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 (Cedar Rapids Braves 1960-61) traded to the Dodgers
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. He led the National League in getting hit by pitches in each of his final seven Major League seasons. Upon his retirement, his 243 HBPs were a career record. Don Baylor would break that record in 1987 and retire with 267 HBPs. Craig Biggio would break Baylor’s career record in 2005 and retire at the end of the 2007 season with 285 HBPs.
Ron Hunt played for the Cedar Rapids Braves teams in 1960 and 1961. Hunt hit .191…
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The Authoritative Source for Cedar Rapids Professional Baseball
This date in Kernels alumni history – November 28, 1956 – Kerby Farrell (Cedar Rapids Indians – 1951)
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. He served as a scout for the Twins following his managing career and was a volunteer coach at Vanderbilt in 1975.
Kerby Farrell hit .262 with 55 RBI during his two season MLB career playing for the Boston Braves and the Chicago White Sox.
Kerby Farrell was the Cedar Rapids Indians player manager in 1951. He hit .286 while appearing in 19 games including three appearances on the mound where he went 1-0 with a 3.27 ERA. The Indians finished the year 64-66.
This date in Kernels alumni history – November 27, 1950 – Lou Boudreau signs deal to manager play for the Boston Red Sox
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.
Lou Boudreau hit .295 with 68 HR and 796 RBI in his 15 year career with the Indians and the Red Sox. Boudreau was an eight-time All Star Game selection, starting three times. He won the 1944 AL batting title (.327), and led the league in doubles in 1941, 1944, and 1947. He led AL shortstops in fielding eight times. Boudreau still holds the record for hitting the most consecutive doubles in a game (four), set on July 14, 1946.
In 1948, he won the American League Most…
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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. Boudreau was an eight-time All Star Game selection, starting three times. He won the 1944 AL batting title (.327), and led the league in doubles in 1941, 1944, and 1947. He led AL shortstops in fielding eight times. Boudreau still holds the record for hitting the most consecutive doubles in a game (four), set on July 14, 1946.
In 1948, he won the American League Most Valuable Player Award and managed the Cleveland…
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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. Wakamatsu hit .216 with seven HR and 41 RBI that year for the Reds in 103 games.
This date in Kernels alumni history – November 18, 1954 – Lou Boudreau hired to manage the Kansas City Athletics
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. Boudreau was an eight-time All Star Game selection, starting three times. He won the 1944 AL batting title (.327), and led the league in doubles in 1941, 1944, and 1947. He led AL shortstops in fielding eight times. Boudreau still holds the record for hitting the most consecutive doubles in a game (four), set on July 14, 1946.
In 1948, he won the American League Most Valuable Player Award and managed the Cleveland Indians to the World Series title. Boudreau was elected to the Baseball…
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Cedar Rapids professional baseball and the 1992 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. The Marlins selected Trevor Hoffman and the Rockies selected Freddie Benavides, Butch Henry and Mo Sanford.
Trevor Hoffman (Cedar Rapids Reds – 1990) was selected by the Marlins with 8th pick in the draft. He went 2-2 with 2 saves and a 3.28 ERA before being traded to the San Diego Padres in the Gary Sheffield deal midseason. Trevor Hoffman retired following the 2010 season after setting the MLB record 601 career saves. Hoffman posted a 61-75 record with a 2.87 ERA during…
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Seth Dohrn
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