Philadelphia Phillies Pitcher Jeff Bittiger, 63, Passes Away Leaving Behind His Wife Alicia Bittiger And Four children
The right-hander, Jeff, made his major league debut in September 1986 with the Philadelphia Phillies and concluded his MLB career in May 1989 with the Chicago White Sox.
July 20, 2026
This article was last updated by Rohit Maharjan on July 20, 2026
A relief pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, Jeff Bittiger and his wife raised four children.
Jeff Bittiger, a pitcher who played four seasons in the major leagues and spent the last 22 years as a scout in the Athletics organization, died on Saturday, July 19, 2026, at the age of 63.
The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, a pro independent league franchise for whom Bittiger was a longtime pitcher, coach, and front office staffer, announced Saturday that he died at his home in Pennsylvania after a long battle with cancer.
The North Dakota-based RedHawks said in a ,
“Bittig will be remembered for his determination on and off the field, his love for the game of baseball and the countless players he coached and helped to greater career success,”
“Jeff spent his whole life around the game: playing, coaching, and scouting,” . “He was as good a person as he was a scout, and he was a hell of a scout. He knew pitchers inside and out and you could tell how much he loved baseball just by being around him. We’re all better for having been lucky enough to spend time with him at a game or in the draft room.”
“Gary Bittiger, Jeff’s father, instilled in him a deep respect for hard work and perseverance, shaping the man he became both on and off the mound.”
A native of Jersey City, N.J., Bittiger was selected by the New York Mets in the seventh round of the 1980 MLB Draft out of Secaucus (N.J.) High School.
His career record was 4-6 with a 4.77 ERA, 42 walks, and 53 strikeouts in 33 games (12 starts) for the Phillies (1986), Minnesota Twins (1987), and White Sox (1988-89).
Jeff Bittiger And Alicia Bittiger Were Married For Over 38 Years
A baseball pitcher, Jeff Bittiger, was married to Alicia Reinoso Bittiger in 1987.
Although Alicia stayed away from the media spotlight, she always supported Jeff in balancing his professional and personal life.
Sadly, Jeff and Alicia’s married life ended after over 38 years following the tragic death of Jeff.
Close friends and relatives have offered their heartfelt condolences and sent prayers for Alicia to stay strong during this difficult time.
Alicia was born to her late mother, Patricia Reinoso (Yacenda), and her father, Al Reinoso.
Her mother and moved to Colonia, New Jersey. She battled cancer and was a survivor for over 45 years.
Tragically, Patricia, born on August 10, 1941, passed away on August 16, 2026, at 80.
On the other hand, her father, Al, served as an assistant wrestling coach at Seton Hall University from 1968 to 1973.
Later, he became the Head Coach at Seton Hall from 1974 to 1995. As per the , he resides with his second wife, Tessa, in Asbury Park, Barcelona, Spain.
Jeff And His Wife Alicia Bittiger Were Blessed With Four Children
Jeff and his wife, Alicia Bittiger, shared four children: Amber, Brett, Brianna, and Jamie Bittiger.
Brett was drafted by the Oakland Athletics twice. Oakland fifth drafted Brett, a shortstop, out of Pius X High School in the 41st round of the 2011 draft.
He elected to attend college instead of signing a contract. After one season, he transferred to Pace University, where he started for three seasons.
Oakland selected him in the 40th round of the 2016 draft. He played briefly for Oakland’s Arizona Summer League team in 2016 before retiring from professional baseball.
Recently, Brett mourned the loss of his father, Jeff, by stating,
“He’s been battling cancer privately for years,” “He didn’t stop working until this spring, which is very much on brand for him. He cared about being great.”
“Brett was a constant presence in his father’s life, sharing a bond built on mutual respect and love for the sport.”
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Jeff’s father, Gary, worked at a chemical plant, and his mother was a secretary.
- Jeff began his baseball journey at Secaucus varsity, excelling as both a catcher and infielder before focusing on pitching.
- In November 1989, Bittiger was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for infielder Tracy Woodson.
