1.
Eastlake, Ohio
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Eastlake is a city in Lake County, Ohio, United States. The population was 18,577 at the 2010 census, dennis Morley is the current mayor of Eastlake. The city was named for the fact it is northeast of Cleveland, Ohio, Eastlake is the site where Akron-based FirstEnergys Eastlake Generating Station shut down at 1, 31pm EDT on August 14,2003, leading to the infamous 2003 North America blackout a few hours later. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 6.53 square miles. Eastlake is about 19 miles northeast of Cleveland, Ohio, along the shore of Lake Erie,94. 3% spoke English and 2. 9% spoke Croatian. As of the census of 2010, there were 18,577 people,7,841 households, the population density was 2,902.7 inhabitants per square mile. There were 8,280 housing units at a density of 1,293.8 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 95. 9% White,1. 4% African American,0. 1% Native American,1. 0% Asian,0. 3% from other races, hispanic or Latino of any race were 1. 4% of the population. 29. 7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11. 2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older, the average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.93. The median age in the city was 42.7 years. 20. 6% of residents were under the age of 18,8. 3% were between the ages of 18 and 24,24. 4% were from 25 to 44,31. 3% were from 45 to 64, and 15. 4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49. 3% male and 50. 7% female, as of the census of 2000, there were 20,255 people,8,055 households, and 5,557 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,166.5 people per square mile, there were 8,310 housing units at an average density of 1,299.1 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 97. 44% White,0. 54% African American,0. 16% Native American,0. 97% Asian,0. 01% Pacific Islander,0. 15% from other races, and 0. 73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0. 70% of the population,17. 1% were of German,16. 4% Italian,15. 1% Irish,7. 5% Polish,6. 1% Slovene and 5. 7% English ancestry according to Census 2000. 26. 3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9. 3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older, the average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.07. In the city the population was out with 23. 8% under the age of 18,8. 1% from 18 to 24,30. 3% from 25 to 44,25. 7% from 45 to 64. The median age was 38 years, for every 100 females there were 95.3 males
2.
Midwest League
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The Midwest League is a Minor League Baseball league, established in 1954 and based in the Midwestern United States. It is a Class A league that plays a full season, the Midwest League began as the Illinois State League, then became the Mississippi–Ohio Valley League. In 1956, the Mississippi-Ohio Valley League was renamed the Midwest League, today, the league has 16 teams in two divisions. The Lansing Lugnuts and Wisconsin Timber Rattlers franchises jointly have won the most league championships, the Midwest League directly evolved from two earlier leagues in the region. In 1949, the ISL changed its name to the Mississippi–Ohio Valley League after Marion moved their franchise to Kentucky, in 1954, the Mississippi-Ohio Valley League expanded, adding teams in Clinton and Dubuque, Iowa. The Mississippi-Ohio Valley League was then renamed Midwest League in 1956, mattoon is the oldest franchise in the MWL, evolving into todays Fort Wayne TinCaps, while Clinton is the oldest MWL locale. In 1960, the Davenport, Iowa based Quad City Braves joined the league as an expansion team, in 1962, Appleton, Burlington, and Cedar Rapids joined the Midwest League from the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League which folded operations when those franchises switched leagues. All those franchised remain in the league today, in 1963, the Midwest League was designated as a Class A league, after the minor league classification structure was reorganized. The 1975 Waterloo Royals, led by future MLB All-Stars Willie Wilson, the Royals finished the season 93–35. In 1976, the Midwest League contracted from ten teams to eight, as franchises in Danville, in 1982, the league expanded from 8 to 12 teams, adding the Beloit Brewers, the Danville Suns, the Madison Muskies, and the Springfield Cardinals. The Peoria Suns relocated from Danville in 1983, and acquired their current name, Peoria Chiefs, the following year. In 1988, the league began splitting its season into two halves and expanded from 12 to 14 teams, with the addition of franchises in South Bend, Indiana, and Rockford, Illinois. Kenosha, Madison, Rockford, Springfield, Waterloo, and Wausau lost teams during this decade while Battle Creek, Dayton, Fort Wayne, Grand Rapids, Kane County, the 1978 Appleton Foxes are ranked #93 on the Top-100 All Time teams by MiLB. com. Led by future Cy Young Award winner LaMarr Hoyt, the team finished 97-40, harry Chappas, Ross Baumgarten and Britt Burns were all called up to the parent Chicago White Sox at the conclusin of the MWL season. The 97 wins by the Foxes remains a Midwest League record, the Clinton LumberKings have been in one city longer than any Midwest League team, having called Clinton, Iowa, home since 1954. The Southwest Michigan Devil Rays moved to Midland, Michigan, Year by Year championship teams, List of Midwest League champions Baseball awards#U. S. minor leagues Official Midwest League website A Fans Guide to the Midwest League
3.
South Atlantic League
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The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league with teams along the Atlantic coastline of the United States from New Jersey to Georgia. It is a Class A league that plays a full season, a number of different leagues known as the South Atlantic League have existed since 1904. The current league of that name adopted the moniker in 1980, having previously been the Western Carolinas League, there have been different South Atlantic Leagues in the history of minor league baseball, spanning from 1904 to the present with a few breaks. The league ran from 1904 to 1917 as a class C league, then started up again in 1919 and this time it ran from 1919 to 1930, moving up to class B beginning in 1921. William G. Bramham became league president in mid-1924, and served until 1930, the league was restarted again as a class B from 1936 to 1942, shut down for the war and returned in 1946 as a class A league. The AA Southern Association died after the 1961 season and so the SAL was promoted to AA in 1963 to take its place, a year later the name was changed to the Southern League. Out of the 51 seasons of operation, Augusta, Georgia competed in 46, Macon, Georgia was around for 46, and Columbia, South Carolina was in 45. Charleston, South Carolina, Jacksonville, Florida, Savannah, Georgia, the South Atlantic League name went unused for 16 years, but in 1980 the Western Carolinas League brought back the name when it sought to change its identity. Moss retired at the close of the 2007 South Atlantic League season and he died at age 90 on July 1,2009, at Kings Mountain, North Carolina—a town where he had also been mayor for 23 years. In 2005, the SAL had the highest attendance in 101 years with over 3,541,992 fans, currently, the league has 14 teams, divided into two divisions of seven clubs. In 2015, the Savannah Sand Gnats relocated to Columbia, South Carolina, the league is divided into a Northern Division and a Southern Division
4.
Cleveland Indians
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The Cleveland Indians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians compete in Major League Baseball as a club of the American League Central division. Since 1994, they have played at Progressive Field, the teams spring training facility is at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Arizona. The Indians current World Series championship drought is the longest active drought, the name Indians originated from a request by club owner Charles Somers to baseball writers to choose a new name to replace Cleveland Naps following the departure of Nap Lajoie after the 1914 season. The name referenced the nickname Indians that was applied to the Cleveland Spiders baseball club during the time when Louis Sockalexis, common nicknames for the Indians include the Tribe and the Wahoos, the latter being a reference to their logo, Chief Wahoo, a controversial Native American caricature. The teams mascot is named Slider, the franchise originated in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1894 as the Grand Rapids Rustlers, a minor league team in the Western League. The team moved to Cleveland in 1900 and changed its name to the Cleveland Lake Shores, one of the American Leagues eight charter franchises, the major league incarnation of the club was founded in Cleveland in 1901. Originally called the Cleveland Bluebirds, the played in League Park until moving permanently to Cleveland Stadium in 1946. At the end of the 2016 season, they had a regular season record of 9. In 1857 baseball games were a spectacle in Clevelands Public Squares. City authorities tried to find an ordinance forbidding it, to the joy of the crowd, – Harold Seymour 1865–1868 Forest Citys of Cleveland 1869–1872 Forest Citys of Cleveland From 1865 to 1868 Forest Citys was an amateur ball club. During the 1869 season, Cleveland was among several cities which established professional baseball teams following the success of the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings, the first fully professional team. In the newspapers before and after 1870, the team was called the Forest Citys. In 1871 the Forest Citys joined the new National Association of Professional Base Ball Players, ultimately, two of the leagues western clubs went out of business during the first season and the Chicago Fire left that citys White Stockings impoverished, unable to field a team again until 1874. Cleveland was thus the NAs westernmost outpost in 1872, the year the club folded, Cleveland played their full schedule to July 19 followed by two games versus Boston in mid-August and disbanded at the end of the season. 1879–1881 Cleveland Forest Citys 1882–1884 Cleveland Blues In 1876, the National League supplanted the NA as the professional league. Cleveland were not among its members, but by 1879 the league was looking for new entries. The Cleveland Forest Citys baseball team was then re-created, the National League required distinct colors for the 1882 season, so the Cleveland Forest Citys became the Cleveland Blues
5.
