Rangers and Trio of former 'Dads appear in MLB playoffs

For the second time in the eighteen-year history of the Hickory Crawdads, the 'Dads' major league affiliate has earned a playoffs berth. The first time was during the Crawdads' inaugural season, when the 1993 Chicago White Sox, the original major league affiliate of Hickory, were champions of the American League West Division. This year, Hickory's current major league affiliate, the Texas Rangers, are at the top of the heap in the American League West. Their first obstacle on the road to their first World Series appearance will be the Tampa Bay Rays, who locked up the AL-East title during the regular season. Meanwhile, through Saturday afternoon, three former Crawdads find themselves engaged in postseason play with other organizations.

Matt Capps (04'-05'), Nate McLouth ('01), and Aaron Rowand ('98) are this year's Crawdads Alumni representatives in the MLB postseason.

Matt Capps, the current closer for the Minnesota Twins, is the most recent 'Dads player gunning for a chance at postseason glory. Capps last played for the Crawdads in 2005, and after making a transition from starting pitcher into a relief role that season, he found himself making his Major League debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates that September. This past season, Capps made his first All-Star appearance as a member of the Washington Nationals, becoming the first pitcher to earn a win for the National League since 1996. Just two weeks later, Capps was traded to the Twins, setting him on the path to October baseball.

Nate McLouth, a backup outfielder for the Atlanta Braves, had a disappointing 2010, having batted a mere .190. After three seasons with the Pittsburg Pirates, a former Crawdads major league affiliate, McLouth was traded to Atlanta in 2009. A 2008 Gold Glove Award winner, McClouth could prove a valuable defensive asset for the Braves going forward.

Aaron Rowand is currently on the postseason roster as a backup center fielder for the San Francisco Giants. He was a World Series champion with the 2005 Chicago White Sox, the original parent club of the Crawdads. During his season with the Crawdads in 1998, Rowand put on an impressive show with a .342 batting average in 61 games played. The 2010 season proved challenging for Rowand, having struggled at the plate. With the Giants as a formidable contender however, Rowand could be on course for his second World Series ring.

In professional baseball, the road to the World Series is never easy. Just ask the Texas Rangers, who prior to this season, had only won one playoff game since their establishment in 1961. As for individual players, many will never see one pitch of playoff baseball in their entire careers. However, for this year's group of former Crawdads that have made it to October, the road that began in Hickory has led them to a place where all eyes are watching.