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Kane County Cougars

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Kane County Cougars
Team logo Cap insignia
Information
LeagueAmerican Association of Professional Baseball (2021–present) (East Division)
LocationGeneva, Illinois
BallparkNorthwestern Medicine Field (1991–present)
Founded1991
Nickname(s)Kane County Cougars (1991–present)
League championships3
  • 2001
  • 2014
  • 2024
Division championships6
  • 2001
  • 2004
  • 2006
  • 2014
  • 2019
  • 2024
Former league(s)Midwest League (1991–2020)
ColorsNavy blue, tan, bright green
     
OwnershipREV Entertainment
General managerCurtis Haug
ManagerGeorge Tsamis
Kane County Cougars, playing the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Fox Cities Stadium on June 9, 2006
Kane County Cougars (white), playing the Kansas City Monarchs (red) at Northwestern Medicine Field on August 6, 2022

The Kane County Cougars are a professional baseball team located in Geneva, Illinois, and are members of the American Association of Professional Baseball, an official Partner League of Major League Baseball (MLB).[1] They play their home games at Northwestern Medicine Field. From 1991 to 2020, they were members of Minor League Baseball's Midwest League.

History

[edit]

The Midwest League came to Kane County in 1991 when the Wausau Timbers relocated to Geneva, IL. The Wausau (1975–1990) Midwest League franchise was previously based in Decatur, Illinois (1952–1974).[2] The team has been known as the Cougars since moving to Kane County. They were affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles in 1991 and 1992, with the Florida Marlins from 1993 to 2002, the Oakland Athletics from 2003 until 2010, the Kansas City Royals for the 2011 and 2012 seasons, and the Chicago Cubs for the 2013 and 2014 seasons before affiliating with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2015.[3]

As a Marlins farm team, some key contributors to the 2003 World Series championship team played in Kane County on their way to the big leagues. Miguel Cabrera has had a notable career and 2003 Series MVP Josh Beckett played for the Cougars in 2000, while Dontrelle Willis had the league's best winning percentage and earned run average in 2002.

The Cougars play their home games at Northwestern Medicine Field,[4] built in 1991. The franchise attendance record of 523,222 was set in 2001. The Cougars are perennially among the league leaders in attendance. On July 20, 2013, the Cougars became the first Class A team to attract 10 million fans.[5] Nancy Faust, after 40 years with the Chicago White Sox, was the stadium organist for selected Cougar home games until her retirement after the 2015 season.

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cougars' season was cancelled along with the rest of Minor League Baseball.[6] Later that year, the team was cut from the Midwest League and affiliated baseball as part of Major League Baseball's reorganization of the minor leagues.[7] The team considered becoming a member of the MLB Draft League before joining the American Association, an independent MLB Partner League.[8][9][10]

The team has led the American Association in attendance since joining in 2021,[11][12][13] and led all MLB Partner Leagues in 2022.[14] Following their 2024 American Association championship, the team was invited to participate in the 2025 Baseball Champions League Americas tournament.[15][16]

In March 2025 a sale of the team to REV Entertainment was announced.[17]

American Association season-by-season record

[edit]
Kane County Cougars
Season League Division Overall Win % Finish Manager Playoffs
2021 AA North 44–55 .444 5th George Tsamis Did not qualify
2022 AA East 54–46 .540 2nd George Tsamis Lost East Division series (Cleburne) 1–2
2023 AA East 49–51 .490 3rd George Tsamis Lost East Division series (Milwaukee) 1–2
2024 AA East 55–45 .550 2nd George Tsamis Won East Division series (Lake Country) 2–0
Won East Division championship series (Chicago) 2–0
Won Wolff Cup Finals (Winnipeg) 3–0
Totals 202–197 .506 — — 9–4 (.692)

