Meet Them In St. Louis
July 6, 2009 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release
GENEVA, IL - Yesterday's announcement of rosters for the Major League All-Star Game includes three former Cougars, as pitchers Josh Beckett and Andrew Bailey, along with first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, were named to their respective league's All-Star rosters. The trifecta of All-Stars is the highest total of ex-Cougars named to the MLB All-Star Game since the 2005 midsummer classic, when four former Cougars participated.
This year's game, to be held on July 14 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, will be the 80th All-Star Game and the 13th straight MLB All-Star Game that at least one former Cougar has represented Kane County, dating back to 1997.
Here's a capsule look at each of the three '09 All-Stars who used to call Elfstrom Stadium home:
P Andrew Bailey - Oakland A's. Just 25 years old, Bailey has been something of a Cinderella story for the A's this season. A year ago, Bailey was at the crossroads of his career as a starting pitcher at Double-A Midland, going 1-8 in 15 starts before the Texas League All-Star break. Since moving exclusively to the bullpen last summer, Bailey has discovered his true home and has left Major League hitters guessing through much of the season's first half. Since cracking the A's big league squad as a spring training non-roster invitee, Bailey is 4-1 with a 2.03 ERA and nine saves in 37 games. Bailey will be the lone representative for the A's in St. Louis.
"I was ecstatic," Bailey said to reporters after pitching 1 1/3 scoreless innings against Cleveland to pick up his ninth save over the weekend. "It should be a great experience."
As a Cougar - In '07, Bailey was 1-4 with a 3.35 ERA in 11 games with Kane County.
P Josh Beckett - Boston Red Sox. Beckett, no stranger to All-Star Games, receives his second All-Star nod ('07, '09) and is one of six Red Sox players that will be heading to the Gateway City. Beckett was the winning pitcher for the American League in the '07 game. So far this season, Beckett and teammate Tim Wakefield (a first-time All Star at 42 years old) have led Boston to the best record in the AL, and the former Cougar has certainly done his part, posting a 9-3 record and 3.67 ERA. Beckett is one of the most-decorated Cougars alumni in franchise history, garnering numerous awards including a World Series MVP award (2003) and ALCS MVP (2007)
As a Cougar - In '00, Beckett was 2-3 with a 2.12 ERA in 13 games at Kane County.
1B Adrian Gonzalez - San Diego Padres. Similar to Beckett, "Gonzo" makes his second All-Star appearance after receiving his first career MLB All-Star call in last summer's game. Gonzalez has averaged 30 home runs per season in his first three years with San Diego, and the talented first baseman is on pace to slug more than 40 home runs for the first time in his MLB career. So far this season, Gonzalez is tied for 2nd in the Majors with 24 round trippers.
As a Cougar - In '01, Gonzalez batted .312 with 17 home runs and 103 RBI at Kane County, leading the squad to the 2001 Midwest League championship while also winning the league's MVP award.
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