Cougars Alumni Named to Major League All-Star Game
GENEVA, Ill. - The recent roster announcement for the Major League All-Star Game includes a total of four former Kane County Cougars as Pittsburgh pitcher A.J. Burnett, Detroit infielder Miguel Cabrera, Seattle outfielder/designated hitter Nelson Cruz and Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Adrian Gonzalez were named to the midseason classic. This year's game will be hosted by Cincinnati on July 14. This is the 19th straight Major League All-Star Game to include at least one former Cougar.
A.J. Burnett ('98 Cougar) is a first-time All-Star in his 17th Major League season. He made his debut in 1999, one season after playing at Kane County and setting the Cougars' franchise record for most strikeouts in a season with 186, a record that still stands. This season, Burnett is 7-3 with a 1.99 ERA. Burnett is the lone remaining active Cougars player who played at Kane County in the 90's. Miguel Cabrera ('01 Cougar) was named a starter for the American League but will be unable to participate due to a strained left calf that has placed the slugger on the disabled list for the first time in his career. This is Cabrera's 10th All-Star selection in 12 years. Nelson Cruz ('03 Cougar) was named the starting designated hitter for the American League squad. This is his fourth All-Star appearance. Cruz is batting .300 with 21 home runs and 50 RBI. Adrian Gonzalez ('01 Cougar) is a five-time All-Star and continues to be regarded as one of the best overall players in the big leagues. He's batting .291 with 16 home runs and 51 RBI this season. In addition to the Cougars alumni who have been named Major League All-Stars, current Cougars pitcher Wei-Chieh Huang will play in the All-Star Futures Game on July 12. A pair of Cougars alumni will also participate in Kyle Schwarber ('14) and Cheslor Cuthbert ('11).
Former Cougars as MLB All-Stars
2015 - A.J. Burnett, Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Adrian Gonzalez
2014 - Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Sean Doolittle, Tyson Ross
2013 - Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz
2012 - Miguel Cabrera, Huston Street
2011 - Josh Beckett , Miguel Cabrera, Adrian Gonzalez, Andre Ethier
2010 - Andrew Bailey, Miguel Cabrera, Trevor Cahill, Andre Ethier, Adrian Gonzalez
2009 - Andrew Bailey, Josh Beckett, Nelson Cruz, Adrian Gonzalez
2008 - Ryan Dempster, Adrian Gonzalez
2007 - Josh Beckett, Miguel Cabrera
2006 - Miguel Cabrera, Edgar Renteria
2005 - Miguel Cabrera, Luis Castillo, Scott Podsednik, Dontrelle Willis
2004 - Miguel Cabrera, Edgar Renteria
2003 - Luis Castillo, Edgar Renteria, Dontrelle Willis
2002 - Luis Castillo, Randy Winn
2001 - Charles Johnson
2000 - Ryan Dempster, Edgar Renteria
1999 - Alex Gonzalez
1998 - Edgar Renteria
1997 - Charles Johnson
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