Results tagged ‘ Cedar Rapids Reds ’
Mike Trout (2009-10) wins American League OF Silver Slugger Award
Mike Trout (2009-10) added another honor to his rookie season taking home a Silver Slugger award. Major League baseball distributes Silver Slugger Awards to the best offensive players at each position. Trout is the fourth Cedar Rapids professional baseball alum to win a Silver Slugger award joining Bob Forsch (Cedar Rapids Cardinals – 1970-71), Ted Simmons (Cedar Rapids Cardinals – 1967) and Eric Davis (Cedar Rapids Reds – 1982). The Silver Slugger awards started in 1980. Mike Trout is the first of our alumni to win the award in the American League.
Mike Trout hit .267 in 5 games for the 2009 Kernels squad late in the season. Trout returned to Cedar Rapids in 2010 where he hit .362 with 19 doubles,7 triples, 6 HR, 39 RBI and stole 45 bases in 81 games. He was named to the 2010 Midwest League All-Star game, played in the XM Futures Game in Anaheim and swept Midwest League post season awards winning the 2010 MWL batting title, MWL Player of the Year award and MWL Prospect of the year award. Trout became the youngest recipient of the J.G. Taylor Spink Award as the Topps Minor League Player of the Year in 2010. He earned Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year Award in 2011. Cedar Rapids finished the season with a 82-56 record under manager Bill Mosiello. The Kernels lost to Clinton in the first round of the Midwest League Playoffs.
Cedar Rapids Alumni who have won Silver Slugger Awards
Bob Forsch – Pitcher, National League 1980
Ted Simmons – Catcher, National League 1980
Bob Forsch – Pitcher, National League 1987
Eric Davis – Outfielder, National League 1987
Eric Davis – Outfielder, National League 1989
Mike Trout – Outfielder, American League 2012
This date in Kernels alumni history – October 3, 1995 – Jeff Branson
On October 3, 1995, Jeff Branson (Cedar Rapids Reds – 1989-90) went 2-3 at the plate with a double, two RBI and walked in the Cincinnati Reds 7-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in the opening game of the National League Division Series. The Reds swept the Dodgers before losing to the Atlanta Braves in the NLCS.
Jeff Branson hit .246 with 34 HR and 156 RBI during his 9 year MLB career playing for the Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Jeff Branson played for the 1989 and 1990 Cedar Rapids Reds squads. In 1989, Branson hit .281 with 10 HR and 68 RBI in 127 games as the Reds finished 80-57 under manager Dave Miley. The 1989 Cedar Rapids Reds lost to Springfield in the opening round of the playoffs. In 1990, Branson hit .251 with 6 HR and 24 RBI in 62 games and the team finished with a 88-46 mark under manager Dave Miley. The 1990 Cedar Rapids Reds squad lost to the Quad Cities team in the opening round.
Jeff Branson served as the hitting coach for the Indianapolis Indians, the AAA affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates for the last few seasons.
This date in Kernels alumni history – October 1, 1985 – Eric Davis
On October 1, 1985, Eric Davis (Cedar Rapids Reds – 1982) went 3-5 at the plate with a HR, four RBI and scored a run as the Cincinnati Reds rallied to defeat the San Francisco Giants 7-6 at Candlestick Park. Davis drove in the game winning runs with a RBI single in the top of the eighth inning that drove in the tying and go ahead run.
Eric Davis hit .269 with 282 home runs, 934 RBI and stole 349 bases during his 17 year career playing for the Reds, Dodgers, Tigers, Orioles, Cardinals and Giants. Davis hit for the cycle on June 2, 1989 to lead the Reds to a 9-4 win over the Padres. He was the first Red to hit for cycle since Frank Robinson did it in 1959.
Eric Davis was part of the 1982 Cedar Rapids Reds squad that finished in 9th place with a mark of 61-79 under manager Randy Davidson. Davis hit .276 with 15 home runs, 56 RBI and stole 53 bases for the Cedar Rapids Reds that season. He was enshrined into the Cedar Rapids Professional Baseball Hall of Fame.
This date in Kernels alumni history – September 30, 1988 – Paul O’Neill
On September 30, 1988, Paul O’Neill (Cedar Rapids Reds – 1982) went 2-4 at the plate with two HR and four RBI as the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Atlanta Braves 8-7 at Riverfront Stadium.
Paul O’Neill hit .288 with 281 HR and 1269 RBI during his 17 year MLB career playing for the Reds and Yankees. He won the American League batting title in 1994 with a .359 batting average. O’Neill was selected to five All-Star teams and was a member of six World Series teams earning five championship rings.
