Results tagged ‘ Cedar Rapids Gazette ’
This Date in Cedar Rapids Professional Baseball – August 7, 1997 – Ramon Ortiz No-Hits Quad Cities. Kernels win 12-0
On August 7, 1997, Ramon Ortiz pitched a complete game no-hitter against the Quad Cities River Bandits as the Kernels won 12-0 at John O’Donnell Stadium. Ortiz faced one over the minimum number of batters and struck out 14 without issuing a walk. The River Bandits managed just two base runners, each reaching by errors, in the contest. Rob Sasser, Shawn Wooten and Jeff Guiel each homered for the Kernels.
Ramon Ortiz has compiled a 86-84 record in 11 MLB seasons pitching for the Angels, Reds, Nations, Twins, Rockies, Dodgers and Cubs. Ortiz posted a 1-2 mark with a 4.86 E.R.A. in 22 games for the Chicago Cubs in 2011. He has a 9-5 record with a 3.20 E.R.A. in 22 starts for the the Scranton / Wilkes-Barre Yankees (AAA) in 2012.
This following article was published in the August 8, 1997 edition of the Cedar Rapids Gazette. It contained coverage of a Midwest League contest against the Quad Cities River Bandits held on August 7, 1997. The 1997 Cedar Rapids Kernels featured five players who played in Major League baseball after their time in Cedar Rapids (Ramon Ortiz, Brandon Puffer, Jerrod Riggan, Rob Sasser and Shawn Wooten). The 1997 Cedar Rapids Kernels posted a 62-76 record under manager Mario Mendoza’s guidance.
This Date in Cedar Rapids Professional Baseball – August 7, 1957 – Deane Mink No-Hits Keokuk. Raiders win 2-0
On August 7, 1957, Deane Mink pitched the first no-hitter at Veterans Memorial Stadium to lead the Cedar Rapids Raiders to a 2-0 win over the Keokuk Kernels. Mink struck out eight batters and walked one batter in seven innings of work in game one of the day’s doubleheader. Hal Holderfield made a great catch with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to preserve the no hitter and Mink was mobbed at the mound by celebrating teammates. Holderfield also factored into both of the Raiders’ runs in the victory. He hit a RBI double in the bottom of the sixth and scored a run on Jim Koranda‘s sac fly. Deane Mink posted a 8-12 record with a 4.56 E.R.A. in 23 games with the Raiders in 1957.
This following article was written by Gus Schrader and published in the August 8, 1957 edition of the Cedar Rapids Gazette. It contained coverage of a Three-I League contest against the Keokuk Kernels held on August 7, 1957. The 1957 Cedar Rapids Raiders, a Brooklyn Dodgers affiliate, featured three players who played in Major League baseball after their time in Cedar Rapids (Tim Harkness, Rod Miller and Jack Smith). The 1957 Cedar Rapids Raiders posted a 49-79 record under manager Danny Ozark’s guidance. Ozark went on to manage in the majors with the Phillies and Giants.
This Date in Cedar Rapids Professional Baseball – August 6, 1954 – Dick Drott wins CG, Art Pennington extends hitting streak to 12 games
On August 6, 1954, Dick Drott pitched a complete game to lead the Cedar Rapids Indians to a 5-1 victory snapping the Waterloo White Hawks seven game winning streak. Drott struck out seven batters while allowing one run on four hits and four walks to improve to 4-3 on the season. Art Pennington, the Indians power hitting outfielder, tallied a pair of singles to extend his hitting streak to 12 games.
Dick Drott went on to play for the Chicago Cubs and Houston Colt .45′s during his seven year MLB career. Drott compiled a 27-46 record with a 4.78 E.R.A. He finished third in the 1957 Rookie of Year voting posting a 15-11 record with 3 shutouts and a 3.58 E.R.A. during his rookie season.
Art Pennington, a long-time resident of Cedar Rapids, played for the 1953 and 1954 Cedar Rapids Indians squads. Pennington hit .345 with 16 HR in 1954. He had played for the Chicago American Giants and the Birmingham Black Barons in the Negro Leagues between 1941-45.
This following article was published in the August 7, 1954 edition of the Cedar Rapids Gazette. It contained coverage of a Three-I League contest against the Waterloo White Hawks held on August 6, 1954. The 1954 Cedar Rapids Indians featured three players who played in Major League baseball before or after their time in Cedar Rapids (Bob Anderson, Dick Drott and Al Unser). The 1954 Cedar Rapids Indians posted a 63-72 record under manager Billy Prince’s guidance.
