Cedar Rapids Kernels
Encyclopedia
The Cedar Rapids Kernels are a Class A minor league baseball
team based in Iowa
. It is affiliated with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
and plays in the Midwest League
.
was awarded a Midwest League franchise in 1962 that was originally called the Red Raiders (1962-1964). After that the team used the name of the major league franchise it affiliated with: the Cardinals
(1965-1972), the Astros
(1973-1974), the Giants
(1975-1979), and the Reds
(1980-1992). The team adopted the Kernels nickname after affiliating with the Angels before the 1993 season. It won Midwest League championships in 1988, 1992, and 1994.
The team's first home ballpark was the original Veterans Memorial Stadium
, which opened in 1949. In August 2000 voters approved a referendum to build a new ballpark adjacent to the old one, which was demolished after the 2001 season. The new Veterans Memorial Stadium was completed in time for the opening of the 2002 season, and the Kernels set a franchise attendance record of 196,066 in the new park's inaugural year.
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
team based in Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. It is affiliated with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
and plays in the Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
.
Franchise history
Cedar RapidsCedar Rapids, Iowa
Cedar Rapids is the second largest city in Iowa and is the county seat of Linn County. The city lies on both banks of the Cedar River, north of Iowa City and east of Des Moines, the state's capital and largest city...
was awarded a Midwest League franchise in 1962 that was originally called the Red Raiders (1962-1964). After that the team used the name of the major league franchise it affiliated with: the Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
(1965-1972), the Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
(1973-1974), the Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
(1975-1979), and the Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
(1980-1992). The team adopted the Kernels nickname after affiliating with the Angels before the 1993 season. It won Midwest League championships in 1988, 1992, and 1994.
The team's first home ballpark was the original Veterans Memorial Stadium
Veterans Memorial Stadium (Cedar Rapids)
Veterans Memorial Stadium is a minor league baseball stadium in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It is the home field of the Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Midwest League...
, which opened in 1949. In August 2000 voters approved a referendum to build a new ballpark adjacent to the old one, which was demolished after the 2001 season. The new Veterans Memorial Stadium was completed in time for the opening of the 2002 season, and the Kernels set a franchise attendance record of 196,066 in the new park's inaugural year.
Notable alumni
Many former Cedar Rapids players have made it to the major leagues as either players or coaches, including:- Bob BrenlyBob BrenlyRobert Earl Brenly is an American former professional baseball player, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. He played the majority of his career as a catcher with the San Francisco Giants and played half a season for the Toronto Blue Jays...
(1977) - Alexi CasillaAlexi CasillaAlexi Casilla Lora is a Major League Baseball second baseman and shortstop for the Minnesota Twins.-Professional career:...
(2005) - Quan CosbyQuan CosbyQuantwan Cosby better known as Quan Cosby is an American football wide receiver for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns...
(2005 - Chili DavisChili DavisCharles Theodore "Chili" Davis is the hitting coach for the Oakland Athletics. Davis is a former outfielder/designated hitter who played in Major League Baseball with the San Francisco Giants , California Angels , Minnesota Twins , Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees...
(1979) - Eric Davis (1982)
- Gary DenboGary DenboGary Brian Denbo is currently a Major League Professional Scout for the New York Yankees professional baseball organization.-Playing career:...
(2001) - Rob DibbleRob DibbleRobert Keith Dibble is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and television analyst.-Personal life:Dibble is a graduate of Southington High School in Southington, Connecticut...
(1985) - Jason DicksonJason DicksonJason Dickson is a Canadian baseball pitcher from Miramichi, New Brunswick.Dickson is a graduate of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College. He played for the Somerset Patriots and was drafted by the California Angels in the 6th round of the 1994 MLB Amateur Draft...
(1995) - Trevor HoffmanTrevor HoffmanTrevor William Hoffman is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. During his 18-year career from 1993 to 2010, he pitched for the Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, and the Milwaukee Brewers, spending years of his career with the Padres. A long-time closer, he is the Major...
