My Three Sons: Postseason-Bound Cougars Feature Trio Of Players With Chicagoland Roots
Published on August 10, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release
GENEVA, IL - With four weeks remaining in the 2009 regular season, the Kane County Cougars are relying on an unlikely trio of three Chicago-area players to help springboard the squad to its first Midwest League title since 2001. The unusual occurrence is the first time in the 19-year franchise history of the Cougars that three players from suburban Chicago have been on the Cougars' roster at once. Each of the three Chicago-area Cougars attended games at Elfstrom Stadium as young fans, enjoyed standout baseball careers at their respective high schools, and are currently all on the Cougars' roster -hoping to fulfill a dream of reaching the Major Leagues as members of the Oakland A's.
Here is a brief capsule of three Cougars who are playing close to home and filling a 25-man roster that typically includes players from various parts of the country and even parts of the world:
RHP Kenny Smalley (24th round pick in 2008, Oakland). For Smalley, the '09 season has been a near-perfect situation as the right hander has been the Cougars' ace of the staff since the middle of May. Smalley, who grew up in the Tri-Cities area of St. Charles, Batavia and Geneva in west suburban Chicago, attended numerous Cougars games as a youngster and recalled having seen former Cougars Josh Beckett and Charles Johnson as budding minor league stars. As a highly-touted prep athlete at Batavia High School, Smalley led his team to the IHSA state tournament, which was played at Elfstrom Stadium. Smalley is one win shy of his 10th of the season, and is second in the Midwest League in ERA with a 2.20 mark. This season, Smalley was one of seven Cougars named to the Midwest League All-Star team, and had the honor of starting the game for the Western Division squad on June 23.
Little known fact on Smalley: Smalley lists the ever-popular Portillo's as one of his favorite pre-game destinations.
IF/C Dusty Napoleon (19th round pick in 2007, Oakland). Napoleon, similar to Smalley, grew up a Cougars fan and received an autograph from Charles Johnson when he was a youngster. Napoleon also played on the Cougars' turf as a high schooler, even belting a home run during a high school game for New Trier High School where he was also named an All-State quarterback in football. This season, Napoleon has been one of the most versatile options for manager Steve Scarsone, having logged time at catcher, first base, third base as well as outfield. At the plate, Napoleon's on-base percentage of .395 leads the squad.
Little known fact on Napoleon: Last March, Napoleon's unique name was selected for a Minor League Baseball contest pitting unique players' names against each other. Based on fan voting, Napoleon advanced to the final round before falling to a fellow minor leaguer named Will Startup.
IF Tyler Ladendorf (2nd round pick in 2008, Minnesota). Ladendorf is the freshest Chicago-area face to complete the local trio, as the talented infielder came to the Cougars via a recent deal made between the Twins and A's that was completed before the Major League trade deadline. In exchange for All-Star shortstop Orlando Cabrera, the Twins shipped Ladendorf to the A's, who immediately assigned him to Kane County on July 31. It didn't take long for Ladendorf to make a splash in his new surroundings - the shortstop slugged his first roundtripper in just his seventh game in a Kane County uniform.
Little known fact on Ladendorf: Baseball wasn't the only sport filling Ladendorf's time as a prepster at Maine West High School in Des Plaines. Both football and hockey completed Ladendorf's three-sport status.
Midwest League Stories from August 10, 2009
- Loons sweep WhiteCaps with rain-shortened win - Great Lakes Loons
- Bees come back from four down to defeat River Bandits - Burlington Bees
- Dragons win in 13 innings, 6-2 - Dayton Dragons
- Cougars rally, beat LumberKings in finale - Kane County Cougars
- Loons Sweep 'Caps - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Chiefs' bats finally silenced in 1-0 loss to Rattlers - Peoria Chiefs
- Bees rally for six unanswered runs to salvage series split - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Scarpetta and Fiers shut out Chiefs, stop losing streak - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- TinCaps fall short against South Bend, 5-4 - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Hawks take series from TinCaps - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Cubs' Lilly to rehab in Peoria - Peoria Chiefs
- Alexi Amarista named Angels Offensive Player of the Month - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- No fun in the sun - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Ted Lilly to Rehab With Chiefs Wednesday - Peoria Chiefs
- My Three Sons: Postseason-Bound Cougars Feature Trio Of Players With Chicagoland Roots - Kane County Cougars
- Lasorda to be Honored at Dow Diamond - Great Lakes Loons
- MBF Launches Dow Diamond All-Stars Program - Great Lakes Loons
- QC area's best young baseball talent to take the field at Modern Woodmen Park - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Home Run for Life Event on Wednesday - Dayton Dragons
- Scruggs Named MWL Player of the Week - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Dragons Gameday August 10th - Dayton Dragons
- July Players of the Month Nominees Announced - Dayton Dragons
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