MWL1 Fort Wayne TinCaps

Wizards Announce All-Time Memorial Stadium Team

Published on August 25, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Fort Wayne TinCaps News Release


Fort Wayne, IN - Since 1993, dozens of players from affiliated Major League Baseball teams have played at Memorial Stadium. Some have gone on to great careers, while others made brief cameo appearances at the top level of baseball.

After combing through team rosters since the first year of the Fort Wayne Wizards at Memorial Stadium, a who's who list has been created to create the All-Time Memorial Stadium Team.

The team is comprised of National League and American League All-Stars, home run champions, Cy Young Award winners and Most Valuable Players.

The team is headlined by current New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, a two-time AL MVP and 12-time All-Star. Rodriguez makes the team after coming up through the Seattle Mariners system as a shortstop. His tie to history in Fort Wayne comes with his first professional home run hit at Memorial Stadium as a member of the Appleton Foxes in 1994.

First base is covered Justin Morneau, the 2006 AL MVP, who came through with the Quad City River Bandits in 2001. Former San Diego Padres prospect and current Cleveland Indian Josh Barfield is also on the right side of the infield at second base.

The left side of the infield, in addition to Rodriguez, is patrolled by St. Louis Cardinals products Albert Pujols, who came in with the Peoria Chiefs as a third baseman. Pujols is a seven-time NL All-Star and the 2005 NL MVP.

Prince Fielder, with the Milwaukee Brewers, serves as the designated hitter. Fielder, the son of former Detroit Tigers slugger Cecil Fielder, has appeared in one MLB All-Star Game, was the Midwest League's MVP in 2002 with the Beloit Snappers and finished third in the NL MVP voting in 2007.

While the offense is well equipped on the infield, the pitching staff may certainly be able to keep the opposition off the scoreboard.

The 2003 World Series MVP and a 2007 AL All-Star, Josh Beckett of the Boston Red Sox headlines the pitching staff. Beckett, who captured World Series titles with the Florida Marlins and Red Sox in 2007, came through Memorial Stadium as a member of the Kane County Cougars in 2000.

The 2007 unanimous NL Cy Young Award winner and two-time NL All-Star, Jake Peavy of the San Diego Padres also joins the rotation.

Roy Oswalt and Johan Santana, members of the Michigan Battle Cats as an affiliate of the Houston Astros in 1999 are also on the staff. Oswalt is a three-time All-Star and the MVP of the National League Champion Series in 2005. Santana, now with the New York Mets, is a three-time All-Star and two-time Cy Young Award winner.

Current Chicago Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano rounds out the pitching staff. Zambrano, a three-time All-Star, appeared with the Lansing Lugnuts in 1999.

Current New York Mets closer Billy Wagner, a member of the 1994 Quad City River Bandits and a six-time All-Star, anchors the bullpen. Francisco Cordero, a two-time All Star and member of the 1997 West Michigan Whitecaps.

Handling the catching duties of the pitching staff is current Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer, a member of the 2002 Quad City River Bandits. Mauer is a two-time All-Star.

The outfield is certainly covered in all areas.

Former Wizard Torii Hunter, a seven-time Gold Glove winner and two-time All-Star headlines the outfield.

Johnny Damon, now with the New York Yankees and a two-time All-Star, came into Fort Wayne via Rockford in 1993 and joins Hunter and current Arizona Diamondback Adam Dunn, a member of the Dayton Dragons in 2000 in the outfield. Dunn took home the Triple-A All-Star Game MVP honors in 2002 and has consistently been among league leaders in home runs.

Managing the All-Time Memorial Stadium team is former West Michigan Whitecaps skipper Matt Walbeck.

All Walbeck did was capture two Midwest League titles in three seasons, from 2004 to 2006 with West Michigan and the Detroit Tigers organization.

In 2004, the Whitecaps went 69-70, reached the post season and captured a league title. After going 73-67 in 2005, Walbeck guided West Michigan back to another league championship in 2006, going 89-48 overall during the regular season and winning Midwest League Manager of the Year honors.

Catcher Joe Mauer Quad City River Bandits, 2002

First Base Justin Morneau Quad City River Bandits, 2001

Second Base Josh Barfield Fort Wayne Wizards, 2002

Third Base Albert Pujols Peoria Chiefs, 2000

Shortstop Alex Rodriguez Appleton Foxes, 1994

Outfield Torii Hunter Fort Wayne Wizards, 1993

Outfield Johnny Damon Rockford Royals, 1993

Outfield Adam Dunn Dayton Dragons, 2000

Designated Hitter Prince Fielder Beloit Snappers, 2002

Starting Pitcher Jake Peavy Fort Wayne Wizards, 2000

Starting Pitcher Josh Beckett Kane County Cougars, 2000

Starting Pitcher Roy Oswalt Michigan Battle Cats, 1999

Starting Pitcher Johan Santana Michigan Battle Cats, 1999

Starting Pitcher Carlos Zambrano Lansing Lugnuts, 1999

Relief Pitcher Billy Wagner Quad City River Bandits, 1994

Relief Pitcher Francisco Cordero West Michigan Whitecaps, 1997

Manager Matt Walbeck West Michigan Whitecaps, 2004-2006

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Midwest League Stories from August 25, 2008


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