Pair of Cougars Alums Named Major League All-Stars
Saturday evening's roster announcement for the Major League All-Star Game includes two former Kane County Cougars as Detroit infielder Miguel Cabrera and Texas outfielder Nelson Cruz were named to the American League squad. Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Adrian Gonzalez is one of the final vote nominees for the National League team; fans can vote through Thursday, July 11 at 3 p.m. This year's game will be hosted by the New York Mets on Tuesday, July 16 at 7 p.m. This is the 17th straight Major League All-Star Game to include at least one former Cougar. Here's a capsule look at both 2013 Major League All-Stars who wore Cougars jerseys as minor league prospects.
OF Nelson Cruz - Texas Rangers. Cruz was selected as a reserve outfielder and this summer's midseason classic is his second All-Star nod (2009). Cruz entered play on Saturday hitting .268 with 21 home runs and 65 RBI. He was fifth in the league in both home runs and RBIs.
As a Cougar - In '03, Cruz was named a Midwest League All-Star and batted .238 with 20 home runs and 85 RBI.
3B Miguel Cabrera - Detroit Tigers. Cabrera has followed his Triple Crown season of 2012 in strong fashion and received more than 8 million fan votes. Cabrera had never been voted into the All-Star starting lineup until this year. Cabrera leads the league in batting average and RBI. This is his 8th All-Star selection.
As a Cougar - In '01, Cabrera batted .268 with seven home runs and 66 RBI to help bring Kane County its first-ever Midwest League championship that season.
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Former Cougars as MLB All-Stars
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