Little League Legends Who Became Big League Stars
/granite-web-prod/9c/df/9cdf85f0926a4b6ca7f6f0dff0cc465f.jpeg)
Cody Bellinger, then and now.Many Major League Baseball players get their start on a Little League diamond, but less than 1 percent of Little Leaguers make the Show.
Even fewer big leaguers make their debut on the big stage during the Little League Baseball World Series. Since the first Little League World Series was held in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in 1947, only 58 Little League Baseball World Series participants have gone on to play Major League Baseball.
These are the chosen few. They include current and former MLB players, including some of today's biggest stars. We have ranked them all from least to most impressive major league career.
58. Chin-Feng Chen
/granite-web-prod/9d/32/9d321526405848a7b6c7a88966978e23.jpeg)
Little League Baseball World Series: 1990
Team: San-Hua Little League
City: Tainan County, Chinese Taipei
Finish: Beat Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, 9-0 in final to win championship
Bottom Line: Chin-Feng Chen
/granite-web-prod/74/e9/74e96f8d65a640d997354c2f830273f2.jpeg)
MLB: 2002-05
Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Position: Left field
Stats: 19 G, 25 PA, 2 H, 2 RBI, .091 BA
World Series appearances: None
Baseball is a simple game — you throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the ball. But even Ted Williams, the greatest hitter who ever lived, admitted that hitting a round ball with a round ball square is the hardest thing to do in the game.
Chin-Feng Chen did it well enough to collect two career hits. And his journey began by winning the Little League World Series with Chinese Taipei, which now has won 17 LLBWS titles, the most of any country.
How about that?
(Note: All MLB stats current through 2022)
57. Brady Rodgers
/granite-web-prod/8b/a4/8ba49b6014ce44699e69945b8330a755.jpeg)
LLBWS: 2003
Team: Lamar Little League
City: Richmond, Texas
Finish: Lost 14-13 to Saugus, Massachusetts, in quarterfinals
Bottom Line: Brady Rogers
/granite-web-prod/22/db/22dbd608788e45408bb4f4410ed0a068.jpeg)
MLB: 2016, 2019 (2 seasons)
Teams: Houston Astros
Position: Pitcher (right-handed)
Stats: 8 G, 1 GS, 0-1, 15.53 ERA, 22 H, 23 R, 13.1 IP, 7 SO
World Series appearances: None
Brady Rodgers grew up in Texas and went to Arizona State.
When the Astros drafted him in 2012, he was overjoyed. When they released him in 2019, he had to regroup.
Now, he’s fighting for major league survival.
56. Vance Lovelace
/granite-web-prod/ce/19/ce19971e9b6840e08ff505755ffa4a69.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1975
Team: Belmont Heights Little League
City: Tampa, Florida
Finish: Lost 4-3 to Lakewood, New Jersey, in final
Bottom Line: Vance Lovelace
/granite-web-prod/89/bf/89bfb1e2c26f4642833deb22ed182853.jpeg)
MLB: 1988-90 (3 seasons)
Teams: California Angels, Seattle Mariners
Position: Pitcher (left-handed)
Stats: 9 G, 0-0, 4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 5.79 ERA, 2 SO, 10 BB
World Series appearances: None
Vance Lovelace went to Hillsborough High School, the same Tampa school as Dwight Gooden and Gary Sheffield. Like Gooden, Lovelace was a power pitcher and first-round pick, but that’s where the similarities end.
Lovelace was a left-hander who couldn’t find the strike zone, though he persevered as much as he could. After his playing days, he found success as an executive with the Los Angeles Dodgers, rising to director of pro scouting.
"I'm not playing anymore, but I'm valued for my mind," Lovelace told MLB.com in 2011. "I manage people. I was thinking that 40 or 50 years ago, that never would have happened to someone like me. My mother was a Brooklyn Dodgers fan. It's pretty neat being in her favorite organization, where Branch Rickey first embraced Jackie, the organization that took the first chance with a Black player and has taken a chance with me."
55. Jeff Frazier
/granite-web-prod/62/4e/624e1beb565f47edb0ffcd1807960e66.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1995
Team: Toms River American Little League
City: Toms River, New Jersey
Finish: Eliminated in pool play
Bottom Line: Jeff Frazier
/granite-web-prod/f3/89/f389d63c47b4462ca2f6cd63e57868d5.jpeg)
MLB: 2010 (1 season)
Teams: Detroit Tigers
Position: Left field, designated hitter
Stats: 9 G, 24 PA, 5 H, 1 RBI, .217 BA
World Series appearances: None
Over 19,000 players have played in the major leagues. Jeff Frazier is one of them. And no one can ever take that away from him.
54. Erik A. Johnson
/granite-web-prod/e6/5c/e65ccb589cbd49bb87b343f7d1161744.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1978
Team: San Ramon Valley Little League
City: Danville, California
Finish: Lost 11-1 to Pintung, Taiwan, in final
Bottom Line: Erik A. Johnson
/granite-web-prod/8b/c5/8bc5fb5cbacd40b0af7a4b2959da1d0a.jpeg)
MLB: 1993-94
Teams: San Francisco Giants
Position: Second base, shortstop
Stats: 9 G, 18 PA, 4 H, .222 BA
World Series appearances: None
Erik Johnson didn’t have a long stay in the majors, but he enjoyed the ride. The former San Francisco Giant now has a lot of interesting stories to tell and lessons to share.
"For me, I was able to enjoy the journey, and that’s why I don’t look back with regret," he told This Great Game. "I saw guys that became better people through baseball, but I also saw the flip side of that. From a very early age, you’re told by everyone how great and gifted you are, and after a while, you believe it. The big question is — how will you respond when you get beat or cost your team a victory?
"There were a lot of guys who would dwell on their failures, and it would eventually take them down. So many top players never get out of the minor leagues, and that’s why I’m proud of the fact that I played at the highest level, even if for a short time.
"I played baseball for fun and I never allowed it to become a job, so I look back at my entire baseball career fondly, because it wasn’t just baseball for me — it was life!"
53. Stephen Fife
/granite-web-prod/8f/28/8f28e5af21ea41a3ad65789cc3238cc2.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1999
Team: South Central Boise Little League
City: Boise, Idaho
Finish: Eliminated in pool play
Bottom Line: Stephen Fife
/granite-web-prod/2e/e5/2ee5c9217b8749bcbd1cebc03a7e467b.jpeg)
MLB: 2012-14 (3 seasons)
Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers
Position: Pitcher (right-handed)
Stats: 18 G, 16 GS, 4-6, 3.66 ERA, 91.0 IP, 101 H, 37 ER, 70 SO
World Series appearances: None
When you love the game, it’s hard to walk away.
Stephen Fife was a third-round pick of the Boston Red Sox in the 2008 draft out of the University of Utah. After being traded to the Dodgers, he made a few appearances for the Blue Crew, then bounced around the minors with various teams (Cubs, Marlins, Indians) and spent some time in Japan with the Saitama Seibu Lions.
The 34-year-old groundball pitcher hopes to get another shot before he has to call it a career.
52. Jim Barbieri
/granite-web-prod/56/3b/563b26c262f54d85906b8e8d4c84ec95.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1953, 1954
Team: National Little League
City: Schenectady, New York
Finish: Lost 1-0 to Birmingham, Alabama, in 1953 final. Beat Colton, California, 7-5 in 1954 final.
