From Little League Dreams to the Big leagues: Mariners & Mets Showcase BaseballS roots
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The annual MLB Little League Classic, featuring the Seattle Mariners and New York Mets, highlights the enduring connection between baseball’s youngest players and its biggest stars.This year’s game, set for august 17th at historic Bowman Field in williamsport, Pennsylvania, will be broadcast on ESPN’s “Sunday Night Baseball” at 7 p.m. ET, and features numerous Major League players who honed their skills on little league diamonds. The event serves as a powerful reminder that the path to the major leagues frequently enough begins with a love for the game cultivated at the local level.
The Little League Classic: A Celebration of Baseball’s Foundation
The Little League World Series is currently underway,showcasing some of the most promising young baseball talent in the nation. Many of these aspiring athletes dream of one day playing in the major leagues, and their chances are far from improbable. The presence of so many Little League alumni currently thriving in Major League Baseball demonstrates the formative impact of the program. This year’s MLB Little League Classic underscores that journey, bringing professional players back to the very heart of the sport’s origins.
Mariners & mets: A Legacy of Little League baseball
Several players on both the seattle Mariners and New York Mets rosters have roots in little league baseball,both within the United States and internationally. Seattle manager dan Wilson himself participated in the 1981 Little League baseball World Series while playing for Barrington (Illinois) Little League, demonstrating the long-lasting impact of the program on those involved.
Here’s a look at some of the notable players and their little league affiliations:
Seattle Mariners:
- J.P. Crawford, shortstop, played for Lakewood Little League in Lakewood, California.
- George Kirby, starting pitcher, played for Rye Little League in Rye, New York.
- Cal Raleigh, catcher, played for Great Smokies Little League in Sylva, North carolina.
- Julio Rodriguez, center fielder, played little league baseball in Loma de cabrera, Dominican Republic.
- Bryan Woo, starting pitcher, played for Alameda Little League in Alameda, California.
New York mets:
- Pete Alonso,first baseman,played for Tampa Bay Little League in Tampa Bay,Florida.
- Edwin Diaz, reliever, played for Miguel Luzunaris Little League in Humacao, Puerto Rico.
- Francisco lindor, shortstop, played little league baseball in Caguas, Puerto Rico.
- Jeff McNeil, second baseman, played for Goleta valley South Little League in Santa Barbara, California.
- Kodai Senga,starting pitcher,played little league baseball in Gamagri,Japan.
- Juan Soto, right fielder, played for Banco central Little League in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
looking Back: “Then & Now”
The MLB Little League Classic provides a unique opportunity to reflect on the journeys of these players, from their early days in little league to their current success in the major leagues. The “then and now” photos of these players, as promised, offer a compelling visual narrative of their development and dedication. .
The August 17th matchup between the Mariners and Mets is more than just a game; its a celebration of baseball’s enduring spirit and the dreams that begin on little league fields across the globe.
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