PROS WHO PLAYED IN THE LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES

By Arnie Leshin 

They might be household names now, but some professional athletes were also on top of the chartsas kids on the baseball fields of the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

No doubt there are many young athletes that have played at this level through the ages, but not all of them have advanced to something else or remained in baseball. And so let’s check off some of the better known athletes who began in Little League and remained on the sports pages.

TODD FRAZIER: The Most Valuable Player of the 1998 LL World Series won by his team from Toms River, N.J., he’s now in his 33rd season in the Major Leagues as the New York Mets’ third baseman. He’s also had All-Star seasons with the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds.

MICHAEL CONFORTO: Was on the Redmond, Wash. team that played in the 2004 World Series. After starring in the outfield as an All-America for the Oregon State team, he was drafted by the New York Mets and is now a starting outfielder.

SCOTT KINGERY: Played for the Phoenix team in the 2006 World Series, then drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies, where he’s now in his rookie season and one of the best relief pitchers in the league.

FRANCISCO PENA: Played for the Little League from the Bronx in 2001. It finished third, but was then disqualified when it was learned that one of its pitchers was too old to be on the team. He went on to sign up with the Mets, but he made his Major League debut with the Kansas City Royals and is now a catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.

MATT CASSEL: He was the first baseman for the “Earthquake Kids” from Northridge City, Calif., in 1994. His team reached the final before losing to Venezuela. He became an NFL quarterback, and is now with his seventh  team, the Detroit Lions.

AUSTIN DILLION: Played second base and batted ninth for the Southwest Forsyth team from Clemmons, N.C. His team went 0-3 but Dillion found success as a NASCAR driver, winning the 2018 Daytona 500.

PIERRE TURGEON: He represented the Quebec team in the 1982 World Series, and was later selected number one overall in the 1987 NHL draft by the Buffalo Sabres and then named to five All-Star games during a long career in which he racked up more than 500 goals and 800 assists.

RANDAL GRICHUK: Participated in the World Series in 2003 and 2004 for Richmond, Tex. His team finished third and he tied the LLWS record for hits with 12 that included four home runs. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in 2009 and made his Major League debut in 2014 with the St. Louis Cardinals, and is now with the Toronto Blue Jays.

LANCE LYNN:  Competed in the 1999 World Series with the Brownsburg, Ind., team.  He was then chosen by the Cards in the first round of the 2008 draft, and debuted in 2011, winning the ML World Series with St. Louis. He now pitches for the New York Yankees.

CHAD PENNINGTON:  Played for the Hamilton, Ohio, team in the 1991 World Series and it got to the quarterfinals. He went on to NFL Comeback Player of the Year twice during his 11 years as quarterback for the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins.

BILLY HUNTER: He was a pitcher and infielder for the Delaware Township team from Cherry Hill, N.J., and made the title game. Went on to play wide receiver and also was a kick returner for the Washington Redskins and Dolphins. He also served as executive director of the National Basketball Players Association.

GALE GILBERT: The catcher for the Red Bluff, Calif., team that lost the 1974 championship to Taiwan. He became an NFL quarterback and was on five consecutive Super Bowl teams, but never won. He was also quarterback for California during the famous “band is on the field” game against Stanford.

TURK SCHONERT: Played in the 1968 World Series as a shortstop and third baseman for Garden Grove, Calif. Then he played 12 seasons as an NFL quarterback with the Cincinnati Bengals and with the Atlanta Falcons. He has since been a longtime NFL, UFL and CFL coach.

BRIAN SNIPE: Competed for the 1961 World Series winner from El Cajon, Calif., and later went on to be an NFL quarterback. In 1980, he was named the NFL’s MVP and selected to the Pro Bowl for helping the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs. He still holds Browns’ records for passing yards and touchdowns.

KRISSY WENDELL-POHL:  In 1994, she became fifth girl to play in the World Series, and the first to start at catcher while playing for Brooklyn Center of Minnesota, She went on to win a silver medal in women’s ice hockey of the 2002 Olympic Games, and a bronze in the 2006 Games.

CODY BELLINGER:  Played for the Chandler, Ariz., in the 2007 World Series before being drafted by the Dodgers in 2013. He mad his Major League debut in 2017 and was named Rookie of the Year and an All-Star.

COLBY RASMUS:  He played first base and pitched for the Phoenix City, Ala., team in the 1999 World Series and made it to the title game. He was drafted by the Cardinals in 2005 and made his Major League debut in 2009. In 2018, he played for the Baltimore Orioles.