Columbus RedStixx
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The Columbus RedStixx were a minor league baseball team in Columbus, Georgia. They were a Class A team in the South Atlantic League, the RedStixx played home games at Golden Park, except during 1996. The teams home games were moved to Ragsdale Field on the campus of Columbus State University, the name RedStixx refers to the Red Sticks, a faction of Creek Indians of the area. In 1991, the South Atlantic League expanded, adding two teams, including one in Columbus, the team carried the nickname of the parent club, the Cleveland Indians, during its inaugural year. They took the name RedStixx for the remainder of their existence, in 2002, the team announced their intention to move to Eastlake, Ohio following that years regular season. The team renamed themselves the Lake County Captains, although the Redstixx left Columbus, a new team, the South Georgia Waves arrived in town the next year. Note, W = Wins, L = Losses 1- 1st half division champion2- 2nd half division champion 1991, Columbus Indians 1992-2002, Columbus RedStixx Baseball Reference
6.
Classic Park
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Classic Park is a stadium in Eastlake, Ohio, in suburban Cleveland. It is primarily used for baseball, and is the field of the Lake County Captains minor league baseball team. It was built in 2003 at a cost of $22 million, although not immediately apparent to non-locals, the stadium bears a corporate name. The naming rights were purchased by Classic Automotive Group, a large Cleveland-area chain of auto dealerships, in order to construct Classic Park, Eastlake, Ohio assumed $1 million in debt. This debt necessitated cuts in services, including the laying off of five police officers. The field was voted as the Best Playing Surface in the South Atlantic League in 2003,2004 and 2007, other features include a 4, 000-square foot indoor batting facility with two full-sized batting cages. The main clubhouse building is located beyond the right-field corner and houses both the Captains and visiting teams, each clubhouse features offices for the manager and coaching staff, a training room, and laundry facilities. The ballpark and playing field are available for rent to area businesses, many organizations play games at the stadium during the year and the team operates a fundraising program enabling teams to play games there and make money for their organization at the same time. The stadium features two large party tents which can accommodate up to 500 guests in each one, in addition, there are two private Party Decks located on the suite level which can hold up to 60 people in each one. The park also features 20 party suites which can be rented for the season, half-season, quarter-season or on a game-by-game basis, the suite level also features a full-service bar and an oversized private party suite called The Officers Club. About Classic Park Classic Park Views - Ball Parks of the Minor Leagues
7.
Golden Park
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Golden Park is a 5, 000-seat baseball stadium in Columbus, Georgia, United States, that opened in 1926. Located on the Chattahoochee River in Downtown Columbus, it currently is not home to any professional baseball team, the exterior of the Golden Park is a red brick façade and has many well-landscaped sidewalks that connect to the Chattahoochee RiverWalk. Doug Redmond led the park to the most successful park attendance record in 1992, Golden Park is named after Theodore Earnest Golden SR, co-founder of Goldens Foundry and Machine Co. Golden led the effort in Columbus for the citys first South Atlantic League team, the Taiwan Homerun Team beat the Austin Blackhawks by a score of 5-2. Golden Park Golden Park views - Ballparks of the Minor Leagues Baseball in Columbus, Georgia, by Cecil Darby
8.
Luke Carlin
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Luke Christopher Carlin is American Canadian former professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks and he was named to the All-Tournament Team at the 2002 America East Tournament, in which the Huskies finished second. On May 10,2008, Carlin made his league debut for the San Diego Padres. On May 16,2008, he came through with his first major league hit and he became a free agent at the end of the season and signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks in January 2009. On January 12,2010, Carlin signed a league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates with an invitation to spring training. On August 10,2010, Carlin was traded to the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named later and his contract was purchased by the Indians from Triple-A Columbus on September 23. Carlin was outrighted to Triple-A Columbus on October 31, removing him from the 40-man roster, Carlin refused his minor league assignment and subsequently filed for free agency. On November 29,2010, Carlin signed a league contract with the Indians. Carlin began 2012 with Columbus, hitting.227 in 20 games with 10 RBI before he was called up to Cleveland on May 26 to replace Carlos Santana and he was designated for assignment on June 12, and sent to Triple A on June 15. Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference
9.
Minor League Baseball
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All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses. Most are members of the organization known as Minor League Baseball. Several leagues, known as independent baseball leagues, do not have any links to Major League Baseball. Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball teams may enter into a PDC for a two- or four-year term. At the expiration of a PDC term, teams may renew their affiliation, or sign new PDCs with different clubs, though many relationships are renewed and endure for extended time periods. Minor League teams that are owned directly by the major league club do not have PDCs with each other and are not part of the reaffiliation shuffles that occur every other year, several more independent leagues operate in the United States and Canada. The earliest professional baseball association, the National Association of 1871 to 1875 and this system proved unworkable, however, as there was no way to ensure competitive balance, and financially unsound clubs often failed in midseason. This problem was solved in 1876 with the formation of the National League, with a membership which excluded less competitive. Professional clubs outside the National League responded by forming regional associations of their own, there was a series of ad hoc groupings, such as the New England Association of 1877 and the Eastern Championship Association of 1881. These were loose groups of independent clubs which agreed to play a series of games for a championship pennant, the first minor league is traditionally considered to be the Northwestern League of 1883 to 1884. Unlike the earlier minor associations, it was conceived as a permanent organization and it also, along with the National League and the American Association, was a party to the National Agreement of 1883. Included in this was the agreement to respect the reserve lists of clubs in each league, teams in the National League and the American Association could only reserve players who had been paid at least $1000. Northwest League teams could reserve players paid merely $750, implicitly establishing the division into major and minor leagues, over the next two decades, more minor leagues signed various versions of the National Agreement. Eventually, the minor leagues joined together to negotiate jointly, in the late 1890s, the Western League run by the fiery Ban Johnson decided to challenge the National Leagues position. Representatives of the different minor leagues met at the Leland Hotel in Chicago on September 5,1901, in response to the National–American battle, they agreed to form the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, called the NAPBL, or NA for short. The purpose of the NA at the time was to maintain the independence of the leagues involved, several did not sign the agreement and continued to work independently. Powers was made the first president of the NAPBL, whose offices were established in Auburn, in 1903, the conflict between the American and National Leagues ended in the National Agreement of 1903. The NAPBL became involved in the stages of the negotiations to develop rules for the acquisition of players from their leagues by the National
10.
WFUN (AM)
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WFUN is an AM radio station in Ashtabula, Ohio, United States, broadcasting at 970 kHz with a sports radio format. It is one of four stations in the Media One Groups Ashtabula cluster, the station signed on the air in 1937 as WICA. WICA started an FM sister station, WICA-FM, on 103.7 MHz around 1950, the dial position of WICA-FM soon moved to the current spot of 97.1 MHz, duplicating the programming of the AM station. Both AM and FM stations were owned by Richard D. WICA and WICA-FM later became WREO and WREO-FM, taking their calls from the company name Radio Enterprises of Ohio, Inc. WREO would change its call sign to WFUN on July 3,1978, taking the letters of a legendary AM Top 40 station in Miami. The call letters WREO were retained by the sister FM station, in May 2000 the Rowleys sold the stations and WZOO-FM to Clear Channel. WFUNs oldies format was dropped in February 2001 for a standard format, adding Dr. Laura, Jim Rome, Coast to Coast AM. Morning drive on the station remained throughout this time, evolving into basic a local news and political talk show hosted by Roger McCoy. Clear Channel sold their Ashtabula cluster, including WFUN, in September 2007 to Media One Group, logo before 2007 Since 2012 WFUN has served as the ESPN Radio affiliate for Erie, Pennsylvania due to WRIE taking the CBS Sports Radio affiliation. Rowley, the founders of WICA AM/FM, also started WICA-TV on channel 15 in the 1950s, WICA-TV started broadcasting on September 19,1953, but quietly signed off around June 21,1956. The Rowley family then reactivated WICA-TV on April 4,1966, as was in its first incarnation, WICA-TV was again hampered with no network programming, an often overused and limited film library of mediocre and low rental fare. In addition, WICA-TV still broadcast only in black-and-white when most stations already converted to color, WICA-TV signed off for good on December 26,1967, with its license returned to the FCC. The UHF antenna is the remaining element of WICA-TVs existence. Query the FCCs AM station database for WFUN Radio-Locator Information on WFUN Query Nielsen Audios AM station database for WFUN WICA-TV at the UHF Morgue
11.