Paul O’Neill hit .272 with 8 HR and 71 RBI in 116 games as the 1982 Cedar Rapids Reds finished 61-79 under manager Randy Davidson.
This date in Kernels alumni history – September 27, 1997 – Eric Davis
On September 27, 1997, Eric Davis (Cedar Rapids Reds – 1982) went 4-5 at the plate with a HR, RBI and scored a run as the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 5-4 at County Stadium.
Eric Davis hit .269 with 282 home runs, 934 RBI and stole 349 bases during his 17 year career playing for the Reds, Dodgers, Tigers, Orioles, Cardinals and Giants. Davis hit for the cycle on June 2, 1989 to lead the Reds to a 9-4 win over the Padres. He was the first Red to hit for cycle since Frank Robinson did it in 1959.
Davis was part of the 1982 Cedar Rapids Reds squad that finished in 9th place with a mark of 61-79 under manager Randy Davidson. Eric Davis hit .276 with 15 home runs, 56 RBI and stole 53 bases for the Cedar Rapids Reds that season.
This date in Kernels alumni history – September 25, 1991 – Chris Sabo
On September 25, 1991, Chris Sabo (Cedar Rapids Reds – 1990) went 3-3 at the plate with a HR, four RBI, a walk and stole a base as the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Atlanta Braves 10-9 in 10 innings in game two of a doubleheader at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.
Chris Sabo, the 1988 N.L. Rookie of the year and a three-time all-star, hit .268 with 166 HR and 426 RBI during his nine year MLB career playing for the Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, and the St. Louis Cardinals. Sabo batted .563 with 2 HR as the Reds won the 1990 World Series.
Chris Sabo hit .274 with 12 HR in 77 games for the 1983 Cedar Rapids Reds team that finished with a mark of 76-64 under manager Bruce Kimm’s guidance. The Reds fell in the opening round of the playoffs to Springfield.
This date in Kernels alumni history – September 23, 1989 – Paul O’Neill
On September 23, 1989, Paul O’Neill (Cedar Rapids Reds – 1982) went 2-5 at the plate with a double and four RBI as the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Atlanta Braves 11-5 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.
Paul O’Neill hit .288 with 281 HR and 1269 RBI during his 17 year MLB career playing for the Reds and Yankees. He won the American League batting title in 1994 with a .359 batting average. O’Neill was selected to five All-Star teams and was a member of six World Series teams earning five championship rings.
Paul O’Neill hit .272 with 8 HR and 71 RBI in 116 games as the 1982 Cedar Rapids Reds finished 61-79 under manager Randy Davidson.
This date in Kernels alumni history – September 21, 1990 – Kal Daniels
On September 21, 1990, Kal Daniels (Cedar Rapids Reds – 1983) went 4-4 at the plate with a double, a RBI and scored three runs as the Los Angeles Dodgers topped the San Francisco Giants 16-3 at Dodger Stadium.
Kal Daniels hit .285 with 104 HR and 360 RBI during his 7 year MLB career playing for the Reds, Dodgers and Cubs.
Kal Daniels was a member of the 1983 Cedar Rapids Reds team that finished 76-64 under manager Bruce Kimm. The Reds were eliminated in the first round of the Midwest League Playoffs by Springfield. Daniels hit .251 with 5 HR, 14 doubles and 28 RBI in 101 games for the Cedar Rapids Reds.
This date in Kernels alumni history – September 20, 1988 – Paul O’Neill
On September 20, 1988, Paul O’Neill (Cedar Rapids Reds – 1982) went 4-4 at the plate with three RBI as the Cincinnati Reds defeated the San Diego Padres 7-2 at Riverfront Stadium.
Paul O’Neill hit .288 with 281 HR and 1269 RBI during his 17 year MLB career playing for the Reds and Yankees. He won the American League batting title in 1994 with a .359 batting average. O’Neill was selected to five All-Star teams and was a member of six World Series teams earning five championship rings.
Paul O’Neill hit .272 with 8 HR and 71 RBI in 116 games as the 1982 Cedar Rapids Reds finished 61-79 under manager Randy Davidson.