Bottom Line: Jim Barbieri
/granite-web-prod/63/ec/63eca8748b414559b991e06890d70c46.jpeg)
MLB: 1966
Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers
Position: Outfield
Stats: 39 G, 92 PA, 23 H, .280 BA, 3 RBI
World Series appearance: 1 (1966)
World Series titles: None
A cup of coffee in the majors is better than no Joe at all.
Jim Barbieri even got something the game's greats aren't promised — an at-bat in the World Series. He struck out against Orioles right-hander Moe Drabowsky in Game 1 of the 1966 Fall Classic, and the Dodgers were swept. But what a memory.
Barbieri returned to the minors for three years and then played the last season of his career in Japan with the Chunichi Dragons in 1970.
Fun fact: Barbieri was the first player who played in the Little League World Series and the major league World Series.
51. Keith Lampard
/granite-web-prod/92/0a/920ad8f4cbe44da78d721c53e56dcbe8.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1958
Team: Rose City Little League
City: Portland, Oregon
Finish: Lost 2-1 to Kankakee, Illinois, in quarterfinals
MLB: 1969-70 (2 seasons)
Bottom Line: Keith Lampard
/granite-web-prod/2c/82/2c82dd8db12f4addaf79201eb11852d3.jpeg)
MLB: 1969-70 (2 seasons)
Teams: Houston Astros
Position: Left field
Stats: 62 G, 92 PA, 20 H, 1 HR, 7 RBI, .238 BA
World Series appearances: None
The Astros were not banging trash cans during Keith Lampard’s playing days. And his career numbers won’t ever be confused with Jose Altuve’s slash lines.
But Lampard's name is asterisk-free, and his legacy won't be stained for history. He also is the last British-born major leaguer to hit a home run.
Call it a success story.
50. Gavin Cecchini
/granite-web-prod/74/19/7419621d8efc4967b1f4fa5c970e2a45.jpeg)
LLBWS: 2006
Team: South Lake Charles Little League
City: Lake Charles, Louisiana
Finish: Lost 5-0 to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in pool play
Bottom Line: Gavin Cecchini
/granite-web-prod/19/38/1938b77e015345eb8a8bd24dda38dc6e.jpeg)
MLB: 2016-17 (2 seasons)
Teams: New York Mets
Position: Second baseman, shortstop
Stats: 36 G, 89 PA, 18 H, 1 HR, 9 RBI, .217 BA
World Series appearances: None
It’s not easy to get to the Show. It's not easy to stay there, either.
Gavin Cecchini was a first-round pick of the Mets out of Louisiana's Barbe High School in 2012 and turned down scholarship offers from LSU and Ole Miss to go pro.
He made his major league debut at 22, struggled to produce, and became a free agent after the 2019 season. Now, he’s keeping his dream alive in the Angels system.
Fun fact: Gavin Cecchini hit his first major league home run off Los Angeles Dodgers Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw.
49. George Tsamis
/granite-web-prod/ae/03/ae0339a98e0c4e7e84c3da11090362cb.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1979
Team: Campbell Little League
City: Campbell, California
Finish: Lost 2-1 to Taipei City, Taiwan, in final
Bottom Line: George Tsamis
/granite-web-prod/32/b8/32b8456cd98443e9b7654a3315b7ee29.jpeg)
MLB: 1993 (1 season)
Teams: Minnesota Twins
Position: Pitcher (left-handed)
Stats: 41 G, 1-2, 68.1 IP, 6.19 ERA, 30 SO
World Series appearances: None
It was one and done for George Tsamis, who made his big league debut in 1993 but never pitched in the majors again.
Crossing the picket line in 1995 during spring training while MLB players were on strike meant he was barred from being a member of the Major League Player Baseball Player Association.
Tsamis has done alright. From 2003 to 2020, he was manager of the St. Paul Saints, an independent baseball club in Minnesota and one of the most unique entertainment experiences in sports. In 2021, he became manager of the Kane County Cougars in the American Association.
48. Cory Rasmus
/granite-web-prod/7f/83/7f83e10f1f5f40e5a91fb0dd477816c2.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1999
Team: Phenix City National
City: Phenix City, Alabama
Finish: Lost 5-0 to Hirakata, Japan, in final
Bottom Line: Cory Rasmus
/granite-web-prod/be/52/be52d8af79204d5c96a5b258206d839b.jpeg)
MLB: 2013-16
Teams: Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels
Position: Pitcher (right-handed)
Stats: 84 G, 8 GS, 4-5, 4.17 ERA, 123.0 IP, 106 H, 57 ER, 121 SO
World Series appearances: None
Cory Rasmus comes from a family of ballplayers.
His older brother Colby had the longest big league career. Their father, Tony, played minor league ball with the Angels, and the youngest brother Casey was a catcher in the Cardinals organization.
It must be fun during the holidays.
47. Ben Hayes
/granite-web-prod/a4/38/a4386377c5f74f64800846882f0a5946.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1970
Team: Weisbaden Little League
City: Wiesbaden, Germany
Finish: Lost 2-0 to Highland, Indiana, in quarterfinals
MLB: 1982-83 (2 seasons)
Bottom Line: Ben Hayes
/granite-web-prod/3c/55/3c555a5ec1c14c85b8146f94759f3921.jpeg)
Teams: Cincinnati Reds
Position: Pitcher (right-handed)
Stats: 86 G, 6-6, 4.70 ERA, 115.0 IP, 119 H, 60 ER, 82 SO, 9 SV
World Series appearances: None
Ben Hayes had a brief, respectable major league career. But more impressive might be his post-career work.
After his playing days, he got a law degree and is a practicing attorney in Florida, with a focus on sports and entertainment law.
He’s also president of the New York-Penn League.
46. Max Moroff
/granite-web-prod/e7/82/e782442c8a6e49a6aa6ef6ffae02560c.jpeg)
LLBWS: 2005
Team: Maitland Little League
City: Maitland, Florida
Finish: Lost 6-2 to Vista, California, in quarterfinals
Bottom Line: Max Moroff
/granite-web-prod/b0/45/b045d30f97724ddb98badf3209213466.jpeg)
MLB: 2016-19, 2021-present (5 seasons)
Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Cardinals
Position: Second base, third base, shortstop
Stats: 110 G, 260 PA, 40 H, 7 HR, 35 RBI, .175 BA
World Series appearances: None
Max Moroff isn’t a household name outside Orange County, Florida, where he grew up. And because he hits below the Mendoza Line, he might never become one.
But his greatest strength is defense and versatility. As long as he can keep making plays at second base, third base or shortstop, he will find a place on a 25-man roster.
Every team needs surehanded fielders.
45. Andrew Stevenson
/granite-web-prod/f9/b2/f9b2ed4a791943029002c7bbf2da6046.jpeg)
LLBWS: 2005
Team: Lafayette Little League
City: Lafayette, Louisiana
Finish: Lost 2-0 to 'Ewa Beach, Hawaii, in quarterfinals
Bottom Line: Andrew Stevenson
/granite-web-prod/8b/ab/8bab80e6b3e74754a18bfe5e64fbb55e.jpeg)
MLB: 2017-present (5 seasons)
Teams: Washington Nationals
Position: Outfield
Stats: 224 G, 409 PA, 90 H, 7 HR, 44 RBI, .250 BA
World Series appearances: None
World Series titles: 1 (2019)
Andrew Stevenson didn’t play in any of the 2019 World Series games with the Nationals, but he played in 30 regular-season games, so he gets a ring.