This Date in Cedar Rapids Professional Baseball – August 2, 1972 – Gary Trumbauer No-Hits Burlington, but loses 1-0
On August 2, 1972, Gary Trumbauer pitched a complete game no-hitter, but the Cedar Rapids Cardinals fell 1-0 to the Burlington Bees. It was the third no-hitter thrown by a Cedar Rapids pitcher since joining the Midwest League in 1962. Trumbauer struck out five batters while allowing five walks in the loss. The Cardinals tallied 10 hits in the game but could not push a run across the plate to support Trumbauer’s effort. This is the only no-hitter thrown by a Cedar Rapids pitcher in the Midwest League that resulted in a loss. The article also mentions the arrival of Larry Herndon, who went on to play in the big leagues with the Cardinals, Giants and Tigers.
This following article was published in the August 3, 1972 edition of the Cedar Rapids Gazette. It contained coverage of a Midwest League contest against the Burlington Bees held on August 2, 1972. The 1972 Cedar Rapids Cardinals featured four players who played in Major League baseball after their time in Cedar Rapids (Hector Cruz, Larry Herndon, Jerry Mumphrey and Mike Vail). The 1972 Cedar Rapids Astros posted a 51-77 record under manager Gary Geiger’s guidance.
This Date in Cedar Rapids Professional Baseball – July 29, 1967 – Jerry Reuss Earns 1st professional win
On July 29, 1967, the Cedar Rapids Cardinals defeated the Clinton Pilots 11-0 as Jerry Reuss earned his first professional victory with a two-hit shutout. Reuss, the Cardinals second round pick in the 1967 amateur draft (Ted Simmons was their first rounder that year), struck out 12 and walked only one batter in the opening game of a doubleheader. Raul Guerrero supplied the offense with a grand slam in the third inning and Ted Simmons went 3-4 with three RBI. The Cardinals rallied in game two with a three-run sixth inning to sweep the day’s games with a 4-2 victory. Ted Simmons was 1-3 with a RBI single in the three-run sixth.
This following article was published in the July 30, 1967 edition of the Cedar Rapids Gazette. It contained coverage of a Midwest League contest against the Clinton Pilots held on July 29, 1967. The 1967 Cedar Rapids Cardinals featured five players who played in Major League baseball after their time in Cedar Rapids (Bob Chlupsa, Jerry Reuss, Bob Schaefer, Ted Simmons and Jack Whillock). The 1967 Cedar Rapids Cardinals posted a 53-67 record to finish 8th in the Midwest league under manager Jack Krol.
This Date in Cedar Rapids Professional Baseball – July 25, 1973 – Robert Dean & Paulo DeLeon No-Hit Danville
On July 25, 1973, Robert Dean and Paulo DeLeon combined to pitch Cedar Rapids’ fourth no-hitter since joining the Midwest League. Dean opened the game with two scoreless innings allowing a pair of walks. DeLeon entered in the third and struck out four batters while walking three in five scoreless frames to earn the win as the Cedar Rapids Astros topped the Danville Warriors 6-0. Steve Englishbey supplied the offense with a three-run HR in the fourth inning. Cedar Rapids Professional Baseball Hall of Famer Fred Mims had an RBI triple in the first inning to give the Astros an early edge. Rain forced the postponement of the second game of the scheduled double header. The article also mentions the arrival of new pitcher Mike Stanton, who went on to play in the big leagues with the Astros, Indians, Mariners and White Sox.
This following article was published in the July 26, 1973 edition of the Cedar Rapids Gazette. It contained coverage of a Midwest League contest against the Danville Warriors held on July 25, 1973. The 1973 Cedar Rapids Astros featured six players who played in Major League baseball after their time in Cedar Rapids (Art Gardner, Al Javier, Luis Sanchez, Jose Sosa, Mike Stanton and Rick Williams). The 1973 Cedar Rapids Astros posted a 61-60 record under manager Leo Posada’s guidance.
This Date in Cedar Rapids Professional Baseball – July 18, 1961 – Barry Morgan hero again with final hit
Three members of the 1961 Cedar Rapids Braves team will be returning to Perfect Game Field tonight for our Hall of Fame / Alumni night at the stadium. Ron Hunt (National League All-Star – 1964, 1966), Barry Morgan and Paul Snyder will all be in attendance to take part in the pre-game festivities and sign autographs on the concourse. Today just happens to line up with another Cedar Rapids Braves win back in 1961. The Braves topped the Fox Cities Foxes 5-4 behind Barry Morgan’s league leading 16th HR of the season and a walk off single in the bottom of the ninth which extended his hitting streak to 18 games. Paul Snyder added a pair of hits and had hit safely in 21 of 22 games at that point of the season. Ron Hunt was 1-5 at the plate and scored the winning run in the Braves victory.
