EL Pitcher of the Year), Dan McCutchen, Jeff Marquez, Tyler Clippard and others helped put them over the top.
For his efforts, Crammer will get a championship ring and he deserves it. He played a huge role in making going to a Trenton Thunder game one of the great entertainment experiences in all of New Jersey.

