Cedar Rapids Has Sent Countless Players to the Summit of Major League Baseball
Literally hundreds of minor leaguers who played for Cedar Rapids over the years have made the major leagues. Just as impressive is how many have played in the All-Star Game. Here's a look at the complete list.
Cedar Rapids has a very rich history when it comes to minor league baseball. The first team took the field in 1890, and since then Cedar Rapids has sent more than 400 players to the major leagues. It took a while for the first former Cedar Rapids player to make the ultimate for an individual player, though. It wasn't until 1940 that the first former Cedar Rapids player took the field in an all-star game. Here's the complete list of those that played in the all-star game, including how many times they made it:
A few quick notes about the above:
- Rocco "Rocky" Colavito has played in the most all-star games (9).
- Lou Boudreau is also a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and enjoyed a lengthy career as a broadcaster as well. Each season, the Cleveland Indians minor league player-of-the-year receives the Lou Boudreau Award. He also managed the Indians to the World Series title in 1948.
- Bob Brenly won the 2001 World Series title as manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks and also managed the National League in the 2002 All-Star game.
- Denis Menke is the only player above born in Iowa.
- Ken Hill's time in Cedar Rapids was very limited. He pitched here on a rehab assignment.
- Allie Reynolds did not appear in the all-star game.
Each of the Cedar Rapids players that went on to become all-stars has a signed baseball on display at the Cedar Rapids Kernels Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is adjacent to the Bimm Ridder Diamond Shop on the 3rd base side of the concourse at Veteran's Memorial Stadium. Be sure to stop in for a few minutes on your next trip to the ballpark.
The 111th season of minor league baseball begins in Cedar Rapids tonight at 6:35. Will the next Rocky Colavito, Lou Boudreau, or Mike Trout be on the field tonight? The future holds the answer, but half the fun is trying to predict the future stars yourself. That's part of the fun at the ole ballpark.