WINT (AM)
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WINT – branded Integrity Radio – is a commercial talk radio station licensed to Willoughby, Ohio, serving Lake County and eastern parts of Greater Cleveland. The station also broadcasts several IndyCar races each season in partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network, WINT airs programs hosted by nationally syndicated personalities Sean Hannity, The Dave Ramsey Show, and The Laura Ingraham Show, Rusty Humphries Trending Today USA, and Dana Loesch. Several locally produced shows alo air on WINT focusing on a variety of topics from business, health, veterans and senior issues to tech and computers, automotives. WINTs highly regarded morning drive program, The Wake Up Show is hosted live from the studios and features interviews with local and national newsmakers, authors, politicians, the station first broadcast on January 27,1965, as WELW, with its first format being religious. Subsequently, it has had Top 40, country music, oldies, WELW almost always has broadcast nationally music shows and some religious programs. Spirit Broadcasting assumed ownership in February 1990, and this has been the longest ownership in station history, over the years, the station has been honored countless times for its community service, as well as receiving Associated Press awards. On March 31,2014, WELW announced that they had changed their call letters to WINT, the station also announced its intention to upgrade their signal to serve more of the Cleveland radio market, as well as finding an FM station on which to simulcast. In July,2015, WINT began broadcasting on 101. 5FM, WINT offers a variety of programming, including national talk radio programs hosted by Laura Ingraham, Sean Hannity, Rusty Humphries, Dana Loesch and Dave Ramsey. WINT features a morning drive program, The Wake Up Show. Nationality programming is aired on Sunday mornings, including Slovenian, Croatian, Italian, German, Polish. WINT offers a part of its broadcast schedule for purchase by program providers. WINT has been the station of the Lake County Captains minor league baseball team since they moved to Ohio in 2003. In 2014 WINT added NASCAR and IndyCar races to its programming. com which was the first of its kind in the world, known as the Worlds Polka Network, it features polka hosts and music from across the United States and Canada. com
12.
Cleveland
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Cleveland is a city in the U. S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the states second most populous county. The city proper has a population of 388,072, making Cleveland the 51st largest city in the United States, Greater Cleveland ranked as the 32nd largest metropolitan area in the United States, with 2,055,612 people in 2016. The city is the center of the Cleveland–Akron–Canton Combined Statistical Area, the city is located on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately 60 miles west of the Pennsylvania border. Clevelands economy has diversified sectors that include manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, Cleveland is also home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Residents of Cleveland are called Clevelanders, Cleveland has many nicknames, the oldest of which in contemporary use being The Forest City. Cleaveland oversaw the plan for what would become the downtown area, centered on Public Square, before returning home. The first settler in Cleaveland was Lorenzo Carter, who built a cabin on the banks of the Cuyahoga River, the Village of Cleaveland was incorporated on December 23,1814. In spite of the swampy lowlands and harsh winters, its waterfront location proved to be an advantage. The area began rapid growth after the 1832 completion of the Ohio, growth continued with added railroad links. Cleveland incorporated as a city in 1836, in 1836, the city, then located only on the eastern banks of the Cuyahoga River, nearly erupted into open warfare with neighboring Ohio City over a bridge connecting the two. Ohio City remained an independent municipality until its annexation by Cleveland in 1854, the citys prime geographic location as a transportation hub on the Great Lakes has played an important role in its development as a commercial center. Cleveland serves as a point for iron ore shipped from Minnesota. In 1870, John D. Rockefeller founded Standard Oil in Cleveland, other manufacturers located in Cleveland produced steam-powered cars, which included White and Gaeth, as well as the electric car company Baker. Because of the significant growth, Cleveland was known as the Sixth City during this period, by 1920, due in large part to the citys economic prosperity, Cleveland became the nations fifth largest city. The city counted Progressive Era politicians such as the populist Mayor Tom L. Johnson among its leaders, many prominent Clevelanders from this era are buried in the historic Lake View Cemetery, including President James A. Garfield, and John D. Rockefeller. In commemoration of the centennial of Clevelands incorporation as a city, conceived as a way to energize a city after the Great Depression, it drew four million visitors in its first season, and seven million by the end of its second and final season in September 1937. The exposition was housed on grounds that are now used by the Great Lakes Science Center, following World War II, the city experienced a prosperous economy. In sports, the Indians won the 1948 World Series, the hockey Barons became champions of the American Hockey League, as a result, along with track and boxing champions produced, Cleveland was dubbed City of Champions in sports at this time
13.
Columbus Catfish
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The Columbus Catfish were a minor league baseball team in Columbus, Georgia. They were a Class A team in the South Atlantic League, the Catfish relocated to Bowling Green, Kentucky, for the 2009 season. The Catfish played home games at Golden Park, the team colors were royal blue, peach, and sand. The name Catfish referred to the fish of the same name, the city of Columbus and Golden Park itself lie on the Chattahoochee. The peach in the Catfish logo indicates that they are from the state of Georgia and not the Columbus Clippers of Columbus, in 2007, the Catfish swept the West Virginia Power in three games to win their first South Atlantic league championship. The team left Wilmington after one season due to the lack of a permanent stadium, the Waves moved to Albany, Georgia, for one season until settling in Columbus, which had lost the RedStixx prior to the 2003 season. The team was known as the South Georgia Waves during its season in Albany. The team was sold to New Hampshire Fisher Cats owner Art Solomon in April,2008, Solomon would move the team to Bowling Green, Kentucky, for the 2009 season, where the team would be known as the Bowling Green Hot Rods. Tommy Lasorda, Tiffanys boyhood idol, saw the performance, june 10,2004, Catfish pitcher Julio Pimentel set all-time Columbus records, outdueling Rome Braves pitcher Chuck James by striking out the first 8 batters, and 16 total in game 1 of doubleheader. September 13,2007, Catfish defeat West Virginia Power 6-0 in game 3 to clinch their first South Atlantic league championship in a three-game sweep, Columbus Catfish Bowling Green Professional Baseball
14.
Bowling Green, Kentucky
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Bowling Green is a home rule-class city in and the county seat of Warren County, Kentucky, United States. Founded by pioneers in 1798, Bowling Green was the capital of Confederate Kentucky during the American Civil War. The city was the inspiration for the 1967 Everly Brothers song Bowling Green and it is the home of numerous manufacturers, including General Motors and Fruit of the Loom. The Bowling Green Assembly Plant has been the source of all Chevrolet Corvettes built since 1981, Bowling Green is also home to the states second-largest public university, Western Kentucky University. In 2014, Forbes magazine listed Bowling Green as one of the Top 25 Best Places to Retire in the United States, the first Europeans known to have reached the area carved their names on beech trees near the river around 1775. By 1778, settlers established McFaddens Station on the bank of the Barren River. Present-day Bowling Green grew out of homesteads erected by Robert and George Moore and General Elijah Covington, the Moore brothers arrived from Virginia circa 1794. In 1798, only two years after Warren County had been formed, Robert Moore donated 2 acres of land to county trustees for the purpose of constructing public buildings, soon after, he donated an additional 30 to 40 acres surrounding the original plot. The city of Bowling Green was officially incorporated by the Commonwealth of Kentucky on March 6,1798, some controversy exists over the source of the towns name. Some historians dispute this, however, and credit Bowling Green, Virginia, early records indicate that the city name was also spelled Bowlingreen. By 1810, Bowling Green had 154 residents, growth in steamboat commerce and the proximity of the Barren River increased Bowling Greens importance. Canal locks and dams on the Barren River made it more navigable. In 1832, the first portage railway connected the river to the location of the current county courthouse, mules pulled freight and passengers to and from the city on the tracks. Despite rapid urbanization of the Bowling Green area in the 1830s, Bowling Green declared itself neutral in an attempt to escape the Civil War. Because of its location and resources, however, both the Union and Confederacy sought control of the city. The majority of its residents rejected both the Confederacy and the Lincoln administration, on September 18,1861, around 1300 Confederate soldiers arrived from Tennessee to occupy the city, placed under command of Kentucky native General Simon Bolivar Buckner. The citys pro-Union feelings surprised the Confederate occupiers, surrounding hills were fortified to secure possible military approaches to the valuable river and railroad assets. In November 1861, the provisional Confederate government of Kentucky chose Bowling Green as its capital and they destroyed bridges across the Barren River, the railroad depot, and other important buildings that could be used by the enemy
15.