The speedy outfielder did appear in the College World Series with LSU and is one of 15 former LSU players who is a major league World Series champion.
Can you say nice start to a career?
44. Guillermo Quiroz
/granite-web-prod/b1/b2/b1b25b82224147c28ddce66b71db00ee.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1994
Team: Coquivacoa Little League
City: Maracaibo, Venezuela
Finish: Beat Northridge, California, 4-3 in final to win championship
Bottom Line: Guillermo Quiroz
/granite-web-prod/e3/be/e3bef70c930941eeab2108dd751c4d29.jpeg)
MLB: 2004-10, 2012-14 (10 seasons)
Teams: Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants
Position: Catcher
Stats: 148 G, 380 PA, 69 H, 3 HR, 34 RBI, .199 BA
World Series appearances: None
Have glove, will travel. Especially with the tools of ignorance.
Guillermo Quiroz is proof that a light-hitting catcher can find a major league roster spot.
Quiroz was a .199 lifetime hitter and had a 10-year career in the bigs.
43. Christian Bethancourt
/granite-web-prod/44/f7/44f7169a73a943859ccb7cd6ba2f0ac2.jpeg)
LLBWS: 2004
Team: Curundu Little League
City: Panama City, Panama
Finish: Lost 6-2 to Guadalupe, Mexico, in quarterfinals
Bottom Line: Christian Bethancourt
/granite-web-prod/27/09/270982a69d834b9eb819ed58eca45c71.jpeg)
MLB: 2013-17 (5 seasons)
Teams: Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres
Position: Catcher, outfielder, pitcher
Stats: 161 G, 489 PA, 104 H, 8 HR, 46 RBI, .222 BA; 6 G as pitcher, 5.1 IP, 10.13 ERA
World Series appearances: None
You don't need to be good at everything to have a major league career. You need to be great at one thing.
Christian Bethancourt could hit, pitch, play catcher and outfielder. But he couldn’t do any of those things well enough to have a sustained career in the Show.
42. Billy Connors
/granite-web-prod/23/60/23601944a05d467dbcc9edd179f33803.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1954
Team: National Little League
City: Schenectady, New York
Finish: Beat Colton, California, 7-5 in final to win championship
Bottom Line: Billy Connors
/granite-web-prod/f4/87/f4874f8439534e1f856f780c7ad1c3e0.jpeg)
MLB: 1966-68 (3 seasons)
Teams: Chicago Cubs, New York Mets
Position: Pitcher (right-handed)
Stats: 26 G, 0-2, 7.53 ERA, 43.0 IP, 49 H, 36 ER, 24 SO
World Series appearances: None
Billy Connors didn’t have a large body of work pitching on big league mounds.
He made his biggest impact on the game as a major league pitching coach.
Over 17 seasons (from 1980-2000), he worked with pitching staffs for the Royals, Cubs, Mariners and Yankees.
41. Jeff Clement
/granite-web-prod/15/4e/154e258bb0204cde8a024ef9a586a65b.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1996
Team: Marshalltown National Little League
City: Marshalltown, Iowa
Finish: Lost 6-3 to Panama City, Florida, in quarterfinals
Bottom Line: Jeff Clement
/granite-web-prod/d4/4c/d44ccf85e5b44109a5c23dbf7612e714.jpeg)
MLB: 2007-08, 2010, 2012 (4 seasons)
Teams: Seattle Mariners, Pittsburgh Pirates
Position: Catcher, first base
Stats: 152 G, 421 PA, 84 H, 14 HR, 49 RBI, .218 BA
World Series appearances: None
Jeff Clement hit a national-record 75 home runs in high school (breaking Drew Henson’s old mark of 70) at Marshalltown in Iowa.
Clement then was an all-everything catcher at USC.
But the breaks didn’t go his way in the Show, and he retired at age 30.
40. Bobby Mitchell
/granite-web-prod/2c/2d/2c2dd48fbf88458db8f55f9b929f020d.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1967
Team: Northridge City Little League
City: Northridge, California
Finish: Lost 1-0 to Linares, Mexico, in quarterfinals
Bottom Line: Bobby Mitchell
/granite-web-prod/d3/e0/d3e050162086457797cdcde1d1f371c4.jpeg)
MLB: 1980-83 (4 seasons)
Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins
Position: Center field
Stats: 202 G, 707 PA, 150 H, 3 HR, 43 RBI, .243 BA
World Series appearances: None
Who says you can’t come home again?
After starring at Chatsworth High School and USC in Southern California, Bobby Mitchell was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the seventh round of the 1977 draft and started his career as a local legend.
Baseball, however, can be a humbling game. And this story did not have a Hollywood ending.
39. Marc Pisciotta
/granite-web-prod/87/40/8740c57bc6e24553a5842ff9ee88d301.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1983
Team: East Marietta National
City: Marietta, Georgia
Finish: Beat Barahona, Dominican Republic, 3-1 in final to win championship
Bottom Line: Marc Pisciotta
/granite-web-prod/01/8c/018c9e24488142fab8aca390879e5e73.jpeg)
MLB: 1997-99 (3 seasons)
Teams: Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals
Position: Pitcher (right-handed)
Stats: 75 G, 4-5, 4.24 ERA, 80.2 IP, 73 H, 38 ER, 55 SO
World Series appearances: None
Most baseball players don’t make the Hall of Fame — 235 former major leaguers are in Cooperstown.
Most MLB careers are not long —the average career length is 5.6 years.
And most players in baseball history are not multimillionaires — the minimum salary today is $563,500 and only jumped to $100,000 in 1990 (though the average MLB salary today is over $4 million).
The majority of MLB players are like Marc Pisciotta. They play a few years and make a couple of hundred thousand dollars, if they’re lucky.
38. Kevin Cash
/granite-web-prod/73/9a/739afce0871e455e8d3679b04c2623f5.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1989
Team: Northside Little League
City: Tampa, Florida
Finish: Lost 12-5 to San Pedro, California, in quarterfinals
Bottom Line: Kevin Cash
/granite-web-prod/b2/26/b2267e93905943d6aced7ccd35a2b5bf.jpeg)
MLB: 2002-05, 2007-10 (8 seasons)
Teams: Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Houston Astros
Position: Catcher
Stats: 246 G, 714 PA, 117 H, 12 HR, 58 RBI, .183 BA
World Series appearances: None
Playing catcher is the fastest path to the majors. Yes, it's the toughest position in baseball, but pain is only temporary.
Kevin Cash spent eight seasons in the majors as a backup catcher and made over $1 million in salary.
That’s a pretty good payoff.
37. Clete Thomas
/granite-web-prod/da/22/da22d713a7bc4b66b0e25adbc2b76ad8.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1996
Team: R. L. Turner Little League
City: Panama City, Florida
Finish: Lost 6-3 to Cranston, Rhode Island, in semifinals
Bottom Line: Clete Thomas
/granite-web-prod/98/4e/984ef5a7a80d442e8b8dacc02888c249.jpeg)
MLB: 2008-09, 2012-13 (4 seasons)
Teams: Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins
Position: Outfield
Stats: 249 G, 794 PA, 165 H, 13 HR, 65 RBI, .233 BA, .664 OPS
World Series appearances: None
Remember Clete Thomas’ career? You're not alone.
But just because he didn't get a lot of airtime on ESPN doesn’t mean he didn’t have a few highlights.
