Albert Goodwill Spalding was an American pitcher, manager, and executive in the early years of professional baseball, and the co-founder of A.G. Spalding sporting goods company. He was born and raised in Byron, Illinois yet graduated from Rockford Central High School in Rockford, Illinois. He played major league baseball between 1871 and 1878. Spalding set a trend when he started wearing a baseball glove.
The Arkansas Razorbacks, also known as the Hogs, are the intercollegiate athletics teams representing the University of Arkansas, located in Fayetteville. The University of Arkansas student body voted to change the name of the school mascot in 1910 to the Arkansas Razorbacks after a hard-fought battle against LSU in which they were said to play like a "wild band of Razorback hogs" by former coach Hugo Bezdek. The Arkansas Razorbacks are the only major sports team in the U.S. with a porcine nickname, though the Texas A&M–Kingsville Javelinas play in Division II.
Harry Ralston "Bud" Black is an American professional baseball manager and former player who is the manager of the Colorado Rockies. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a pitcher from 1981 through 1995, most notably for the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Indians. He coached the Anaheim Angels / Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim from 2000 through 2006, and managed the San Diego Padres from 2007 through 2015. He was named the National League Manager of the Year in 2010.
Walter Kevin McReynolds is an American former baseball player who was an outfielder with a 12-year career in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1983 to 1994. A two-time All-America from the University of Arkansas, he played professionally for the San Diego Padres and New York Mets of the National League and the Kansas City Royals of the American League.
Bret Edward Barberie is an American former professional baseball infielder. He played in Major League Baseball for the Montreal Expos, Florida Marlins, Baltimore Orioles, and Chicago Cubs. Before his professional career, Barberie attended the University of Southern California (USC) and played college baseball for the USC Trojans, and played for the United States national baseball team in the 1988 Summer Olympics and the 1988 Baseball World Cup.
Joel Bruce Kramer is a retired American professional basketball player. He was a 6' 7" and 203 lb small forward and played college basketball at San Diego State University. He had a five-year career in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1978–1983. Currently, Kramer is the Managing Director of Business Valuation and Litigation Services for CBIZ, a national accounting and financial services firm.
Ricky Joe Sweet is an American former professional baseball catcher and current manager of the Milwaukee Brewers' Triple-A affiliate, the Nashville Sounds. He played three seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) between 1978 and 1983 for the San Diego Padres, New York Mets, and Seattle Mariners. Sweet became a major league coach in 1984 and spent two years as a scout before beginning his minor league managerial career in 1987.
Michael Thomas Fiore is an American amateur and professional baseball player. An outfielder, first baseman, third baseman, and designated hitter, he batted from the right side and threw with his right hand.
Christopher J. Robinson is a Canadian former professional baseball catcher. Prior to beginning his professional career, he played college baseball at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign from 2003–2005. He has also competed for the Canada national baseball team in international competition such as the 2011 Pan American Games, the 2009 Baseball World Cup and the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
John Logan Forsythe is an American professional baseball infielder who is currently a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers and Miami Marlins. While primarily a second baseman, Forsythe has played at least one game at every position except for center field and catcher.
Christian Darcy Bisson is a Canadian professional baseball second baseman in minor league baseball organization of the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball. Prior to beginning his professional career, he played college baseball at the University of Kentucky. Bisson has also competed for the Canadian national baseball team.
Timothy James Smith is a Canadian former professional baseball outfielder. Prior to beginning his professional career, he played college baseball at Arizona State University. Smith has also competed for the Canadian national baseball team.
James Robert Romak is a Canadian professional baseball player for the SSG Landers of the KBO League. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers. Romak has also competed for the Canadian national baseball team.
Andrew James Garcia is an American professional baseball second baseman. Prior to beginning his professional career, he played college baseball at the University of California, Riverside. Garcia has also competed for the United States national baseball team.
Christopher R. Kissock is a Canadian former professional baseball pitcher who was in the minor league baseball organization of the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball, but is currently retired from the Winnipeg Goldeyes after being released by the Phillies on August 3, 2012. Kissock has also competed for the Canadian national baseball team.
Mark R. Hardy is a Canadian former professional baseball pitcher. Prior to beginning his professional career, he played college baseball at the University of British Columbia. Hardy has also competed for the Canadian national baseball team.
Jay Robert Johnson is a Canadian professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. Prior to beginning his professional career, he played college baseball at Texas Tech University. He has also competed for the Canadian national baseball team.
Joshua-Douglas James Naylor is a Canadian professional baseball first baseman and outfielder for the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the San Diego Padres. Naylor was the 12th overall selection in the 2015 MLB draft, and he made his MLB debut for the Padres in 2019. He was traded to Cleveland during the 2020 season.
Kevin Richard Kopps is an American professional baseball pitcher in the San Diego Padres organization. He previously played college baseball for the Arkansas Razorbacks of the University of Arkansas, competing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). In 2021, he won the Golden Spikes Award, the Dick Howser Trophy, National Pitcher of the Year Award, and Stopper of the Year Award.