West Virginia Power
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The West Virginia Power is a minor league baseball team of the South Atlantic League, and is the Class A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. They are located in Charleston, West Virginia, the team plays their home games at Appalachian Power Park, which opened in 2005 and currently seats 4,500 fans. The history of baseball in Charleston, dates back to 1910. In 1911, the Statesmen moved to the Class D Mountain State League, a new team, the Charleston Senators was formed in 1914 and lasted three seasons in the Class D Ohio State League. In 1931, a new Senators team joined the Class C Mid-Atlantic League as an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, in 1949, the Senators were reformed as a member of the Class A Central League. In 1952, the city was granted a franchise in the Triple-A American Association, at first, this team was affiliated with the Chicago White Sox, then the Detroit Tigers, and finally the Washington Senators. In 1958, the Charleston Senators won the American Association championship, the franchise ceased operations after the 1960 season. In 1962, the Charleston Indians, affiliated with the Cleveland Indians, moved to the city in the Class-A Eastern League, the team folded after the 1964 season. Baseball returned to the city in 1971 with the Charleston Charlies of the International League, the Charlies played in the International League from 1971 to 1983. The team was the relocated Columbus Jets, the Charlies were affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, and finally the Cleveland Indians. The team won the championship in 1973 and 1977. The Charlies left for Maine following the 1983 season, and, after several moves, today, the Power sell nostalgic throwback merchandise from the Pittsburgh-affiliated era of the Charlies, which is generally considered the pinnacle of the baseball in the city. In 1987, the city resumed minor league baseball after a three-year absence, the new team was first called the Charleston Wheelers, so named for the citys history of stern- and side-wheeled boats. In 1988, the became the Chicago Cubs third full-season Class A franchise. The only two players on that 1988 squad to reach the Major Leagues were SS Alex Arias and C Matt Walbeck, the Wheelers won the Class A South Atlantic League championship in 1990, the only league title for the franchise. By that point, they had changed affiliation to the Cincinnati Reds, in late 1993, the Wheelers were purchased from then-owner Dennis Bastien by a conglomerate of owners. The team changed its name to the Charleston Alley Cats in 1995 and switched colors from blue and white, with trim, to grey and red. The team was purchased in 2001 by Tom Dickson and Sherrie Myers, in 1995, the team changed affiliation to the Kansas City Royals, again in 2001 to the Toronto Blue Jays, to the Milwaukee Brewers after the 2004 season, and finally joined the Pirates in 2009
16.
Charleston, West Virginia
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Charleston is the capital and largest city of the U. S. state of West Virginia. It is located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers in Kanawha County, as of the 2013 Census Estimate, it had a population of 50,821, while its metropolitan area had 224,743. It is a center of government, commerce, and industry, early industries important to Charleston included salt and the first natural gas well. Later, coal became central to economic prosperity in the city, today, trade, utilities, government, medicine, and education play central roles in the citys economy. The first permanent settlement, Ft. Lee, was built in 1788, in 1791, Daniel Boone was a member of the Kanawha County Assembly. Charleston is the home of the West Virginia Power minor league team, the West Virginia Wild minor league basketball team. Yeager Airport and the University of Charleston are also located in the city, West Virginia University and the WVU Institute of Technology, Marshall University, and West Virginia State University also have higher education campuses in the area. Charleston is also home to McLaughlin Air National Guard Base of the West Virginia Air National Guard, after the American Revolutionary War, pioneers began making their way out from the early settlements. Many slowly migrated into the part of Virginia. Capitalizing on its resources made Charleston an important part of Virginia. Today, Charleston is the largest city in the state and the state capital, Charlestons history goes back to the 18th century. Thomas Bullitt was deeded 1,250 acres of land near the mouth of the Elk River in 1773 and it was inherited by his brother, Cuthbert Bullitt, upon his death in 1778, and sold to Col. George Clendenin in 1786. The first permanent settlement, Fort Lee, was built in 1787 by Col. Savannah Clendenin and this structure occupied the area that is now the intersection of Brooks Street and Kanawha Boulevard. Historical conjecture indicates that Charleston is named after Col. Clendenins father, Charles Town was later shortened to Charleston to avoid confusion with another Charles Town in eastern West Virginia, which was named after George Washingtons brother Charles. Six years later, the Virginia General Assembly officially established Charleston, on the 40 acres that made up the town in 1794,35 people inhabited seven houses. Charleston is part of Kanawha County, the origin of the word Kanawha, Kanawha, derives from the regions Iroquois dialects meaning water way or Canoe Way implying the metaphor, transport way, in the local language. It was and is the name of the river flows through Charleston. The grammar of the hard H sound soon dropped out as new arrivals of various European languages developed West Virginia, the phrase has been a matter of Register
17.
Columbus, Georgia
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Columbus is a city in the U. S. state of Georgia and the county seat of Muscogee County, with which it is consolidated. According to the 2013 estimates from the U. S. Census Bureau, Columbus has a population of 202,824 residents, with 316,554 in the greater Columbus-Phenix City metropolitan area. The metro area joins the nearby Alabama cities of Auburn and Opelika to form the Columbus-Auburn-Opelika Combined Statistical Area, Columbus is directly to the east across the Chattahoochee River from Phenix City, Alabama. Situated at the heart of the Chattahoochee Valley, Columbus is Georgias second-largest city, Columbus lies 100 miles southwest of Atlanta. Fort Benning, home of the United States Army Infantry School, Columbus is home to museums and tourism sites, including the National Infantry Museum, dedicated to the United States Armys Infantry Branch. It has the longest urban whitewater rafting course in the world constructed on the Chattahoochee River and this was for centuries and more the traditional territory of the Creek Indians, who became known as one of the Five Civilized Tribes of the Southeast after European contact. Those who lived closest to white-occupied areas conducted considerable trading and adopted some European-American ways, the city was named for Christopher Columbus, its founders likely influenced by the writings of Washington Irving. The plan for the city was drawn up by Dr. Edwin L. DeGraffenried, the citys commercial importance increased in the 1850s with the arrival of the railroad. In addition, textile mills were developed along the river, bringing industry to an area reliant upon agriculture. By 1860, the city was one of the important industrial centers of the South, earning it the nickname the Lowell of the South. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, the industries of Columbus expanded their production, during the war, Columbus ranked second to Richmond in the manufacture of supplies for the Confederate army. In addition to textiles, the city had an ironworks, a factory. Wilson attacked the city and burned many of the industrial buildings, john Stith Pemberton, who later developed Coca-Cola in Columbus, was wounded in this battle. After becoming addicted to morphine, Pemberton sought out a replacement for his addiction, after creating Coca-Cola, he carried it to Atlanta before he died in 1888. Col. Charles Augustus Lafayette Lamar, owner of the last slave ship in America, was killed here. A historic marker has been erected in Columbus and it notes that this was the site of the Last Land Battle in the War from 1861 to 1865. Reconstruction began almost immediately and prosperity followed, factories such as the Eagle and Phenix Mills were revived and the industrialization of the town led to rapid growth, the city outgrew its original plan. The Springer Opera House was built on 10th Street, attracting such notables as British writer Oscar Wilde, the Springer is now the official State Theater of Georgia
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Naming rights
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For properties like a multi-purpose arena, performing arts venue or an athletic field, the term ranges from three to 20 years. Longer terms are common for higher profile venues such as a professional sports facility. The distinctive characteristic for this type of naming rights is that the buyer gets a marketing property to promote products and services, there are several forms of corporate sponsored names. A presenting sponsor attaches the name of the corporation or brand at the end of a generic, usually traditional, a title sponsor replaces the original name of the property with a corporate-sponsored one, with no reference to the previous name. In a few cases, naming rights contracts have been terminated prematurely, such terminations may be the result of contractual options, sponsor bankruptcy, or scandals. Stadium naming may have shifted in recent years to promoting corporate trade names, the record for the highest amount paid for naming rights belongs to Citi Field and Barclays Center, both located in New York City, US. Each garnered deals of $20 million per year for at least 20 years and it ultimately fell short of that benchmark, with MetLife Stadium earning $17 million annually from its naming rights deal with MetLife. Naming rights in United States may have traced back to 1912 with the opening of Fenway Park in Boston. The stadiums owner had owned a realty company called Fenway Realty, despite this, it is more widely believed to have begun in 1926 when William Wrigley, the chewing gum magnate and owner of the Chicago Cubs, named his teams stadium Wrigley Field. In 1953, Anheuser-Busch head and St. Louis Cardinals owner August Busch, Jr. proposed renaming Sportsmans Park, occupied by the Cardinals, Budweiser Stadium. When this idea was rejected by Ford Frick, the Commissioner of Baseball at that time, the name was readily approved, and Anheuser-Busch subsequently released a new product called Busch Bavarian Beer. The name would later be shifted to the Busch Memorial Stadium in 1966, shortened in the 1970s to Busch Stadium, the public reaction to this practice is mixed. Selling the naming rights to a venue has been notably less successful. The general public continued to call the facility what it had known as for over three decades–i. e. After the agreement with 3Com expired, the rights were resold to Monster Cable, the initiative proved largely ceremonial, however, and it was overturned by the passage of Proposition C in 2009 in response to desperate economic times. The naming rights to the park were never resold and the closed in 2014. Sports stadiums with naming rights deals are not limited to the United States, in cricket, the most famous example is The Oval, home of Surrey County Cricket Club. It has had several sponsors over the years, and is known as The Kia Oval, having originally been known as the Kennington Oval
19.