36. Jim Pankovits
/granite-web-prod/c1/45/c145a8a839064e3d81a5acdd6a32a21f.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1968
Team: Tuckahoe Little League
City: Richmond, Virginia
Finish: Lost 1-0 to Osaka, Japan, in final
Bottom Line: Jim Pankovits
/granite-web-prod/77/f0/77f045a40a834c6f8e6959b69e7f1452.jpeg)
MLB: 1984-88, 1990 (6 seasons)
Teams: Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox
Position: Second base, outfield
Stats: 318 G, 620 PA, 142 H, 9 HR, 55 RBI, .250 BA
World Series appearances: None
Baseball is a numbers game, and sometimes the numbers don’t work in your favor.
Jim Pankovits picked up minor league managing once he realized a long-term playing career wasn't in the cards.
35. Adam Loewen
/granite-web-prod/ec/22/ec223d68a4cd4cb08bfd5f1c0d666be4.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1996
Team: Kennedy-Surrey Little League
City: Surrey, British Columbia, Canadia
Finish: Eliminated in pool play
Bottom Line: Adam Loewen
/granite-web-prod/fc/91/fc9168a2b00d4c2b98cfc2c2ea21f1e9.jpeg)
MLB: 2006-08, 2015-16 (5 seasons)
Teams: Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks
Position: Pitcher (left-handed), outfield
Stats: 63 G, 29 GS, 10-8, 5.85 ERA, 190 H, 181.1 IP, 130 R, 159 SO; 40 G as hitter, 42 PA, 7 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .189 BA
World Series appearances: None
Would it be wrong to call Adam Loewen a bust?
The fourth pick of the 2002 draft by Baltimore won 10 games in his career and made over $5.2 million. Eight of those wins and $4.2 million of that salary from the Orioles. That’s $525,000 a win.
The bigger bust is the O’s, who could have taken Zack Greinke, Scott Kazmir, Cole Hamels or Matt Cain with their first-round pick that year. But then they wouldn’t be the Birds.
34. Carl Taylor
/granite-web-prod/16/ba/16ba811ff54a4371ad7f7ea9dd879560.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1954
Team: Orange Little League
City: Lakeland, Florida
Finish: Lost 16-0 to Schenectady, New York, in quarterfinals
Bottom Line: Carl Taylor
/granite-web-prod/7c/34/7c34713b17014f218b0cdeb2699742ed.jpeg)
MLB: 1968-73 (5 seasons)
Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Royals
Position: Catcher, right field
Stats: 411 G, 1007 PA, 225 H, 113 R, 10 HR, 115 RBI, .266 BA, .720
World Series appearances: None
Carl Taylor made the most of his opportunities.
He started 204 games in his career and produced 228 runs for his teams.
33. Jace Fry
/granite-web-prod/03/d3/03d3df3a056a483e8ed6bb7dd0ecacc6.jpeg)
LLBWS: 2006
Team: Murrayhill Little League
City: Beaverton, Oregon
Finish: Lost 7-3 to Columbus, Georgia, in semifinals
Bottom Line: Jace Fry
/granite-web-prod/df/55/df55f04e6ff441f9bf9c98fbe3d05eb6.jpeg)
MLB: 2017-present (5 seasons)
Teams: Chicago White Sox
Position: Pitcher (left-handed)
Stats: 158 G, 5-8, 4.88 ERA, 134.2 IP, 112 H, 73 ER, 167 SO
World Series appearances: None
Jace Fry has a bright future.
Reliable left-handers out of the bullpen are prized commodities.
And Fry is only 28.
32. Larvell Blanks
/granite-web-prod/62/2a/622add6f48c4467097923efa3b2dab12.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1962
Team: Val Verde County Little League
City: Del Rio, Texas
Finish: Lost 2-1 to Pitman, New Jersey, in quarterfinals
Bottom Line: Larvell Blanks
/granite-web-prod/4a/b5/4ab5fbe6481b48e7b495b88a5fbe3cfb.jpeg)
MLB: 1972-80 (9 seasons)
Teams: Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers
Position: Shortstop, second base, third base
Stats: 629 G, 1953 PA, 446 H, 20 HR, .253 BA, .637 OPS
World Series appearances: None
Did you know Larvell Blanks is the only player in major league history named Larvell?
He also was traded by the Indians (along with Jim Kern) to the Rangers for Len Barker and Bobby Bonds.
And Blanks started 219 games. Not bad for a major league journeyman.
31. Scott Kingery
/granite-web-prod/28/53/28532720adc14d57895b3024974078b0.jpeg)
LLBWS: 2006
Team: Ahwatukee American Little League
City: Phoenix, Arizona
Finish: Eliminated in pool play
Bottom Line: Scott Kingery
/granite-web-prod/f5/06/f5062e822d984245b9dab7cd2e1b8e88.jpeg)
MLB: 2018-present (4 seasons)
Teams: Philadelphia Phillies
Position: Shortstop, center field, third base
Stats: 324 G, 127 PA, 239 H, 30 HR, 96 RBI, .229 BA, 25 SB
World Series appearances: None
Versatility and speed. Speed and versatility.
It's a good combination to have. That’s why Scott Kingery's nickname is "Scotty Jetpack."
But after signing a six-year, $24 million deal in 2018, Kingery still has work to do to live up to his contract.
30. Devon Travis
/granite-web-prod/9e/14/9e147207320544d19ac2e3600d6e26a7.jpeg)
LLBWS: 2003
Team: East Boynton Beach Little League
City: Boynton Beach, Florida
Finish: Lost 10-1 to Tokyo, Japan, in final
Bottom Line: Devon Travis
/granite-web-prod/39/a6/39a6c2a3f7104b0586ccc439b09a85d4.jpeg)
MLB: 2015-18 (4 seasons)
Teams: Toronto Blue Jays
Position: Second base
Stats: 316 G, 1246 PA, 320 H, 35 HR, 153 RBI, .274 BA
World Series appearances: None
Defense on the diamond is important, but you can't win if you don't score.
Devon Travis started his career strong at the plate, but then he struggled to produce before getting hurt during spring training in 2019.
He retired from playing and went into coaching, becoming a coach for the GCL Braves, a rookie-level affiliate for the Atlanta Braves.
29. Lloyd McClendon
/granite-web-prod/3b/b1/3bb1e669752d4874ae3f63e4d97c74bd.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1971
Team: Anderson Little League
City: Gary, Indiana
Finish: Lost 12-3 (9 innings) to Tainan City, Taiwan, in final
Bottom Line: Lloyd McClendon
/granite-web-prod/8f/88/8f88e60acac649a58dc412729aeaddc7.jpeg)
MLB: 1987-94 (8 seasons)
Teams: Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates
Position: Outfield, first base
Stats: 570 G, 1375 PA, 294 H, 35 HR, 154 RBI, 150 R, .244 BA, .706 OPS
World Series appearances: None
Know how Lloyd McClendon became known as "Legendary Lloyd" and started making Gary, Indiana, proud?
He hit five home runs in five straight at-bats during the 1971 Little League World Series. Then, opposing teams wised up and intentionally walked him every at-bat.
The legend keeps growing for McClendon, who has played, managed and coached in the bigs.
