Illinois Baseball Report

To say the least, this is a busy week for former Illini infielder Toby Gardenhire.  For starters, he became the head coach of the University of Wisconsin-Stout Blue Devils baseball team.  But that’s not the biggest thing happening to him this week.  He will also be getting married on Saturday.  Congrats to Toby on both [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on January 17th, 2012 | 2 Comments »

… but that’s what we expect from him.  Former Illini Kimes played with the Elizabethton (TN) Twins in the Appalachian Rookie League last year.  Share Tags: corey kimes, minor leagues Related posts Exploratory committee to begin talks on minor league team in Champaign (2) Robbie on the move (1) Former Illini Rohde juggles baseball and [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on January 8th, 2012 | Leave a Comment! »

After three productive seasons at the Iowa Cubs, former Illini catcher Chris Robinson will be heading on to a different venue.  Robinson has been signed by the Texas Ranger organization.  In my opinion, it’s a good move for Robinson, who hit .316 with 29 rbis in 2011.  Robbie has done well with the AAA I-Cubs [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on December 21st, 2011 | 1 Comment »

There’s a very nice feature article on former Illini Mike Rohde at the John Marshall Law School web site.  Rohde who played first base for Illinois went on to play for the Gary SouthShore Railcats.  Not only that, we’ve heard him behind the mike for a few of the home Illini home games, too.  As [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on November 20th, 2011 | 1 Comment »

Yesterday, Illini Baseball Sports Information Director Ben Taylor posted a great article on the Fighting Illini website entitled Recent Draftees Say Illinois ‘Does It Right’.  The piece is about Josh Parr, Corey Kimes and Adam Davis (left) and their transition from college ball to the pros. All three having nothing but good things to say [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on November 15th, 2011 | Leave a Comment! »

Former Illini catcher Chris Robinson spurred his Team Canada to victory over the USA in the final game of the Pan Am Games.  Canada defeated the US team 2-1. Robinson played a big part in his team’s victory.  His base hit in the sixth inning started a two-out rally.  Robinson eventually scored the tying run. [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on October 26th, 2011 | 1 Comment »

Now that his minor league season with the Iowa Cubs is finished, former Illini Chris Robinson will once again join up with Team Canada.  Team Canada’s web site has the full roster. More specifically, Robbie and and Canadian teammates will be taking part in the 2011 IBAF World Cup in Panama and the Pan-Am Games [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on October 9th, 2011 | Leave a Comment! »

It looks like the Illini are representin’ in minor league playoff action in 2011. Joe Bonadonna (left, with the Illini) and the Greensboro Grasshoppers (Marlins Single-A) are seeing playoff action for the first time in 12 years.  They did in style too.  They won 13 of their last 15 games to win their South Atlantic [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on September 11th, 2011 | Leave a Comment! »

On his fifth day on the roster of the Baltimore Orioles and his second game, former Illini outfielder Kyle Hudson got his first hit.  On Labor Day, the Orioles were playing the New York Yankees.  The Orioles lost to the Yanks 11-10 but Hudson singled to Curtis Granderson (who by the way graduated from University [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on September 6th, 2011 | Leave a Comment! »

A couple of former Illini pitchers are having some success for their respective minor leagues teams. Slammin’ Pack Chris Pack, who was instrumental in Illinois’ success in the 2011 season as a reliever, is showing that same effectiveness for the Joliet Slammers.  Thanks in part to Pack (left, pitching for the Illini against Indiana State), [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on September 3rd, 2011 | 2 Comments »