Steve Kline (left-handed pitcher)
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Kline attended West Virginia University, where he played college baseball for the Mountaineers. Known for his colorful sound bites, he has accused umpires of favoring the New York Yankees and has said he thought about putting one ump in the Kobra Klutch. One of Klines signature pitches is a sinker that seems to roll off the kitchen table and he utilized this pitch frequently when serving as a setup man for the St. Louis Cardinals. He also had an average slider that he often featured against left handed batters throughout his career. Though he did not bat often, Kline, a switch hitter, Kline was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 8th round of the 1993 draft as a starting pitcher. Following a difficult season in 1996, where Kline went 8-12 with a 5.46 ERA at the Double A level, Kline made his major league debut with the Indians in their 1997 season opener. He entered in the 6th inning with 1 out and a runner on base and he induced a flyout from Scott Spiezio for his first major league out, and the baserunner was caught stealing on the next pitch. He earned his first major win as the Indians rallied to take the lead in the next half inning with Kline as the pitcher of record. He would go on to strike out his first major league batter in his next appearance, Kline ultimately struggled early in the season, and was sent back down to Triple A, where he continued to be used primarily as a reliever. At the 1997 MLB Trading Deadline, Kline was traded to the Montreal Expos for pitcher Jeff Juden, Kline appeared in 26 games with the Expos in 1997, though he struggled to a 6.15 ERA. Combined, his 1997 ERA between both Montreal and Cleveland was 5.98, however, Kline began to take big strides forward as a left handed reliever during the 1998 season. He held left handed batters to a.178 average, and he earned his first major league save on August 9 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, entering the game to start the 8th inning in a save situation, and finishing off what became an 8-2 victory. He finished 1998 with a 2.76 ERA in 78 appearances and his 78 appearances tied for second in the National League with Robb Nen and Chuck McElroy, and sixth in baseball. In 1999 and 2000, he continued his strong pitching and he posted a career high total for wins in a single season in 1999, and achieved a rare feat by striking out 4 batters in an inning against the San Francisco Giants on August 17. In 2000, Kline was actually used as the closer in June and part of July, during his time in St. Louis, Kline quickly became a fan favorite, known for the dirty hat he always wore when pitching. It was even inspiration for a Cardinals promotion at the ballpark in 2002, which the team called Steve Kline Hat Day, Kline was also active in the community with charity work, and quickly became known as an everyman who enjoyed spending time with fans and signing autographs. It was the third consecutive season Kline had tied or led MLB in appearances and he held left-handed batters to a.149 batting average. Additionally, not only did Kline not allow a batter to hit a home run off him all season
20.
Russell Branyan
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Russell Oles Branyan is an American former professional baseball first baseman. He throws right-handed, bats left-handed, and primarily played first base, but was capable of playing third base, Branyan began his professional career in the Cleveland Indians minor league system. His major league debut was with the Indians on September 26,1998, dubbed Russell The Muscle, for his ability to hit long-distance home runs Branyan does not typically hit for a high batting average and strikes out frequently. However, he consistently draws walks and hits home runs, Branyan has been given the nickname 3TO, which stands for three true outcomes, for his propensity to either draw a walk, strike out, or hit a home run. One of the three occurred in 50. 5% of his plate appearances during his major-league career. Because of this, players such as Jack Cust have drawn comparisons to Branyan, Branyan was a 1994 graduate from Stratford Academy. His high school fostered such athletic talent like professional football player Le Kevin Smith, Branyan was selected as an All-Georgia State player in both 1993 and 1994. He was drafted out of Stratford Academy in the 1994 Major League Baseball draft by the Cleveland Indians in the seventh round, Branyan began his professional career with the rookie-level Burlington Indians of the Appalachian League in 1994. He batted.211 with 10 doubles, five runs and 13 RBIs in 55 games. The next two seasons,1995 and 1996, Branyan played with the Class-A Columbus RedStixx of the South Atlantic League and he was named the South Atlantic League Most Valuable Player in 1996 after he set a league record for most home runs in a single season, with 40. The previous record was held by Mike Simms who hit 39 home runs in 1987 and he was second in home runs and ninth in RBIs in all of minor league baseball in 1996. He was named the Indians 1996 Minor League Player of the Year, in 1997, with both the Class-A Advanced Kinston Indians and the Double-A Akron Aeros, he led all minor league baseball in home runs with 39. Russell Branyan was once considered a top prospect in the Cleveland Indians organization, in 1998 a strained tendon in his right wrist kept him on the disabled list for most of the season. In 1999 for the Bisons, he batted.208 and hit 30 home runs, Branyan was first called up to the Cleveland Indians in 1998. In his major debut on September 26,1998, Branyan went 0-for-4. The next season,1999, Branyan played 11 games with Cleveland, batting.211 with one home run, Branyan got his first hit on July 23,1999 off of New York Yankees pitcher David Cone. In 2001, Branyan continued his struggles, hitting.238 with 16 homers, after the 1999 season, Baseball America named Branyan as the Indians top prospect. On June 1,2000 he hit two home runs in one game, the first two home run game of his career, in 2001, an injury to Travis Fryman moved Branyan to third for a good part of the season
21.
Kyle Hudson
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Kyle Jordan Hudson is an American professional baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. He played in Major League Baseball for the Baltimore Orioles in 2011, Hudson played college baseball and college football at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. He started at receiver for the Fighting Illini in 2005,2006 and 2007. Hudson was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft. Hudson was called up to the majors for the first time on September 1,2011, Hudson was released by the Orioles as of January 17,2012. On January 28, he signed a league contract with the Texas Rangers. He also received an invitation to spring training, on March 31,2012, Hudson was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays for future considerations. In May 2012, Hudson was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for Rich Thompson, Hudson signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in December 2013. On January 22,2014 he was assigned to AAA Salt Lake Bees, on March 27,2014 he was demoted to AA Arkansas Travelers. He was released by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on July 2,2014. Hudson agreed to a job as an assistant as the University of Illinois in January 2015 though he later, on June 13,2015. He appeared in nine games for the Class-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference Illinois Fighting Illini bio
22.
Chris Archer
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Christopher Alan Chris Archer is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball. He attended Clayton High School in Clayton, North Carolina, Archer was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the fifth round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his MLB debut on June 20,2012, Archer was selected to the 2015 MLB All-Star Game. Archer attended Clayton High School in Clayton, North Carolina, where he played for the baseball team. He signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Miami, Archer pitched to an 8–3 win–loss record with a 1.75 earned run average during his senior season at Clayton. Archer was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft. He joined the Rookie-level Gulf Coast Indians after signing and he also pitched in one game for the Burlington Indians of the Rookie-level Appalachian League. Archer remained with the Gulf Coast Indians to start the 2007 season, in 2008, Archer had a 4–8 win–loss record in 27 games started for the Lake County Captains of the Class A South Atlantic League. On December 31,2008, he was traded with John Gaub, Archer pitched for the Peoria Chiefs of the Class A Midwest League during the 2009 season. In 2010, Archer had a 15–3 win-loss record with a 2.34 earned run average between the Daytona Cubs of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League and Tennessee Smokies of the Class AA Southern League. With Daytona, he had a streak of 41 innings pitched without allowing an earned run. He was named the Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Year, after the season, he pitched for the United States national baseball team in the qualifying tournament for the 2011 Pan American Games. Defeating the Cuban national baseball team, USA Baseball called Archers game the International Performance of the Year. In January 2011, the Cubs traded Archer to the Tampa Bay Rays with Hak-Ju Lee, Brandon Guyer, Robinson Chirinos and Sam Fuld for Matt Garza, Fernando Perez, at the start of the season, he was rated the 27th best prospect in baseball by Baseball America. Pitching for the Montgomery Biscuits of the Southern League, Archer had a 5.85 ERA through the first two months of the season and a 5.27 ERA at the end of the first half of the season. In the second half, he made a turnaround, going 5–4 with a 3.45 ERA. He received a promotion to the Durham Bulls of the Class AAA International League, Baseball America rated Archer the Rays third best prospect and the 89th best prospect in baseball before the 2012 season. Archer pitched to a 4–8 win–loss record with a 4.81 ERA in 14 games started for Durham to start the 2012 season and he was promoted to the major leagues for the first time on June 20, starting in place of the injured Jeremy Hellickson
23.