(1991) - Bobby JenksBobby JenksRobert Scott "Bobby" Jenks is an American professional baseball relief pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball...
(2001) - Howie KendrickHowie KendrickHoward "Howie" Joseph Kendrick III is a Major League Baseball second baseman for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.-Early life:...
(2004) - Casey KotchmanCasey KotchmanCasey John Kotchman is an American Major League Baseball first baseman.-High school:He was on the 2001 national champion team of Seminole High School in Seminole, Florida.-Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim:...
(2002) - John LackeyJohn LackeyJohn Derran Lackey is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. Lackey was drafted by the Anaheim Angels in 1999 and helped the franchise win its first World Series title in 2002, which was his first season in the major leagues...
(2000) - Jeff MathisJeff MathisJeffrey Stephen Mathis is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and made his major league debut on August 12, 2005...
(2002) - Dallas McPhersonDallas McPhersonDallas Lyle McPherson is an American professional baseball third baseman in the Chicago White Sox organization.-High school:McPherson played at Randleman High School under Coach Tommy Price...
(2002) - Bengie MolinaBengie MolinaBenjamin José "Bengie" Molina , nicknamed "Big Money", is a former Major League Baseball catcher.He is the older brother of major league catchers José Molina and Yadier Molina....
(1994-1995) - Mike NapoliMike NapoliMichael Anthony Napoli is a Major League Baseball catcher/first baseman with the Texas Rangers.-Early career:Napoli attended Charles Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines, Florida...
(2001-2002) - Paul O'NeillPaul O'Neill (baseball player)Paul Andrew O'Neill is a former right fielder and Major League Baseball player who won five World Series while playing for the Cincinnati Reds and New York Yankees . In a 17 year career, O'Neill compiled 281 home runs, 1,269 runs batted in, 2,107 hits, and a lifetime batting average of .288...
(1982) - Ramón OrtizRamón OrtizRamón Diógenes Ortiz is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher. He has previously pitched in Major League Baseball for the Anaheim Angels, Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals, Minnesota Twins, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs as well as the Orix...
(1997) - Jerry ReussJerry ReussJerry Reuss -- pronounced "royce" -- is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, best known for his years with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the United States, who had a 22-year career from to ....
(1967) - Chris SaboChris SaboChristopher Andrew Sabo is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds , Baltimore Orioles , Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals . At 6'0" and 180 lb , he batted and threw right-handed...
(1983) - Reggie SandersReggie SandersReginald Laverne Sanders is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed. Sanders was 24 years old when he made his major league debut on August 22, , after being selected in the 7th round of the amateur draft by the Cincinnati Reds...
(1990) - Ervin SantanaErvin SantanaErvin Ramon Santana is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.-Name:...
(2002) - Ted SimmonsTed SimmonsTed Lyle Simmons is an American former professional baseball player and coach. A switch-hitter, Simmons was a catcher for most of his Major League Baseball career with the St. Louis Cardinals , the Milwaukee Brewers and the Atlanta Braves...
(1967) - Jarrod WashburnJarrod WashburnJarrod Michael Washburn is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and currently resides in his hometown of Webster, Wisconsin.-High school / college:...
(1995) - Shawn WootenShawn WootenWilliam Shawn Wooten is a retired Major League Baseball catcher. Previously, Wooten played in the majors with the Anaheim Angels , Philadelphia Phillies , and Boston Red Sox...
(1997) - Kal DanielsKal DanielsKalvoski Daniels is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played from 1986–1992. He spent time with the Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs during his seven year career.Daniels was born on August 20, 1963 in Vienna, Georgia...
(1983) - Kurt StillwellKurt StillwellKurt Andrew Stillwell is a former Major League Baseball infielder with a 9-year career from 1986–1993, 1996...
(1984) - Rob DeerRob DeerRobert George Deer is a former American baseball player. He attended Canyon High School in Anaheim and Fresno City College, and was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 4th round of the 1978 amateur draft....
(1979) - Mike TroutMike TroutMichael Nelson Trout is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Major League Baseball....
(2010)