Category: This Date in Kernels Alumni History
This date in Kernels alumni history – December 12, 1980 – Ted Simmons (1967) was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers
On December 12, 1980, the Milwaukee Brewers traded Lary Sorensen, Sixto Lezcano, David Green and Dave LaPoint to the St. Louis Cardinals to acquire Ted Simmons (Cedar Rapids Cardinals – 1967), Rollie Fingers and Pete Vuckovich. Fingers and Vuckovich went on to the the American League Cy Young awards in 1981 and 1982 respectively and Simmons was selected to the A.L. all-star squads in 1981 and 1983. All three were instrumental in the Brewers 1982 American League pennant winning squad which lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series.
Ted Simmons, an eight-time All-Star hit .285 with 248 HR and 1389 RBI during his 21 year career playing for the Cardinals Brewers and Braves. Simmons retired with more career hits (2472) and more career doubles (483) than any catcher in the Hall of Fame. Simmons served as a member of the front office and field staff for the Pirates, Indians, Padres, Brewers and Mariners following his playing career. In 2012, he was a Senior Advisor to the General Manager for the Seattle Mariners.
Ted Simmons was a member of the 1967 Cedar Rapids Cardinals team that finished 53-67 under manager Jack Krol. Simmons hit .269 with 4 HR and 11 doubles in 47 games for the Cedar Rapids Cardinals.
This date in Kernels alumni history – December 11, 1992 – Chili Davis signs with the Angels
On December 11, 1992, the California Angels signed Chili Davis (Cedar Rapids Giants – 1978) to a two year free agent contract that would pay him $5.3 million dollars for the 1993 and 1994 seasons. Davis was coming off a World Series championship season with the Minnesota Twins. This was his second stint with the Angels where he had played previously from 1988-1990.
Chili Davis, a three-time all-star, finished his career with a .274 batting average, 350 HR and 1372 RBI during his 19 year career with the Giants, Angels, Twins, Royals and Yankees. He won World Series titles with the Twins (1991) and Yankees (1998 and 1999). Davis served as the Oakland Athletics hitting coach in 2012.
Chili Davis was a member of the 1978 Cedar Rapids Giants team that finished 53-82 under manager Jack Mull. Davis hit .281 with 16 HR and 73 RBI in 124 games for the Cedar Rapids Giants.
This date in Kernels alumni history – December 9, 2012 – Quan Cosby returns three punts for the Jacksonviille Jaguars
On December 9, 2012, Quan Cosby (Cedar Rapids Kernels – 2003-04) served as the Jacksonville Jaguars punt returner in their game against the New York Jets today. Cosby returned three punts for a total of 25 return yards averaging 8.3 yards per return. This is Cosby’s fourth team he has played for in the NFL. He had played previously for the Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos and the Indianapolis Colts. Click here to see one of Cosby’s punt returns as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Quan Cosby was a member of the 2003 and 2004 Cedar Rapids Kernels squads. Cosby hit .249 with 17 stolen bases in 104 games during the 2003 season. The Kernels finished in 10th place at 66-72 under manager Todd Claus. Cosby returned in 2004 where he hit .249 with 24 stolen bases and 12 triples. The 2004 Cedar Rapids Kernels team finished with a record of 75-64 under manager Bobby Magallanes. The Kernels lost in the 1st round of the Midwest League playoffs to the Clinton Lumberkings.
Following the 2004 season, Quan Cosby decided to attend the University of Texas to play football under coach Mack Brown.
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 – 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 2, 1937 – Hal Trosky
On October 2, 1937, Hal Trosky (Cedar Rapids Bunnies – 1931) went 2-5 at the plate with two HR and three RBI to lead the Cleveland Indians to a 12-5 win over the Detroit Tigers at Lavin Field.
Hal Trosky played 11 seasons for the Indians and the White Sox. The Norway, IA native posted a career batting average of .302 with 228 home runs and 1012 RBI.
Hal Trosky was part of the 1931 Cedar Rapids Bunnies squad that finished 2nd in the Mississippi Valley League with a mark of 74-52 under manager Paul Speraw. Trosky hit .302 with three home runs in 164 at bats as an 18 year old.
This date in Kernels alumni history – October 2, 1993 – Chili Davis
On October 2, 1993, Chili Davis (Cedar Rapids Giants – 1978) went 2-4 at the plate with two HR and three RBI as the California Angels defeated the Oakland Athletics 6-2 at Oakland-Almaeda County Coliseum.
Chili Davis, a three-time all-star, finished his career with a .274 batting average, 350 HR and 1372 RBI during his 19 year career with the Giants, Angels, Twins, Royals and Yankees. Davis currently serves as the Oakland Athletics hitting coach who clinched a playoff spot last night eliminating the Los Angeles Angels from playoff contention.
Chili Davis was a member of the 1978 Cedar Rapids Giants team that finished 53-82 under manager Jack Mull. Davis hit .281 with 16 HR and 73 RBI in 124 games for the Cedar Rapids Giants.
This date in Kernels alumni history – October 2, 1992 – Chili Davis – Twins Edition
On October 2, 1992, Chili Davis (Cedar Rapids Giants – 1978) went 3-4 at the plate with two HR and four RBI as the Minnesota Twins defeated the Kansas City Royals 5-1 at Royals Stadium.
Chili Davis, a three-time all-star, finished his career with a .274 batting average, 350 HR and 1372 RBI during his 19 year career with the Giants, Angels, Twins, Royals and Yankees. Davis currently serves as the Oakland Athletics hitting coach who clinched a playoff spot last night eliminating the Los Angeles Angels from playoff contention.
Chili Davis was a member of the 1978 Cedar Rapids Giants team that finished 53-82 under manager Jack Mull. Davis hit .281 with 16 HR and 73 RBI in 124 games for the Cedar Rapids Giants.
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 – October 1, 1992 – Chili Davis – Twins Edition
On October 1, 1992, Chili Davis (Cedar Rapids Giants – 1978) went 2-3 at the plate with a double, a HR, two RBI and walked as the Minnesota Twins rallied for five runs in the bottom of the eighth led by his solo HR to get things started as they defeated the Chicago White Sox 9-6 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.
Chili Davis, a three-time all-star, finished his career with a .274 batting average, 350 HR and 1372 RBI during his 19 year career with the Giants, Angels, Twins, Royals and Yankees. Davis currently serves as the Oakland Athletics hitting coach.
Chili Davis remembers Jackie Robinson
Chili Davis was a member of the 1978 Cedar Rapids Giants team that finished 53-82 under manager Jack Mull. Davis hit .281 with 16 HR and 73 RBI in 124 games for the Cedar Rapids Giants.
The Sprouting News 