Alan Embree
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Alan Duane Embree is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He bats and throws left-handed, and was used as a left-handed specialist, Embree attended Prairie High School in Brush Prairie, Washington and was a letterman in football, basketball, baseball. In baseball, he won All-Conference honors, Embree relies primarily on two pitches, a 90 to 95 MPH four-seam fastball, and a sharp slider that is very effective when he can keep it down. In his younger days, Embrees fastball was clocked as high as 96 to 98 mph, during his time with the Red Sox, he began to throw his fastball at slightly lower velocity in order to avoid injuring his arm. He also refined his slider into a pitch, whereas before. He is particularly difficult for left-handed hitters, and he is not afraid to throw inside, an excellent fielder, he has a good move to first that keeps runners close. From 1992 through 2004, Embree had posted a 28-28 record with a 4.38 ERA, in 2004, Embree recorded the final out against the New York Yankees in Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS. The Red Sox went on to win the World Series and Embree received his World Series ring on Opening Day,2005, in 2005 with the Boston Red Sox, Embrees record was 1-4 with a 7.65 ERA in 43 outings. As a result of these numbers, Embree was designated for assignment on July 19. He was signed by the New York Yankees on July 30 to replace Buddy Groom who was designated for assignment, on December 6,2006 it was announced that Embree agreed to a two-year deal with the Oakland Athletics including an option for the 2009 season. Embree spent the bulk of his serving as the teams closer while Huston Street was injured for a prolonged period. On December 13,2008 it was announced that Embree had agreed to a deal with the Colorado Rockies for the 2009 season. On July 7,2009 Embree became only the second pitcher since 1990 to be awarded a win without throwing a single pitch and this is because he was able to pick a man off at 1st base. On July 10,2009, Embrees right tibia was broken after he was struck in the leg by a drive off the bat of Atlanta Brave Martín Prado. The injury required surgery and caused Embree to miss the rest of the 2009 season, on March 20,2010, the Boston Red Sox signed Embree to a Minor League contract with a Major League Spring Training invitation. Embree had a clause in his contract that would grant him a release by April 15 if he was not on the league roster. He opted to remain with the Boston organization and was called up on April 28, however, he was designated for assignment on May 1 without appearing in a game. On May 11,2010, the Chicago White Sox signed Embree, on Nov 8,2012, Embree was named the Pitching Coach for the Bend Elks Baseball Club in Bend, Oregon
24.
Maicer Izturis
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Maicer Eduardo Izturis is a Venezuelan former professional baseball infielder. During his career he played for the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Izturis is the half brother of shortstop César Izturis and minor league shortstop Julio Izturis. Izturis was signed by the Cleveland Indians as a free agent on April 1,1998. He, and Ryan Church were traded to the Montreal Expos for Scott Stewart on January 5,2004, in 2004, Izturis hit.338 with three home runs and 36 RBI for the Triple-A Edmonton Trappers before being promoted to the Major League level with the Montreal Expos. He registered a hit in his August 27,2004 debut, in 32 games with the Expos, Izturis hit.206 with one home run and 14 RBI. On November 19,2004, Izturis was traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim along with outfielder Juan Rivera for outfielder José Guillén. In a game against the Cleveland Indians on July 17,2006, he had a high four hits in one game. Izturis speaks to the press through an interpreter, on January 25,2010, the Angels signed Izturis to a three-year contract worth $10 million, avoiding arbitration. FanGraphs Matthew Carruth called it a fantastic deal at a discounted rate estimating his market value at about $20 million over three years. After Scot Shields retirement following the 2010 season, as well as the trade of Juan Rivera to the Toronto Blue Jays, Izturis became the longest-tenured Angel. On November 8,2012, the Toronto Blue Jays announced that they had signed the free agent Izturis to a three-year $9 million deal with a $3 million club option for 2016 and his option has a $1 million buyout. On August 1,2013, Izturis returned to Angel Stadium of Anaheim for the first time as a visitor and he was placed on the 15-day disabled list on August 22 with a sprained left ankle. Ryan Goins was called up to replace Izturis and he was moved to the 60-day disabled list on August 24, effectively ending his first season as a Blue Jay. Izturis batted.236 in 2013 with 5 home runs and 32 RBI in 107 games, Izturis told the team he heard two loud pops when he tripped, and was taken for a MRI the following day. The MRI determined that he had torn his collateral ligament in his left knee. Izturis told reporters he would seek an opinion before undergoing surgery. He was later put on the 60-day disabled list, in 11 games in 2014, Izturis batted.286 with 1 RBI. Izturis suffered a groin strain near the end of 2015 spring training, on May 1, he was transferred to the 60-day disabled list
25.
Francisco Lindor
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Francisco Miguel Lindor, nicknamed Paquito, is a Puerto Rican professional baseball shortstop in Major League Baseball. He currently plays for the Cleveland Indians, with whom he made his MLB debut on June 14,2015, in 2016, Lindor earned his first World Series appearance as a member of the American League pennant-winning Indians. With Puerto Rico, he was a silver medalist in the WBC, Lindor batted over.300 in both his first two major league seasons and provided outstanding defense. In 2016, he earned each of his first All-Star selection, Gold Glove Award and he placed second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2015 and was a selection to the 2017 All-World Baseball Classic Team. Born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, Lindor began playing baseball at an early age and he became the Indians first round selection, and eighth overall, in the 2011 MLB draft. In the minor leagues, he participated in the 2012 All-Star Futures Game, Lindor was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, on November 14,1993, the third of four children. Lindor moved to Florida at the age of 12, with his father, stepmother, after he signed with the Cleveland Indians in August 2011, his family joined him in Florida. Lindor attended Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, the schools baseball facility was named after him in 2013. He was named to the USA Today All-USA high school baseball team, the Indians drafted Lindor in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft. He had full-ride scholarship offer in place with the Florida State Seminoles baseball team, in September, Lindor was drafted by the Indios de Mayagüez in the second round of the Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clementes first year draft. However, he has been unable to play due to Clevelands intervention. On May 7,2014, the Indios de Mayagüez traded Lindors LBPRC player rights to the Gigantes de Carolina in exchange for Carlos Correa, Lindor began his professional career appearing in five games with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers during the 2011 season. MLB. com rated Lindor as the 32nd best prospect in baseball before the 2012 season and he was assigned to the Lake County Captains of the Class A Midwest League, and named to appear in the 2012 All-Star Futures Game. With Lake County, Lindor had a.257 batting average with 33 extra-base hits and 27 stolen bases, prior to the 2013 season, Baseball America ranked him as the Indians top prospect. Lindor started the 2013 season with the Carolina Mudcats of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League and he was promoted to the Akron Aeros of the Class AA Eastern League on July 15,2013. Between the two levels, Lindor batted.303 with 31 extra-base hits,25 stolen bases, and 34 runs batted in, Lindor began the 2014 season with Akron. The Indians promoted Lindor to the Columbus Clippers of the Class AAA International League on July 21,2014, Lindor began the 2015 season with Columbus. The Indians purchased Lindors contract from Columbus on June 14,2015 and he made his debut with the Indians that day as a pinch hitter
26.
Torey Lovullo
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Salvatore Anthony Torey Lovullo is an American professional baseball infielder who is currently the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball. In his playing days he was listed at 6 feet 1 inch tall and 185 pounds and was a switch hitter who threw right-handed. Lovullo served as the first base coach for the Toronto Blue Jays from 2011 to 2012 and he also served as Bostons interim manager for the final seven weeks of the 2015 season when his boss, John Farrell, stepped aside for successful treatment for lymphoma. Lovullo compiled a record of 28–20 from August 14,2015, through the final day of the season. A native of Santa Monica, California, he is an alumnus of the University of California, Los Angeles, his father, Sam, was a producer on the television show Hee Haw. Lovullo was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the round of the 1987 Major League Baseball draft. After his MLB career ended, Lovullo spent one season in Japan as a member of the Yakult Swallows in 2000 and his managing career included service in the Indians and Red Sox organizations. Lovullo first reached the Major Leagues for a trial in September 1988. Lovullo would play one season and parts of seven others in the Majors. In his only campaign,1993 with the Angels, he appeared in 116 games played. He was the Angels most-used second baseman, starting in 79 of the teams 162 games and he was a teammate that season of pitcher John Farrell, and formed an association that would influence Lovullos managerial and coaching career. Altogether, Lovullo appeared in 303 MLB games, including 133 at second base and he batted.224 in 737 at bats, collecting 165 total hits, including 15 home runs,60 runs batted in,35 doubles and one triple. In Japan in 1999 he played in only 29 games and batted.197 with one home run, Lovullos off-field career began in the Cleveland organization in 2001 as a minor league infield coach. He then moved up to the High Class A Kinston Indians and the Double-A Akron Aeros, which he piloted to an 84–58 win-loss record and the Eastern League championship. His 2005 success led to his first MLB managerial audition, when he was invited to interview for the vacant managerial job for the Los Angeles Dodgers prior to the 2006 season. When the Dodgers settled on Grady Little for their position, Lovullo resumed managing in the Indians organization as skipper of the Buffalo Bisons. During Lovullos playing career, he had spent all or parts of three seasons as a player for the Bisons and won two championships, one in the American Association and one in the International League. In three campaigns as the Bisons manager, he led the club to two winning records, and compiled a mark of 214–212 and he also interviewed for the Pittsburgh Pirates managerial vacancy after the 2007 season
27.
