Al Oremus, a minority investor in the Windy City ThunderBolts (independent; Frontier League) has bought the remaining 80 percent of the team from Dan Brennan and Mike Stranczek, giving him sole ownership.
The transaction has been approved by the Frontier League.
The original owner of the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League), Oremus is a founding member of the successful Gravel Baseball program and chairman of Illinois Brick Company. In addition, he and his family were the founders and previous owners of Prairie Material ready-mix concrete company.
“There were several people interested in buying the team, but I really wanted Al Oremus because he is such a quality individual,” said Crestwood Mayor Lou Presta in a local news article. “I couldn’t be happier. That’s one of the reasons I wanted him to own the ball club. I know he is a guy who is really interested in helping the community.”
This sale ends the club’s eleven-year partnership with Dan Brennan and Mike Stranczek. They were the last two remaining partners from the original group that purchased the Cook County Cheetahs from David Arch in the winter of 2003. The group changed the team name to the ThunderBolts for the 2004 season. The ThunderBolts won two league titles, three division championships, and made the postseason four times with Stranczek and Brennan involved with the club.
“Mike Stranczek and Dan Brennan have spent countless hours and resources to keep professional baseball in the South Suburbs of Chicago. The Windy City ThunderBolts wish them well and offer our gratitude for their 11 seasons of ownership,” said ThunderBolts General Manager Mike Lucas. “The ThunderBolts are excited to grow this organization behind Al Oremus. His dedication to the game of baseball is something to look forward to and build on in Crestwood.”