28. Lastings Milledge
/granite-web-prod/49/e9/49e91f939d954d2ea75384b95893e206.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1997
Team: Manatee G.T. Brey East Little League
City: Bradenton, Florida
Finish: Lost 12-1 to Mission Viejo, California, in semifinals
Bottom Line: Lastings Milledge
/granite-web-prod/76/a9/76a9d39780b4464cbda5adc6ac9c54e3.jpeg)
MLB: 2006-11 (6 seasons)
Teams: New York Mets, Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox
Position: Outfield
Stats: 433 G, 1659 PA, 404 H, 33 HR, 166 R, 167 RBI, 40 SB, .269 BA, .723 OPS
World Series appearances: None
Once upon a time, Lastings Milledge was considered the next big thing.
That time came and went faster than a New York minute.
27. Ruben Tejada
/granite-web-prod/46/05/4605faabf77f4daf97d933e40681db04.jpeg)
LLBWS: 2001
Team: Activo 20-30 Little League
City: Santiago, Panama
Finish: Eliminated in pool play
Bottom Line: Ruben Tejada
/granite-web-prod/b4/ef/b4ef2ec6cb664889a6678236db7b9778.jpeg)
MLB: 2010-17, 2019 (9 seasons)
Teams: New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles
Position: Shortstop, second base, third base
Stats: 663 G, 2396 PA, 530 H, 10 HR, 158 RBI, 225 R, .250 BA, .641 OPS
World Series appearances: 1 (2015)
World Series titles: None
Ruben Tejada grew up in Panama with dreams of playing in the big leagues. His dreams came true in 2010 when he made his MLB debut at the age of 20 with the Mets.
Some untimely injuries slowed his progress and prevented him from establishing himself as an everyday big leaguer, but he’s still working to protect his dream and continue his career in the minor leagues in the Chicago White Sox organization.
26. Hector Torres
/granite-web-prod/ab/41/ab41f4c13ed948569e6c89fbdb2bfc68.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1958
Team: Industrial Little League
City: Monterrey, Mexico
Finish: Beat Kankakee, Illinois, 10-1 in final to win championship
Bottom Line: Hector Torres
/granite-web-prod/9e/39/9e39651e24ae42c79accebf3fb8c1b17.jpeg)
MLB: 1968-73, 1975-77 (9 seasons)
Teams: Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos, San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays
Position: Shortstop, second base, third base
Stats: 622 G, 1901 PA, 375 H, 18 HR, 115 RBI, 148 R, .216 BA, .542 OPS
World Series appearances: None
Hector Torres looked like a man among boys as a 12-year-old pitcher leading his Monterrey team to the Little League World Series title in 1958.
Torres wasn’t a pitcher in the majors nor did he dominate. But the man nicknamed "La Malita," or "The Little Bad One" (after his father, Epitacio "La Mala" Torres, a legendary Mexican right fielder), made an impact.
Torres was the first Mexican Little Leaguer to play in the majors, and the slick fielder had enough hitting to play nine seasons.
25. Michael Saunders
/granite-web-prod/e4/7d/e47d8d154c674e73a10ecb8f101666ff.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1999
Team: Gordon Head Little League
City: Victoria, British Columbia
Finish: Eliminated in pool play
Bottom Line: Michael Saunders
/granite-web-prod/6b/bc/6bbc424c9b814af0bd3328224b7c1270.jpeg)
MLB: 2009-17 (9 seasons)
Teams: Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, Kansas City Royals
Position: Outfield
Stats: 775 G, 2747 PA, 570 H, 81 HR, 263 RBI, 324 R, 55 SB, .232 BA, .701 OPS, All-Star
World Series appearances: None
Hockey isn't the only sport they play in Canada.
Michael Saunders started playing baseball as a youngster, and the game treated him well.
After a solid career, "Captain Canada" has moved on to be a minor league coach with the Atlanta Braves organization.
24. Jurickson Profar
/granite-web-prod/12/6b/126b42af51454058a5709ca8939406ab.jpeg)
LLBWS: 2004
Team: Pabao Little League
City: Willemstad, Curacao
Finish: Beat Thousand Oaks, California, 5-2 in final to win championship
Bottom Line: Jurickson Profar
/granite-web-prod/d7/0b/d70b6bb6378d4dc7b49c0d734347761a.jpeg)
MLB: 2012-13, 2016-present (8 seasons)
Teams: Texas Rangers, Oakland A’s, San Diego Padres
Position: Outfield, second base, shortstop, third base
Stats: 660 G, 2380 PA, 500 H, 62 HR, 251 RBI, 290 R, .239 BA, .712 OPS
World Series appearances: None
Players might play for the love of the game, but never forget that baseball is a business. So you can’t ever get too comfortable.
In 2019, one year after Jurickson Profar got traded from the Rangers to the A’s and became an everyday second baseman, Oakland traded him to the Padres, where he became a versatile outfielder/second baseman
As one of the hardest-working players in the game, Profar embraced his new home. San Diego is a little closer to his native Curacao, and he got rewarded with a new three-year, $21 million deal with the Padres in 2021. Not a bad gig if you can get it.
23. Sean Burroughs
/granite-web-prod/a2/66/a266e4be265d4cc4b3b3369b793f3756.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1992, 1993
Team: Long Beach Little League
City: Long Beach California
Finish: Beat Zamboanga City, Philippines, 6-0 (via forfeit for ineligible players) in 1992 final to win championship. Beat David, Panama, 3-2 in 1993 final to win championship.
Bottom Line: Sean Burroughs
/granite-web-prod/fb/d0/fbd0b63bb27846dba8761447be4f1d05.jpeg)
MLB: 2002-06, 2011-12 (7 seasons)
Teams: San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Arizona Diamondbacks, Minnesota Twins
Position: Third base
Stats: 528 G, 1823 PA, 463 H, 12 HR, 143 RBI, 187 R, .278 BA, .690 OPS
World Series appearances: None
Sean Burroughs became a national hero after pitching two no-hitters and hitting three home runs to lead Long Beach to consecutive Little League championships.
The son of former AL MVP Jeff Burroughs looked like a can't miss star. He took batting practice off Dave Letterman as a 12-year-old, was a first-round pick at 17, Olympic gold medalist at 20, major league rookie at 21, and was supposed to be the next Tony Gwynn.
But life can throw some nasty curves, and Sean Burroughs ending up living a real-life "Leaving Las Vegas" reality. He survived, but his baseball career never quite lived up to the promise.
22. Jonathan Schoop
/granite-web-prod/8c/7a/8c7af65567fc479e83e274c98a04ff7f.jpeg)
LLBWS: 2004
Team: Pabao Little League
City: Willemstad, Curacao
Finish: Beat Thousand Oaks 5-2 in final to win championship
Bottom Line: Jonathan Schoop
/granite-web-prod/04/cf/04cfbbe6d8af4648b48cb1f8bbbd3f06.jpeg)
MLB: 2013-present (9 seasons)
Teams: Baltimore Orioles, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers
Position: Second base and first base
Stats: 979 G, 3853 PA, 947 H, 160 HR, 488 RBI, 482 R, .262 BA, .750 OPS, All-Star
World Series appearances: None
The Orioles signed Jonathan Schoop to his first professional baseball contract in 2008, just four years after he played in the Little League World Series.
The team had high hopes for the kid from Curacao, and he made his big league debut at 21 and played in 635 games over six seasons, establishing himself as an everyday player and All-Star in 2017.
Now, he’s found a home the Tigers, his fourth team in three seasons. That’s baseball.
