November 2012
Atlanta Braves acquire Jordan Walden (2008) in exchange for Tommy Hanson
The Atlanta Braves acquired Jordan Walden (Cedar Rapids Kernels – 2008) from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for starting pitcher Tommy Hanson. Walden has posted a 8-8 record with 34 saves and a 3.03 E.R.A. over three seasons in the Angels bullpen. He was 3-2 with one save and a 3.46 E.R.A. in 2012. Walden was selected to the American League All-Star squad in 2011 as a rookie and finished seventh in the Rookie of the Year voting.
Jordan Walden posted a 4-6 record and a 2.18 E.R.A. in 18 starts for Cedar Rapids in 2008. Walden struck out 91 batters in 107 1/3 innings of work. Cedar Rapids finished the season with a 72-66 record under manager Keith Johnson. The Kernels topped Clinton in the first round of the Midwest League Playoffs before falling to Burlington in the semifinals.
Cedar Rapids Hot Stove Banquet set for January 17th featuring Twins Winter Caravan
The 17th Annual Cedar Rapids Kernels Hot Stove Banquet will be held on Thursday, January 17, 2013 at the Cedar Rapids Marriott Hotel.
The 17th Annual Hot Stove Banquet will include a silent auction featuring sports memorabilia and local items, the first Cedar Rapids appearance of the Minnesota Twins Winter Caravan as well as the induction of the Class of 2013 into the Cedar Rapids Baseball Hall of Fame. This year’s Hall of Fame Class includes Alex Monchak, Pat Harmon, Casey Kotchman, Trevor Hoffman and Jim Curran.
This is the first time the Minnesota Twins Winter Caravan has visited Cedar Rapids and will feature Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, bench coach Terry Steinbach, Twins mascot TC Bear, and Twins outfielder Ben Revere. A roundtable discussion with Q&A sessions and autographs will be conducted by Dick Bremer, the Twins play-by-play broadcaster on Fox Sports North.
This date in Kernels alumni history – November 29, 1966 – Ron Hunt
On November 29, 1966, the Los Angeles Dodgers traded two-time batting champ Tommy Davis and Derrell Griffith to the New York Mets to acquire Ron Hunt (Cedar Rapids Braves 1960-1961) and Jim Hickman.
Ron Hunt hit .273 with 39 HR and 370 RBI during his 12 year career playing for the Mets, Dodgers, Giants aned Expos. The two-time all-star was hit by pitches more often than anyone during his playing days.
This date in Kernels alumni history – November 28, 1956 – Kerby Farrell
On November 28, 1956, Kerby Farrell (Cedar Rapids Indians - 1951) was selected to replace Al Lopez as the Cleveland Indians manager. The Indians went 76-77 in 1957 in a season plagued by injuries. Farrell managed 22 seasons in the minors and was named the Sporting News minor league manager of the year three times, more than any other manager in history.
This date in Kernels alumni history – November 27, 1950 – Lou Boudreau
On November 27, 1950, Lou Boudreau (Cedar Rapids Raiders – 1938) signed a two-year deal with the Boston Red Sox for $150,000. Boudreau hit .267 and led the Red Sox to a 76-78 record in 1951. They improved to 84-69 in 1952 before finishing 69-85 in his final year managing the team in 1953. He later managed the Athletics and the Cubs.
This date in Kernels alumni history – November 26, 2012 – Cubs hire Rob Deer as assistant hitting coach
The Chicago Cubs have announced the hiring of Rob Deer (Cedar Rapids Giant – 1979) as their assistant hitting coach. Deer was a teammate of Cubs skipper Dale Sveum when each played for the Milwaukee Brewers from 1986-90. Rob Deer hit .220 with 230 HR and 600 RBI during his 11 season career playing for the Giants, Brewers, Tigers, Red Sox and Padres.
Rob Deer hit .209 with 1 HR and 16 RBI in 29 games as the 1979 Cedar Rapids Giants finished 58-78 under manager Wayne Cato.
This date in Kernels alumni history – November 25, 1941 – Lou Boudreau
On November 25, 1941, Lou Boudreau (Cedar Rapids Raiders – 1938) was selected to manager the Cleveland Indians becoming the youngest manager this century. Boudreau compiled a .529 winning percentage as the Indians manager and led the team to the 1948 World Series championship. He went on to manage the Red Sox, Athletics and Cubs.
Lou Boudreau hit .295 with 68 HR and 796 RBI in his 15 year career with the Indians and the Red Sox.
This date in Kernels alumni history – November 19, 2008 – Don Wakamatsu
On November 19, 2008, Don Wakamatsu (Cedar Rapids Reds – 1987) was hired by the Seattle Mariners and became the first Asian American manager in Major League history. The Mariners compiled a 127-147 record under Wakamatsu from 2009-2010.
Don Wakamatsu hit .226 in 18 games playing for the Chicago White Sox in 1991.
Don Wakamatsu was part of the 1987 Cedar Rapids Reds team that finished 70-70 under manager Paul Kirsch.
This date in Kernels alumni history – November 18, 1954 – Lou Boudreau
On November 18, 1954, Lou Boudreau (Cedar Rapids Raiders – 1938) was hired by the Kansas City Athletics to be their manager for the 1955 season, their first since the move from Philadelphia. The Athletics compiled a 151-260 record under Boudreau from 1955-57.
Lou Boudreau hit .295 with 68 HR and 796 RBI in his 15 year career with the Indians and the Red Sox.
This date in Kernels alumni history – November 17, 1992 – MLB Expansion Draft
The 1992 MLB Expansion Draft was held in New York City on November 17, 1992 to supply players to the Florida Marlins and the Colorado Rockies for their Major League rosters for the upcoming 1993 season. David Nied was selected by the Rockies and Nigel Wilson was the Marlins first pick. Four Cedar Rapids Professional Baseball alumni were selected during the three rounds of the expansion draft.
Seth Dohrn
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