This following article was written by Gus Schrader and was published in the July 19, 1961 edition of the Cedar Rapids Gazette. It contained coverage of a Three-I League contest against the Fox Cities Foxes held on July 18, 1961. The 1961 Cedar Rapids Braves featured four players who played in Major League baseball after their time in Cedar Rapids (John Braun, Bruce Brubaker, Ron Hunt and Dick Kelley). Cedar Rapids professional baseball Hall of Fame member Paul Snyder and Barry Morgan, who will join Ron Hunt among others tonight at Hall of Fame / Alumni Night at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Jack Cookman (Cedar Rapids Rockets – 1949) and Bruce Kimm (Cedar Rapids Reds MGR – 1983) are also expected to be in attendance for the festivities. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and first pitch is scheduled for 6:35.
This Date in Cedar Rapids Professional Baseball – July 17, 1961 – Cedar Rapids Braves Keep Winning
Three members of the 1961 Cedar Rapids Braves team will be returning to Perfect Game Field tomorrow night for our Hall of Fame / Alumni night at the stadium. Ron Hunt, Barry Morgan and Paul Snyder will all be in attendance to take part in the pre-game festivities and sign autographs on the concourse. Today just happens to line up with a Cedar Rapids Braves win back in 1961. The Braves topped the Fox Cities Foxes 6-5 behind Barry Morgan’s league leading 15th HR of the season which extended his hitting streak to 17 games. Paul Snyder added a pair of singles and Ron Hunt was 1-3 at the plate and scored a run in the Braves victory.
On a side note, the paper’s sports section was headlined by the news that Ty Cobb had passed away this date back in 1961. In other Cedar Rapids alumni notes of this date in baseball, Lou Boudreau (Cedar Rapids Raiders – 1938), the American League MVP in 1948, was born on this date in 1917.
This following article was written by Gus Schrader and was published in the July 18, 1961 edition of the Cedar Rapids Gazette. It contained coverage of a Three-I League contest against the Fox Cities Foxes held on July 17, 1961. The 1961 Cedar Rapids Braves featured four players who played in Major League baseball after their time in Cedar Rapids (John Braun, Bruce Brubaker, Ron Hunt and Dick Kelley). Cedar Rapids professional baseball Hall of Fame member Paul Snyder and Barry Morgan, who will join Ron Hunt among others tomorrow night at Hall of Fame / Alumni Night at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
This Date in Cedar Rapids Professional Baseball – June 29, 1976 – Ted Barnicle No-Hits Dubuque
On June 29, 1976, Ted Barnicle pitched the fifth no-hitter in Cedar Rapids Midwest League baseball history to lead the Cedar Rapids Giants to a 5-0 win over the Dubuque Packers. Barnicle, the Giants first round draft pick, eighth overall, in the 1975 draft, posted a 9-10 mark with a 4.03 E.R.A. in 24 games during the 1976 season.
Ted Barnicle would pitch seven seasons between 1975 and 1982 in the minor leagues playing three seasons in the Giants organization, three with the White Sox’s minor league clubs and finishing with the AA affiliate of the Montreal Expos in Memphis. He reached as high as AAA with the Iowa Oaks in 1980 where he posted a 5-0 record with a 3.41 E.R.A. in six games.
The article below was written by Steve Allspach and published in the June 30, 1976 edition of the Cedar Rapids Gazette. It contained coverage of a Midwest League game against the Dubuque Packers held on June 29, 1976. The 1976 Cedar Rapids Giants featured four players who played in Major League baseball either before or after their time in Cedar Rapids (Jose Barrios, John Henry Johnson, Rich Murray and Jeff Yurak). The 1976 squad went on to finish the season with a 78-53 record in the Midwest League under manager Salty Parker.
This Date in Cedar Rapids Professional Baseball – June 25, 1949 – CR Rockets Sweep Rockford in Doubleheader
Jack Cookman (Cedar Rapids Rockets – 1949) and his family joined us at the ballpark yesterday afternoon as the Kernels defeated Beloit for our first win of the second half. We kept his group busy with another Kernels Timeline tour, numerous introductions, a first pitch and a radio booth visit for an interview with Morgan Hawk. The southpaw can still bring it to the plate. Jack also brought in some great old photos from the 1949 season to donate to our Hall of Fame. I have to get them scanned to share. We are glad to have you and your family back anytime Jack. Thanks to Kernels photographer Stevie Pedersen for the shots of Cookman’s first pitch. I decided to stick with the 1949 team with today’s look back at Cedar Rapids Professional Baseball history.