21. Yusmeiro Petit
/granite-web-prod/af/3d/af3d65cd5a0d42b7a3edf6ea4aacbb3c.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1994
Team: Coquivacoa Little League
City: Maracaibo, Venezuela
Finish: Beat Northridge, California, 4-3 in final to win championship
Bottom Line: Yusmeiro Petit
/granite-web-prod/93/ca/93cada9f026d4f4fac277676ea51c6c1.jpeg)
MLB: 2006-09, 2012-present (14 seasons)
Teams: Florida Marlins, Arizona Diamondbacks, San Francisco Giants, Washington Nationals, Anaheim Angels, Oakland Athletics
Position: Pitcher (right-handed)
Stats: 505 G, 59 GS, 50-42, 3.88 ERA, 895.0 IP, 822 H, 386 ER, 763 SO
World Series appearances: 1 (2014)
World Series titles: 1 (2014)
Yusmeiro Petit has gone from mediocre starting pitcher to workhorse reliever.
When you figure out your role, good things can happen.
The same is true in life.
20. Michael Conforto
/granite-web-prod/cd/19/cd199e0ed89145e78884b1c747753dcf.jpeg)
LLBWS: 2004
Team: Redmond North LL
City: Redmond, Washington
Finish: Lost 3-2 (5 innings) to Owensboro, Kentucky, in pool play
Bottom Line: Michael Conforto
/granite-web-prod/f8/7c/f87c0976def040659d98498a8f26294c.jpeg)
MLB: 2015-present (7 seasons)
Teams: New York Mets
Position: Outfield
Stats: 734 G, 2884 PA, 628 H, 129 HR, 384 RBI, 389 R, .254 BA, .826 OPS
World Series appearances: None
Baseball scouting is an inexact science, but when it works, everyone wins.
After being the Mets’ first-round pick in 2014 (10th overall), Michael Conforto established himself as an outfield starter in 2017.
The left-handed slugger has kept getting better ever since.
19. Jason Marquis
/granite-web-prod/42/b9/42b967a3330d43f78ffa5807d8db43a2.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1991
Team: South Shore American
City: Staten Island, New York
Finish: Lost 13-4 to Danville, California, in semifinals
Bottom Line: Jason Marquis
/granite-web-prod/50/fd/50fd6e83f4474650af3e26b897489682.jpeg)
MLB: 2000-13, 2015 (15 seasons)
Teams: Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds
Position: Pitcher (right-handed)
Stats: 377 G, 318 GS, 124-118, 4.61 ERA, 2079 H, 1008 ER, 1174 SO
World Series appearances: 1 (2004)
World Series titles: None
In European countries, a marquis is a nobleman who ranks above a count.
Jason Marquis lived up to his name on the diamond.
He was above average for many counts.
18. Randal Grichuk
/granite-web-prod/9e/03/9e038baab1bc42d5899b8dfc19068123.jpeg)
LLBWS: 2003, 2004
Team: Lamar National Little League
City: Richmond, Texas
Finish: Lost 14-13 to Saugus, Massachusetts, in 2003 quarterfinals. Lost 4-0 to Thousand Oaks, Caliornia, in 2004 semifinals.
Bottom Line: Randal Grichuk
/granite-web-prod/2a/35/2a35eae7346943b5a7d710100338a549.jpeg)
MLB: 2014-present (8 seasons)
Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays
Position: Outfield
Stats: 864 G, 3197 PA, 730 H, 155 HR, 436 RBI, 405 R, .245 BA, .767 OPS
World Series appearances: None
Major league teams value hitting over defense today.
If a player can swing a bat with some pop, he will have a place in the game.
See Randal Grichuk for proof.
17. Ed Vosberg
/granite-web-prod/b2/e1/b2e161921fcf41489d88493429974b0f.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1973
Team: Cactus Little League
City: Tucson, Arizona
Finish: Lost 12-0 to Tainan City, Taiwan, in final
Bottom Line: Ed Vosberg
/granite-web-prod/c8/f0/c8f043e9844347469e576df11685d90a.jpeg)
MLB: 1986,1990, 1994-97, 1999-2002 (10 seasons)
Teams: San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics, Texas Rangers, Florida Marlins, Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies, Montreal Expos
Position: Pitcher (left-handed)
Stats: 266 G, 10-15, 4.32 ERA, 233.1 IP, 250 H, 112 ER, 179 SO
World Series appearances: 1 (1997)
World Series titles: 1 (1997)
Ed Vosberg didn’t get a Little League World Series title, but he won at every other level.
He helped the University of Arizona win its second national title in baseball as a freshman and provided some relief for the Marlins in their 1997 World Series run.
In all, the lefty pitched for eight major league teams over his 10-year career.
16. Dave Veres
/granite-web-prod/9b/25/9b2590524cc049e78e04c5a2dc671f8e.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1978
Team: Torrejon Air Base
City: Madrid, Spain
Finish: Lost 13-0 to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in quarterfinals
Bottom Line: Dave Veres
/granite-web-prod/bb/e5/bbe522bc392b471fadd25645d74d9507.jpeg)
MLB: 1994-2003 (10 seasons)
Teams: Houston Astros, Montreal Expos, Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs
Position: Pitcher (right-handed)
Stats: 605 G, 36-35, 3.44 ERA, 694.0 IP, 661 H, 265 ER, 617 SO, 95 SV
World Series appearances: None
Dave Veres pitched eight seasons in the minors before he made his major league debut at 27.
Although Veres never won a ring, he was a solid relief pitcher and calm under pressure. In 14 postseason appearances, he had a 2.03 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 13.1 innings.
There's a word for that. Clutch.
15. Lance Lynn
/granite-web-prod/51/90/5190dc4d93984dfc90b33c836885d3da.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1999
Team: Brownsburg Little League
City: Brownsburg, Indiana
Finish: Eliminated in pool play
Bottom Line: Lance Lynn
/granite-web-prod/1a/17/1a177d405f2e4c3792924964c826f273.jpeg)
MLB: 2011-15, 2017-present (10 seasons)
Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox
Position: Pitcher (right-handed)
Stats: 284 G, 260 GS, 114-75, 3.49 ERA, 1562.1 IP, 1416 H, 605 ER, 1567 SO, 2x All-Star
World Series appearances: 2 (2011, 2013)
World Series titles: 1 (2011)
Lance Lynn started his MLB life strong, and it looks like that’s how he will end it.
After appearing to be on his way out of the game, the hard-throwing right-hander finished fifth in AL Cy Young voting in 2019, sixth in 2020 and was an All-Star in 2021.
So hold off on writing that career obituary.
14. Colby Rasmus
/granite-web-prod/78/f7/78f73988d6f549ea8f13484ebedf499b.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1999
Team: Phenix City National
City: Phenix City, Alabama
Finish: Lost 5-0 to Hirakata, Japan, in final
Bottom Line: Colby Rasmus
/granite-web-prod/51/23/51231b21ec93496d8f7c94e0b1c7be8b.jpeg)
MLB: 2009-18 (10 seasons)
Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles
Position: Center field
Stats: 1092 G, 4119 PA, 891 H, 166 HR, 491 RBI, 536 R, .241 BA
World Series appearances: None
Colby Rasmus had some big hits in his career.
During the regular season, he hit a home run every 24.8 plate appearances. In nine postseason games, he hit a home run every 8.8 plate appearances (4 HRs in 35 PAs) while batting .423 (11-for-26) with a 1.610 OPS.
Too bad he didn’t get a chance to play in a World Series. He might have put on a show.