Jhonny Peralta
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Jhonny Antonio Peralta is a Dominican professional baseball shortstop and third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. The Cleveland Indians signed him as a free agent from his native country in 1999. He made his Major League debut for the Indians four years later and has played for the Detroit Tigers. Known as an offensive and capable defensive shortstop, Peralta is a three-time MLB All-Star selection. Buffalo were also the International League champions that same season, since 2005, Peralta has reached double figures in home runs and 27 doubles each year. He has set single-season home run records for shortstops for two franchises – for the Indians in 2005, and the Cardinals in 2014, while a member of the Tigers in 2013, he served a 50-game suspension for his role in the Biogenesis performance-enhancing drug scandal. He is signed with the Cardinals through the 2017 season, the Cleveland Indians signed Jhonny Peralta as an amateur free agent in 1999 and assigned him to the Dominican Summer League Indians that season. Peralta batted.303 with a.398 on-base percentage and a.514 slugging percentage and those figures were boosted by an unsustainable.373 batting average on balls in play. Nevertheless, the Indians promoted him aggressively, in 2000, the 18-year-old Peralta played for the Columbus RedStixx, the Class A affiliate of the Indians in the South Atlantic League. He batted.241 in 106 games, playing all but one game at shortstop, the following season he advanced to the Kinston Indians, the Cleveland Indians High-A affiliate in the Carolina League. In 2002, Peralta moved up to the Double-A Akron Aeros, in 2003, he batted.257 in 63 games with the Buffalo Bisons. After his 2003 call up to the leagues, Peralta began to draw widespread attention for his hitting with the Aeros. In 2004, he batted.326 with 15 home runs and 86 runs batted in and he also scored 109 runs and stroked 44 doubles, the most ever in the Bisons modern era, followed by 39 for Kevin Pillar in 2014. This offensive leap helped him win the International League Most Valuable Player Award that year and he also received the Lou Boudreau Award as the Indians 2004 Minor League Player of the Year. Peralta made his Major League debut with Cleveland on June 12,2003 and he finished with a.227 batting average with four HR and 21 RBIs. Peralta became Clevelands full-time starting shortstop early in 2005 and batted.292, on July 3, he became affixed in the Indians third slot in the batting order. Cleveland then won 23 of their next 33 games to put them one game behind the New York Yankees and he joined Woodie Held as the only shortstops in Indians history to hit at least 20 HR. His 24 HR and 78 RBI set records for an Indians shortstop, on March 10,2006, Peralta agreed to a five-year contract with an option for a sixth year to stay with the Indians until the 2011 season
28.
Scott Radinsky
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Scott David Radinsky is a left-handed former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball, who had an 11-year career from 1990–1993 and 1995–2001. Radinsky finished his career with a 42–25 record, a 3.44 ERA, Radinsky also only gave up 33 home runs throughout his career, an average of 1 every 14.5 innings. He is arguably one of the most accomplished Jewish pitchers in major league history, he ranks second in games pitched, fourth in ERA. He is currently the coach for the Los Angeles Angels. Radinsky was originally drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the round in 1986 out of Simi Valley High School in Simi Valley. Radinsky pitched in the minor leagues from 1986–1989, and parts of later years, in 1989, he had 31 saves, a 1.75 ERA, and averaged 5.7 hits allowed and 12.1 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched. He made his league debut for the White Sox on April 9,1990. He picked up the win with 1 1/3 innings of relief the following day, from that point through 1993, he was a fixture in a White Sox bullpen that also included hardthrowing Bobby Thigpen and Roberto Hernández. In 1990, he posted a record of 6–1 with four saves in his rookie season, in 1991, Radinsky enjoyed his finest year with the White Sox, going 5–5 with a 2.02 ERA. He was tenth in the league with 67 appearances and he held batters to a.116 batting average with runners in scoring position. In 1992, he was seventh in the AL, pitching in 68 games, and had a 2.73 ERA, in 1993, he was second in the league, pitching in 73 games, and won a career-high eight games while saving four. During the 1993–1994 off-season, he was diagnosed with Hodgkins Disease, the treatment for the disease forced Radinsky to miss the entire 1994 baseball season. Oh, it sucks to have a doctor tell you that you have cancer, thank God I didn’t have Internet back then, so I couldn’t get all wrapped up in it. I didn’t have access to see how bad it could be and they told me I had to go through six months of this and five weeks of that, and that’s all I really looked at, the end. In his 1995 return to the White Sox, his ERA ballooned to 5.45 and his release from the Sox paved the way for his return home to Southern California to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers, with whom he signed as a free agent in January 1996. He enjoyed three excellent years in Los Angeles, with his ERA never exceeding 2.89, out of the bullpen, he worked as a set-up pitcher for Todd Worrell and Jeff Shaw, the Dodgers closers. Radinskys home-town status, excellent on-the-field performance, blue collar attitude, in 1997, he pitched in a career-high 75 games, 7th in the NL, with a 2.89 ERA. However, after the 1998 season, the Dodgers and Radinsky decided to cut ties and he went on to play for the St. Louis Cardinals, with whom he signed as a free agent in November 1998
29.
CC Sabathia
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Carsten Charles CC Sabathia, Jr. is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees. Upon signing with the Yankees prior to the 2009 season, Sabathia became the pitcher in MLB history. Sabathia played the first seven and a half seasons of his career with the Cleveland Indians and he played the second half of the 2008 MLB season with the Milwaukee Brewers, leading them to the Wild Card, their first playoff appearance in 26 years. In the offseason, Sabathia left via free agency and signed with the New York Yankees, Sabathia is regarded as one of the most durable pitchers in MLB, having amassed an average of over 200 innings pitched per season during his career. Sabathia was born in Vallejo, California and attended Vallejo High School, where he excelled in baseball, basketball, as a teenager, Sabathia played summer baseball in the Major League Baseball youth program, Reviving Baseball in Inner cities. In baseball, he compiled a record of 6–0 with an 0.77 earned run average with 14 hits. Coming out of the draft he was the top high school prospect in Northern California according to Baseball America, in football, he was an all-conference tight end. He received scholarship offers to play football, including one from UCLA. Sabathia was drafted in the first round by the Indians in the 1998 MLB draft and he signed for a $1.3 million bonus. In 2000, he was selected for the 28-man United States Olympic Team roster and he appeared in one pre-Olympic tournament game in Sydney, Australia, but was not on the official 24-man, Gold Medal-winning roster because he was called up by the Cleveland Indians. He was named the Indians 2000 Minor League Player of the Year, in 2001, he was the youngest player in the Major Leagues. Sabathia led the league in hits per 9 innings pitched, was third in the league in percentage, fourth in strikeouts per 9 innings pitched, sixth in wins. He finished second in the AL voting for Rookie of the Year, Sabathia signed a four-year, $9.5 million contract with the Indians, with a club option for 2006, on February 23,2002. In the 2002 season, he was tenth in the AL in strikeouts, in 2003, he had the tenth-best ERA in the AL. He was also named to the American League All-Star team for the first time, Sabathia made his second All-Star selection in a row as he finished the 2004 season by going 11–10 with a 4.12 ERA and 139 strikeouts. The Indians picked up their $7 million club option for 2006 on April 27,2005 and Sabathia signed a two-year, in 2005, he was fourth in the AL in strikeouts/9 IP, seventh in strikeouts and eighth in wins. This marked his fifth season of double digit wins to open a career. He threw the fastest fastball in the AL in 2005, averaging 94.7 miles per hour and he also hit his first career home run as a batter in interleague play off of Ryan Dempster in May
30.
