Cedar Rapids Kernels

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.

Franchise history

Cedar Rapids 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.

Current roster

Notable alumni

Many former Cedar Rapids players have made it to the major leagues as either players or coaches, including:

• Bob Brenly (1977)
• Alexi Casilla (2005)
• Quan Cosby (2005
• Chili Davis (1979)
• Eric Davis (1982)
• Gary Denbo (2001)
• Rob Dibble (1985)
• Jason Dickson (1995)
• Trevor Hoffman (1991)
• Bobby Jenks (2001)
• Howie Kendrick (2004)
• Casey Kotchman (2002)
• John Lackey (2000)
• Jeff Mathis (2002)
• Dallas McPherson (2002)
• Bengie Molina (1994-1995)
• Mike Napoli (2001-2002)
• Paul O'Neill (1982)
• Ramón Ortiz (1997)
• Jerry Reuss (1967)
• Chris Sabo (1983)
• Reggie Sanders (1990)
• Ervin Santana (2002)
• Ted Simmons (1967)
• Jarrod Washburn (1995)
• Shawn Wooten (1997)
• Kal Daniels (1983)
• Kurt Stillwell (1984)
• Rob Deer (1979)
• Mike Trout (2010)

References

• Dinda, Joel (2003), "Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in the Midwest League," http://www.mwlguide.com/cities/cedarrapids/index.html
• Koolbeck, Mike, "History of Cedar Rapids Professional Baseball," published in the Cedar Rapids Kernels Souvenir Program, 2001

External links

• Cedar Rapids Kernels web site
• FutureHalos.com web site