13. Todd Frazier
/granite-web-prod/ed/11/ed11b44879924dcd9c6ee1d7cb1003c7.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1998
Team: Toms River American Little League
City: Toms River, New Jersey
Finish: Beat Kashima, Japan, 12-9 in finals to win championship
Bottom Line: Todd Frazier
/granite-web-prod/d3/3c/d33cd6acb0844a25830fd019e8972830.jpeg)
MLB: 2011-present (11 seasons)
Teams: Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates
Position: Third base, first base
Stats: 1244 G, 4949 PA, 1059 H, 218 HR, 640 RBI, 604 R, .241 BA, 2x All-Star
World Series appearances: None
Some people are born to play baseball. Like Todd Frazier.
The New Jersey Little League legend has made over 1,000 starts in his big league career.
And he’s still going.
12. Derek Bell
/granite-web-prod/7e/02/7e02483e305d4dc8a8a24d499a783904.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1980, 1981
Team: Belmont Heights Little League
City: Tampa, Florida
Finish: Lost 4-3 to Hualian, Taiwan, in 1980 final. Lost 5-4 to Danville, California, in 1981 quarterfinals.
Bottom Line: Derek Bell
/granite-web-prod/e5/91/e59142b12e5846fbaea4413ff3595840.jpeg)
MLB: 1991-2001 (11 seasons)
Teams: Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, Houston Astros, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates
Position: Outfield
Stats: 1210 G, 5068 PA, 1262 H, 134 HR, 668 RBI, 642 R, .276 BA, .757 OPS
World Series appearances: 2 (1992, 2000)
World Series titles: 1 (1992)
Florida has been producing baseball talent for decades. Derek Bell was another stud to come out of Tampa.
After Williamsport, Bell starred at C. Leon King High School in Tampa, got drafted in the second round by the Blue Jays and never looked back.
11. Wilson Alvarez
/granite-web-prod/fc/45/fc45ebd39ecb47dab7347a00dece842d.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1982
Team: Coquivacoa Little League
City: Maracaibo, Venezuela
Finish: Lost 8-2 to Chiayi County, Taiwan, in quarterfinals
Bottom Line: Wilson Alvarez
/granite-web-prod/53/9e/539e8ae657094f25b70b3225809db328.jpeg)
MLB: 1989, 1991-99, 2002-05 (14 seasons)
Teams: Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, San Francisco Giants, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers
Position: Starting pitcher (left-handed)
Stats: 355 G, 263 GS, 102-92, 3.96 ERA, 1624 H, 769 ER, 1330 SO, All-Star
World Series appearances: None
Wilson Alvarez learned how to pitch as a kid in Venezuela, and his talent and work ethic took him to the Show.
Winning 100 games in the bigs is a respectable neighborhood. With a little more run support on some better teams, he might have won a ring.
10. Ken Hubbs
/granite-web-prod/58/48/5848e19c8903430d9cde6c8bc51b7f57.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1954
Team: Lions Club Little League
City: Colton, California
Finish: Lost 7-5 to Schenectady, New York, in final
Bottom Line: Ken Hubbs
/granite-web-prod/7a/6b/7a6bcdec831c4567a0a2d78d92953ed0.jpeg)
MLB: 1961-63 (3 seasons)
Teams: Chicago Cubs
Position: Second base
Stats: 324 G, 1358 PA, 310 H, 14 HR, 98 RBI, 148 R, .247 BA, ROY (1962), Gold Glove
World Series appearances: None
They say only the good die young, and Ken Hubbs was one of the best. After becoming the first MLB rookie to win a Gold Glove in 1962, Hubbs died two years later at the age of 22 while piloting a plane during a snowstorm in Utah.
Many people believe Hubbs could have been one of the game's all-time great second basemen and a future Hall of Famer.
"Any athlete who ever played with Hubbs will dedicate the rest of his career to Ken," said Ernie Banks, "because he was the zenith in inspiration and enthusiasm as well as desire and determination."
Los Angeles Times columnist Jim Murray wrote: "Kenneth Douglass Hubbs was more than just another baseball player. He was the kind of athlete all games need. A devout Mormon, a cheerful leader, a picture-book player, blond-haired, healthy, generous with his time for young boys; he was the kind of youth in short supply in these selfish times."
Billy Connors played against Hubbs’ team in the Little League World Series, then became his teammate and friend in the minors. Years later, Connors, a longtime major league pitching coach, reminisced, "I’ve seen a lot of professional players through the years, but I would describe Kenny as a perfect player. He had great talent, great makeup, an amazing will to win."
Ken Hubbs will never be forgotten.
9. Dan Wilson
/granite-web-prod/f3/35/f3352e0a600243f5841709e5ad2eb7c4.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1981
Team: Barrington Little League
City: Barrington, Illinois
Finish: Lost 11-10 to Tampa, Florida, in semifinals
Bottom Line: Dan Wilson
/granite-web-prod/1a/ed/1aed15c472464d72a59da9d2e8dc4ab5.jpeg)
MLB: 1992-05 (14 seasons)
Teams: Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners
Position: Catcher
Stats: 1281 G, 4616 PA, 1097 H, 88 HR, 519 RBI, 441 R, .262 BA, All-Star
World Series appearances: None
Dan Wilson was an underrated catcher.
He called a good game behind the plate and was as steady as they come, starting over 90 percent of the games he played.
He also made $29.7 million in salary. Which is nice.
8. Charlie Hayes
/granite-web-prod/9f/97/9f9732786745452ab9eeeaa96a460d5e.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1977
Team: Hub City Little League
City: Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Finish: Lost 3-1 to El Cajon, California, in quarterfinals
Bottom Line: Charlie Hayes
/granite-web-prod/96/b6/96b67897e6a74fb68647e01983578b8d.jpeg)
MLB: 1988-2001 (14 seasons)
Teams: San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, Colorado Rockies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Milwaukee Brewers, Houston Astros
Position: Third base, first base
Stats: 1547 G, 5766, 1379, 144 HR, 740 RBI, 580 R, .262 BA, .714 OPS
World Series appearances: 1 (1996)
World Series titles: 1 (1996)
Thank Charlie Hayes’ mother for his big league career. She refused to let him quit when he was in the minors.
His best season was in 1993 with the Colorado Rockies, when he led the NL in doubles with 45 and hit 25 home runs. He remains a Bronx legend for catching the final out to win the 1996 World Series for the New York Yankees.
Now Hayes owns and runs Big League Baseball Academy and provides baseball lessons for players of all ages in the Houston area.
7. Jason Bay
/granite-web-prod/f6/3b/f63b8160c268431fb7df71529bc7f9ef.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1990
Team: Trail Little League
City: Trail, British Columbia, Canada
Finish: Lost 20-1 to Tainan, Taiwan, in semifinals
Bottom Line: Jason Bay
/granite-web-prod/a6/f0/a6f0026ee31e4a0492e15d73d7291f9e.jpeg)
MLB: 2003-13 (11 seasons)
Teams: San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners
Position: Left field
Stats: 1278 G, 5258 PA, 1200 H, 222 HR, 754 RBI, 737 R, .266 BA, .841 OPS, Rookie of the Year (2004), 3x All-Star
World Series appearances: None
Big markets aren’t for everyone. If Jason Bay had never left Pittsburgh, he might still be mashing for the Pirates.