MLB All-Star Ron Hunt (1960-61) returns to Perfect Game Field tomorrow night
Major League All-Star Ron Hunt (1960-61) is returning to Perfect Game Field tomorrow night along with his fellow Cedar Rapids Braves teammates Barry Morgan (1961) and Paul Snyder (1959, 1961). They will be on hand as part of our Hall of Fame / Alumni night at the ballpark season here at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The 1961 Cedar Rapids Braves team finished 2nd with a 73-57 record under manager Jimmy Brown. Jack Cookman, a pitcher for the 1949 Cedar Rapids Rockets and former MLB player and manager Bruce Kimm will be returning as well. Kimm managed the 1983 Cedar Rapids Reds squad to a 3rd place finish with a 76-64 record. The most recent Cedar Rapids professional baseball Hall of Fame class featuring John Campbell, Reggie Jefferson (1987-88) and Jack Roeder (CR G.M. 1991-2010) will be featured as part of the evening’s festivities. Kernels manager Jamie Burke (1994) and hitting coach Mike Eylward (2002) will be honored pregame as well. The Cedar Rapids professional baseball alumni will be involved in pregame festivities and will be signing autographs on the concourse during the game if they are not busy working (Burke/Eylward). Jefferson will not be in attendance. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for our game against the San Diego Padres Midwest league affiliate, the Fort Wayne TinCaps. First pitch is set for 6:35.
Ron Hunt played here in Cedar Rapids in 1960 and 1961. Hunt hit .191 with 3 HR and 33 RBI in 1960 as the Braves finished 71-69 under manager Jimmy Brown. He returned in 1961 and had a great season batting .295 with 16 HR and 25 doubles in 121 games.
Ron Hunt went on to a 12 year MLB career playing for the Mets, Dodgers, Giants, Expos and Cardinals. He finished 2nd to Pete Rose in the National League Rookie of the Year voting after hitting .272 with 10 HR 42 RBI for the Mets in 1963. He led the Mets in hits (145), Batting average, doubles (28), and runs scored (48) playing for Casey Stengal.
Hunt hit the first extra base hit and score the first Mets run at Shea Stadium when it opened. He was the first Mets player to be selected to the All-Star game when he hit .303 with 6 HR and 42 RBI in 1964. The honor was even more special as the game was the only All-Star game to be played in front of the home town Mets fans at Shea Stadium. He was also selected to the 1966 National League All-Star squad.
Ron Hunt was well known for being hit by pitches. He held numerous records for the stat when he retired after the 1974 season. Hunt was also known for being very difficult to strike out. He only struck out 382 times in 6158 plate appearances. Hunt walked 555 times and was hit by a pitch 243 times for comparison. He led the league seven straight years in HBP from 1968-1974.
Paul Snyder (1959, 1961) spent 50 years working in the Braves system on and off the field. He hit .362 with 1 HR and 2 doubles in 15 games in 1959. He returned to hit .310 with 14 HR and 19 doubles in 126 games for the Cedar Rapids Braves in 1961. Snyder posted a .318 batting average, 60 HR and 102 doubles during his 7 year minor league career.
Snyder managed the Greenville Braves in 1963, the Sarasota Braves in 1964 and 1966, the Binghamton Triplets in 1965, the Magic Valley Cowboys in 1970 and the Greenwood Braves in 1972. In 1973, Snyder joined the Braves front office as the assistant minor league administrator prior to taking the reins of the Braves player development system in 1977.
Snyder’s efforts as the Braves’ scouting director (1981-90, 1999-2000), assistant to the General Manager (1991-95, 2001-06), and director of player development (1977-1980, 1996-98) played an integral role as the Braves dominated the National League in the early 1990′s and won the World Series in 1995. He retired following the 2007 season. Baseball America named him one of the top 25 people in baseball in the publications 25th Anniversary issue in 2006.
Barry Morgan (1961) hit .289 with 23 HR and 20 doubles in 130 games for the 1961 Cedar Rapids Braves. Morgan hit .267 with 165 HR during his 12 season minor league playing career reaching as high as AAA playing for the Toledo Mud Hens in 1969 and 1970.
Jack Cookman (1949) posted a 9-9 record with a 4.89 E.R.A. in 29 games for the 1949 Cedar Rapids Rockets in the first year of professional baseball following a six year absence due to World War 2. The 1949 Rockets finished in fourth place in the Central Association with a record of 63-67 under manager Packy Rogers guidance. 1949 was Cookman’s final season in the minors due to an arm injury. He had played two season with the Fon du Lac Panthers, the New York Yankees affiliate in the Wisconsin State League in 1947 and 1948 before coming to Cedar Rapids.
Jack Cookman brought us this photo of a few of the 1949 Cedar Rapids Rockets pitchers posing in front of their bus. Cookman is the one on the lower right corner.
Bruce Kimm, a Norway, Ia. native, played MLB baseball for the Tigers, Cubs and White Sox between 1976-80. Kimm then continued working in baseball as a minor league manager in the Tigers, Reds and Cubs organizations between 1982-2002. Kimm managed the 1983 Cedar Rapids Reds squad featuring future MLB players Chris Sabo and Kal Daniels among others to a 3rd place finish with a 76-64 record. Kimm managed the Chicago Cubs for 78 (33-45 record) games during the 2002 season.
Seth Dohrn
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