This following article was written by Pat Harmon and was published in the June 26, 1949 edition of the Cedar Rapids Gazette. It contained coverage of a Central Association doubleheader against the Rockford Rox held on June 25, 1949. The 1949 Cedar Rapids Rockets featured one player who played in Major League baseball either before or after their time in Cedar Rapids (Packy Rogers). Pro Football Hall of Famer Emlen Tunnell was also a member of the 1949 Cedar Rapids Rockets squad.
Rockets Top Rockford Twice, 3-0, 5-1. Cassidy, Schroer Hurl Wins
The Cedar Rapids Rockets won their first double header of the season by beating Rockford, 3-0 and 5-1, Saturday night on the expert pitching of left-handed Gene Schroer and right-handed Dick Cassidy.
They held Rockford to three hits in 16 innings. Schroer pitched a 2-hit shutout in the opener, which went seven frames. In the second game, Cassidy allowed one hit and one unearned run. He missed a no-hitter on Bob Dill’s towering fly to the left field fence in the third inning. Paul Slaughter misjudged it and it landed for a double.
Jarring John Tanner helped Cassidy’s cause in the second game with a third-inning homer, his 14th of the season. Smacko Joe Macko of Burlington also hit his 14th Saturday night in another Central Association game, and they are tied for the league lead.
The twin pitching masterpieces were witnessed by 2,160 clients, including 772 special ladies’ night admissions. Tonight, the Rockets open a series against Burlington with Joe Meshelski, who pitched a one-hitter over Clinton on June 18, on the mound. Cedar Rapids and Burlington will play a doubleheader Monday at 6:30 p.m., with Jim Johnson and Jack Bremer or Lou Michels the probable local pitchers.
The fielding of the Rockets, particularly that of the 18-year old shortstop, Roger Scoles of Ute, Ia., touched new heights Saturday. Scoles handled 12 chances and figured in three double plays. His most spectacular act was in the second game. After Dale Hess had slashed the ball off the pitcher’s glove, it was bounding for the open spaces by second base, but Scoles scooped it in and turned it into a double play.
Jay Sousley also pulled two dazzlers around first base, and Tanner ended the evening with a running catch over his shoulder of pinch hitter Jim Fister’s fly to right field. Tanner, incidently, did not play the first game because of a sore arm. His home run in the second was one of his longest. It cleared the fence just to the left of the scoreboard, high over the 350-foot marker.
Cassidy’s one-hitter in the second game should be explained for those who were there. When Joe Patanelli of Rockford was ruled safe at first by umpire Roxie Lawson in the first inning, the scoreboard flashed the “hit” sign from the official scorer. But Lawson, when questioned, said he had called the runner safe because the fielder failed to tag the bag, not because Patanelli had beaten the throw, which was from Sousley to Cassidy. Under the rules of the official scoring manual, this had to become an error.
Cassidy walked seven and hit Dill, the Rockford manager so that the Rox got a man on base every inning save the sixth. Schroer’s two-hitter shaded the picthing of Oje Henning, former University of Minnesota athlete, in the opener. Henning has now pitched three games for the Rox, and they haven’t scored a run for him. He lost his first two starts to Keokuk by identical scores of 2-0. Harry Pritts was his opponent in those games, so he has lost all three to left-handed rivals.
In the first game, Joe O’Brien scored for the Rockets in the third on a passed ball. An Error by Patanelli, sacrifice by Ray Waychoff, walks to Packy Rogers and Sousley and hits by Slaughter and Del Marquardt scored the remaining two runs in the sixth.
The Rockets used a progressive hitting system in the second game, starting with the second inning. Tanner singled, Sousley doubled, Marquardt tripled. That scored two runs. Then in the third Tanner hit for four bases, this time with Rogers on base.
Rogers’ single, Dill’s two-base error in left field, and Sousley’s fly to center brought Rogers in with the last run.
The Rox only run off Cassidy was unearned. Bob Johnson, after walking, went to third on Rogers’ high throw trying to nail Fred Lietz. Johnson scored on Dick Meyer’s fly to right.
Transcribed from the digital archives of the Cedar Rapids Public Library.
Seth Dohrn
Recent Comments