6. Rick Wise
/granite-web-prod/94/02/9402c2140d0e44f982ae21b882de52ed.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1958
Team: Rose City Little League
City: Portland, Oregon
Finish: Lost 7-2 to Kankakee, Illinois, in quarterfinals
Bottom Line: Rick Wise
/granite-web-prod/f3/49/f349dac6d80941849a9f13e051c4d897.jpeg)
MLB: 1964, 1966-82 (18 seasons)
Teams: Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, San Diego Padres
Position: Pitcher (right-handed)
Stats: 506 G, 455 GS, 188-181, 3.69 ERA, 138 CG, 30 SHO, 3227 H, 1281 ER, 1647 SO, 2x All-Star
World Series appearances: 1 (1975)
World Series titles: None
You have to be pretty good to stick around for three decades. Rick Wise made his big league debut at the age of 18 in 1964 and pitched until he was 36 in 1982. His best season was 1975 when he won 19 games for the Red Sox, won both his postseason starts and finished eighth in AL Cy Young voting.
He also had one of the greatest games in baseball history — on June 23, 1971, at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati — when he threw a no-hitter and hit two home runs for the Philadelphia Phillies against the Reds. It was the first no-no for the Phils since Jim Bunning's perfect game in 1964 and the first time any MLB pitcher ever threw a no-hitter and hit two home runs.
Wise finished his career with 188 wins and 15 home runs and was much more than just the player the Phillies traded to the Cardinals for Steve Carlton.
5. Carney Lansford
/granite-web-prod/c9/41/c941bdeea2ed45199c159a348af2f546.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1969
Team: Briarwood Little League
City: Santa Clara, California
Finish: Lost 5-0 to Taichung City, Taiwan, in final
Bottom Line: Carney Lansford
/granite-web-prod/58/9c/589c56f6f3e3407cb0ae8981624252e2.jpeg)
MLB: 1978-92 (15 seasons)
Teams: California Angels, Boston Red Sox, Oakland A’s
Position: Third base and first base
Stats: 1862 G, 7905 PA, 2074 H, 151 HR, 874 RBI, 1007 R, .290 BA, 224 SB, All-Star
World Series appearances: 3 (1988, 1989, 1990)
World Series titles: 1 (1989)
Look up reliable in the dictionary, and you’ll see a picture of Carney Lansford in the starting lineup, playing third base, batting second, and making good things happen.
He wasn’t flashy, but he got the job done.
Whatever the job was.
4. Cody Bellinger
/granite-web-prod/15/c1/15c156fbeb7a4989ab0ad360e3ab25ae.jpeg)
LLBWS: 2007
Team: Chandler National Little League
City: Chandler, Arizona
Finish: Lost 16-6 to Warner Robins, Georgia, in quarterfinals
Bottom Line: Cody Bellinger
/granite-web-prod/ac/cc/acccb84664634d878cf9697fcf8377be.jpeg)
MLB: 2017-present (5 seasons)
Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers
Position: Outfield and first base
Stats: 582 G, 2379 PA, 539 H, 132 HR, 350 RBI, 360 R, .260 BA, .867 OPS, ROY (2017), NL MVP (2019), 2x All-Star
World Series appearances: 3 (2017, 2018, 2020)
World Series titles: 1 (2020)
Seems like yesterday Cody Bellinger was starring in Little League, whose motto is character, courage and loyalty.
Bellinger grew up to be the embodiment of that motto in the big leagues and started his career on pace for a plaque in Cooperstown. But then the fourth-round pick in the 2013 MLB draft suffered some injuries and fell on hard times.
Will he ever regain his All-Star/MVP form?
3. Gary Sheffield
/granite-web-prod/dc/34/dc34226dd91c4cefb2008f4e2f3ff648.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1980
Team: Belmont Heights Little League
City: Tampa, Florida
Finish: Lost 4-3 to Hualian, Taiwan, in final
Bottom Line: Gary Sheffield
/granite-web-prod/85/28/8528d85645b2403491c62be1d379572e.jpeg)
MLB: 1988-2009 (22 seasons)
Teams: Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, Florida Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, New York Mets
Position: Right field, third base, shortstop
Stats: 2576 G, 10947 PA, 2689 H, 509 HR, 1676 RBI, 1636 R, .292 BA, .907 OPS
World Series appearances: 1 (1997)
World Series titles: 1 (1997)
Gary Sheffield has been a masher his whole life. During the 1980 Little League World Series, Sheffield played catcher and led his team to 20-3 and 16-0 wins in their first two games. They lost the championship game 4-3 to Taiwan thanks to some great pitching.
But not too many pitchers could stop Sheff. He was a first-round pick out of Tampa’s Hillsborough High School in 1986 (the third of four first-rounders from the school in the 1980s), and when Sheffield started wagging that bat above his head in the batter’s box, he put fear into a lot of opposing pitchers. Then his fast hands, bat speed and power did the rest and put baseballs out of the yard in a hurry.
Sheffield ranks 26th all-time in home runs (509), 30th in RBI (1,676) and is top five for hitter intimidation. Seven of the 10 batters that are similar to Sheffield, according to Baseball Reference, are in the Hall of Fame. And he can still rake in his 50s.
So when's he getting his Hall call?
2. Jason Varitek
/granite-web-prod/28/ba/28ba6ecd6b184c9abb3d25224c21f2d3.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1984
Team: Almonte Springs National Little League
City: Almonte Springs, Florida
Finish: Lost 6-2 to Seoul, South Korea, in final
Bottom Line: Jason Varitek
/granite-web-prod/59/6f/596fb47e0bf84d49b7e10ef5ff0748a8.jpeg)
MLB: 1997-2011 (15 seasons)
Teams: Boston Red Sox
Position: Catcher
Stats: 1546 G, 5839 PA, 1307 H, 193 HR, 757 RBI, 664 R, .256 BA, .776 OPS, 3x All-Star, Gold Glove
World Series appearances: 2 (2004, 2007)
World Series titles: 2 (2004, 2007)
Breaking curses has its privileges. "The Captain" has not had to pay for a meal in Boston since 2004, when the Red Sox won their first World Series in 86 years.
Jason Varitek hit .321 (9-for-28) with two home runs and seven RBI against the Yankees in the seven-game ALCS to get Boston to the Fall Classic that year. And he hit 11 postseason home runs in his career.
One day, he could make a good major league skipper.
1. Boog Powell
/granite-web-prod/b4/28/b428871093404bc2b61b12a5c4ef441c.jpeg)
LLBWS: 1954
Team: Orange Little League
City: Lakeland, Florida
Finish: Lost 16-0 to Schenectady, New York, in quarterfinals
Bottom Line: Boog Powell
/granite-web-prod/7c/4e/7c4e952ad5d64f788ea29d55559e7340.jpeg)
MLB: 1961-77 (17 seasons)
Teams: Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Dodgers
Position: First base and left field
Stats: 2042 G, 7809 PA, 1776 H, 339 HR, 1187 RBI, 889 R, .266 BA, .822 OPS, MVP, 4x All-Star
World Series appearances: 4 (1966, 1969, 1970, 1971)
World Series titles: 2 (1966, 1970)
Boog Powell didn’t just have one of the best names in baseball history. The man (whose given name was John Wesley and got the nickname from his father for being a “little bugger,” or mischief maker) also had one of the most interesting careers.
After making his major league debut as a 20-year-old in 1961, Powell remained a fixture at first base and in the middle of the Orioles’ lineup for 14 seasons, hitting 303 home runs, leading Baltimore to two world championships and winning the 1970 American League MVP.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound left-handed slugger also had a big personality to match and became a pitchman for Miller Lite, doing 17 commercials, including this classic with umpire Jim Honochick.