Danny Salazar
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Danny Salazar is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball. Salazar signed with the Indians as a free agent in 2006. He spent two years playing rookie-level ball for the Indians, then spent 2009 through 2011 with the Lake County Captains, the Indians purchased his contract on November 18,2011 to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. Salazar was recalled from the Triple-A Columbus Clippers on July 11,2013 and he was optioned back to Columbus on July 12. Danny Salazar was called up to make a start on August 7,2013. Salazar made his first career start for the Indians against the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2013 American League Wild Card Game. In 2014, Salazar split the season between the Indians and Clippers, pitching in 20 games for the major club and finishing with a 6-8 record. Salazar was named to the American League All-Star Team in 2016 and he is married to Iris Salazar, they have two daughters, Dayry and Iara. They live in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Danny has earned the nickname the Shark during his time in Cleveland. Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference Danny Salazar on Twitter
31.
Marco Scutaro
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Marcos Scutaro, better known as Marco Scutaro, is a Venezuelan former professional baseball infielder. Scutaro made his MLB debut with the New York Mets in 2002, since then, he has also played for the Oakland Athletics, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, Colorado Rockies and San Francisco Giants. Scutaro was named the most valuable player of the 2012 National League Championship Series while with the Giants, Scutaro was one of the primary subjects of the 2005 documentary A Player to be Named Later. Scutaro was born in San Felipe, Yaracuy, Venezuela and he began playing baseball at age six. Scutaro originally signed with the Cleveland Indians as a free agent on July 26,1994. As a teenager, Scutaro considered fellow Venezuelan Omar Vizquel his favorite player, Scutaro was in the 2005 documentary film A Player To Be Named Later which followed various players from Indianapolis Indians, the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, for one season. He was waived at the start of the 2002 season by the Brewers who needed to make room for Nelson Figueroa on its roster, Scutaro was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets on April 5,2002. He batted.336 with 20 doubles,7 home runs,25 runs batted in and 39 runs scored in 79 games with the Tides and he was also selected to the International League squad for the Triple-A All-Star Game that summer. Scutaros first promotion to the majors came on July 19 when the Mets recalled him from the Norfolk Tides to replace the injured Joe McEwing. Scutaro introduced himself to Mets manager Bobby Valentine that afternoon while the latter was eating lunch at the hotel in Cincinnati where the team was staying, Valentine reciprocated the greeting without knowing who Scutaro was. After completing his meal, Valentine inquired about why Scutaro was lingering, I just got called up, Scutaro responded. Scutaro was again selected off waivers, this time by the Oakland Athletics, Scutaro landed a starting second baseman position after Mark Ellis had a season-ending shoulder injury during 2004 spring training. In 2004, Scutaro reached career highs in batting average, runs batted in, runs, hits, doubles, at bats and he played multiple positions, including second base, shortstop, third base, and left field. Because of his Italian heritage, Scutaro was given the option of playing for either Italy or Venezuela in the 2006 World Baseball Classic and he chose to play for Venezuela as a utility infielder. He again represented Venezuela in the 2009 World Baseball Classic and 2013 World Baseball Classic, Venezuela won the bronze medal in 2009, but in 2013 earned an early exit after a loss to Puerto Rico 6–3. However, Venezuela won against newcomers Spain to earn a qualification for the 2017 World Baseball Classic. On November 18,2007, Scutaro was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for minor league pitchers Kristian Bell, shortly after Ecksteins return, Eckstein and Blue Jays teammate Aaron Hill collided trying to catch a fly ball. Hill suffered from symptoms, and Scutaro filled in at second base
32.
Kelly Stinnett
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Kelly Lee Stinnett is a retired Major League Baseball catcher. He played all or part of 14 seasons in the majors, Stinnett attended Lawton High School in Lawton, Oklahoma and was a letterman in football, and baseball. He was an All-State selection in baseball and in football and he led his team to the Oklahoma Class 5A State Championship. He played on championship team with 2 other professional athletes – James Trapp. Trapp went to the NFL and played for the Raiders and Shields played for the Kansas City Chiefs and he attended Seminole Junior College in Oklahoma, where in his freshman year he was All-Conference and All-Region after leading all junior college players with 30 home runs and 124 RBI. In his sophomore year, he was National Junior College Player of the Year and that year, he had a batting average of.399 and had 22 home runs and 97 RBI, leading his team to a Third-place finish in the Junior College World Series. After college, he spent one year with an independent team in Upstate New York named the Watertown Indians. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 1989 amateur draft as the 279th overall pick and he began his first season the following spring, on April 5,1994, with the Mets. Between 1994 and 2004, Stinnett played in the majors for the Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies and he made a return to the Diamondbacks on December 13,2004, when he was signed to a minor league contract. Stinnett made his return to the major leagues on May 28,2005, in late November 2005, Stinnett signed a one-year deal with the New York Yankees. Stinnett was designated for assignment by the Yankees on July 26,2006, on August 24,2006, Stinnett signed a minor league contract with the Mets. He made his return to Shea Stadium as a Met on September 9,2006 against the Los Angeles Dodgers and he finished September with a.083 batting average, and was not included on the 2006 New York Mets postseason roster. On February 17,2007, he signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, on June 3,2007, he was picked up by the St. Louis Cardinals for cash considerations. On June 28,2013, Stinnett was named manager of the Montezuma Federals, with the Freedom Pro Baseball League. On April 22,2015, Stinnett was named the coach of the Watertown Bucks in their inaugural season in the East Coast Baseball League. That league has folded, but four of the teams banded together to form a new league, the North Country Baseball League. Stinnett resigned July 5,2015 as manager of the Watertown Bucks, stinnetts wife is named Gina, and they have four sons named Austin, Alex, Aaron, and Ace. Stinnett has a club ball team in Arizona called The Kelly Stinnett Grinders. Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
33.
Omar Vizquel
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Omar Enrique Vizquel González, nicknamed Little O, is a Venezuelan former professional baseball shortstop. During his 23-year Major League Baseball career, Vizquel played for the Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, in Venezuela he played for Leones del Caracas. Since 2014, he has been the Detroit Tigers first-base, infield, Vizquel is considered one of baseballs all-time best fielding shortstops, winning nine consecutive Gold Gloves and two more in 2005 and 2006. He tied Cal Ripken, Jr. s American League record, since surpassed, currently, his.985 fielding percentage is tied with Troy Tulowitzki for the highest of all-time for a shortstop in Major League history. On May 25,2008, Vizquel became the leader in games played at shortstop. Vizquel is the leader in double plays made while playing shortstop. He has the most hits recorded by any player from Venezuela, on May 24,2010, Vizquel became the shortstop with the third most hits all time, behind second place Derek Jeter and Honus Wagner. Vizquel is the sacrifice hit leader of the live-ball era, at the time of his retirement, Vizquel was the oldest player in the Major Leagues, and the only active player with service time in the 1980s. He is one of only 29 players in history to play in Major League games in four decades. On May 7,2012, Vizquel became the oldest player to play at shortstop in the Major League history, surpassing Bobby Wallace, Vizquel started his career with the Leones del Caracas of the Venezuelan Winter League together with Tony Armas, Bo Díaz and Andrés Galarraga. Originally signed by the Mariners as a free agent in 1984. At the end of the 1993 season, Vizquel was traded by the Mariners to the Indians for Félix Fermín, Reggie Jefferson, and cash. During Vizquels career in Cleveland, the Indians made it to the World Series twice, losing to the Atlanta Braves in 1995, Vizquel is a lifetime.250 hitter in 57 postseason games. Vizquel won nine consecutive Gold Gloves with the Mariners and Indians, starting with his first in 1993 with Seattle, alex Rodriguez broke Vizquels streak and won the award in 2002. Vizquel won two additional Gold Gloves in 2005 and 2006 with the San Francisco Giants, Vizquel hit second in the line-up between lead-off man Kenny Lofton and third-place hitter Alomar in the most productive offensive line-up in Cleveland baseball history. This line-up also included power hitters Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez, on August 5,2001, Vizquel hit a three-run triple in the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners to tie the game 14–14, capping a comeback from a 14–2 deficit. The Indians went on to win 15–14 in eleven innings, tying the record for the largest comeback win in history, Vizquel reached career highs in 2002 hitting 14 homers and 72 RBI, but his success was interrupted by the need for surgery on his right knee. He tied the 2002 All-Star Game 7–7 with an RBI triple in the eighth inning, as a result of his knee injury in 2002 and a follow-up operation, he appeared in only 64 games in 2003