Playoffs

[edit]
Kane County Cougars of the Midwest League
Season Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
1991 - L, 2–0, Madison -
1992 - - -
1993 - - -
1994 - - -
1995 L, 2–1, West Michigan - -
1996 - - -
1997 W, 2–0, Wisconsin W, 2–0, Cedar Rapids L, 3–2, Lansing
1998 - - -
1999 W, 2–1, Quad Cities L, 2–0, Burlington -
2000 L, 2–1, Wisconsin - -
2001 W, 2–0, Beloit W, 2–0, Wisconsin W, 1–0, South Bend
2002 - - -
2003 L, 2–1, Clinton - -
2004 W, 2–1, Peoria W, 2–0, Clinton L, 3–2, West Michigan
2005 - - -
2006 W, 2–1, Quad Cities W, 2–0, Beloit L, 3–1, West Michigan
2007 - - -
2008 L, 2–0, Burlington - -
2009 L, 2–0, Burlington - -
2010 W, 2–1, Quad Cities L, 2–1, Clinton -
2011 W, 2–1, Burlington L, 2–0, Quad Cities -
2012 L, 2–0, Fort Wayne - -
2013 - - -
2014 W, 2–0, Wisconsin W, 2–0, Cedar Rapids W, 3–0, Lake County
2015 L, 2–0, Peoria - -
2016 - - -
2017 L, 2–0, Cedar Rapids - -
2018 - - -
2019 L, 2–0, Clinton - -
Kane County Cougars of the American Association of Professional Baseball
2021 - - -
2022 L, 2–1 Cleburne - -
2023 L, 2–1 Milwaukee - -
2024 W, 2–0 Lake Country W, 2–0 Chicago W, 3–0 Winnipeg

Mascots

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The team's mascots are Ozzie T. Cougar and his sister Annie T. Cougar.[18][19]

Roster

[edit]
Kane County Cougars roster
Active roster Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • -- Konnor Ash
  • 11 Tyler Beardsley
  • 29 Daniel Bies
  • 13 Jake Gozzo
  • -- Quinn Gudaitis
  • 15 Jordan Martinson
  • -- Chris Mazza
  • 18 Westin Muir
  • 30 Logan Nissen
  • 21 Tommy Sommer
  • 80 Jake Stevenson
  • 49 Vin Timpanelli



  

Catchers

Infielders

  •  7 Josh Allen
  •  1 Galli Cribbs Jr.
  •  4 Claudio Finol
  •  9 Todd Lott

Outfielders

  •  5 Trendon Craig
  • -- Thomas Jones
  •  8 Armond Upshaw
  

Manager

Coaches

Disabled list
‡ Inactive list
§ Suspended list

Roster updated April 24, 2025
 Transactions

Notable alumni

[edit]

Notable franchise alumni include:[20]

Name Years played for Cougars Year of MLB debut Notable Accomplishments
Hayden Dunhurst 2024–present
Greg Mahle 2024 2016
Héctor Sánchez 2023 2011 2012 World Series Champion
James Reeves
T.J. Bennett
Pete Kozma 2011 2011 World Series Champion
Cornelius Randolph 2022–24 10th overall pick of the 2015 MLB Draft, 2024 Miles Wolff Cup MVP
Mitch Nay 2022
Nick Franklin 2013
Mike Morin 2014
Steve Lombardozzi Jr. 2011
Sherman Johnson 2018
Jack Anderson
Bryce Brentz 2014
Ryan Tapani
Vance Worley 2021–22 2010
Josh Tols 2021
Kacy Clemens
Jake Cosart
Anfernee Seymour
Blaze Alexander 2019 2024
Levi Kelly
Luis Frías 2021
Kristian Robinson
Dominic Fletcher 2023
Buddy Kennedy 2022
José Cuas 2022
Alek Thomas 2022 2019 Midwest League MVP
Geraldo Perdomo 2021
José Caballero 2018 2023
Jhoan Durán 2022
Matt Peacock 2021
José Herrera 2017–19 2022
Jazz Chisholm Jr. 2017–18 2020
Carlos Bustamante
Tommy Eveld 2017
J. J. Hoover 2012
Connor Grey pitched perfect game against Clinton LumberKings Sep. 1
Ben DeLuzio 2022
Anfernee Grier
Riley Smith 2020
Colin Poche 2019
Kevin Ginkel 2019
Jon Duplantier 2019
Luis Alejandro Basabe 2016–18
Marcus Wilson 2016–17 2022
Sam McWilliams
Junior García
Gabe Speier 2016 2019
Yuhei Nakaushiro
Taylor Clarke 2019
Joel Payamps 2019
Alex Young 2019
Gabriel Moya 2017
Touki Toussaint 2015 2018
Wei-Chieh Huang 2015; 2017 2019
Sergio Alcántara 2015–16 2020
Ryan Burr 2018
Steve Hathaway 2015 2016
Oscar Hernández 2015 Called-up to the Diamondbacks less than one month after being promoted to the Cougars
Dawel Lugo 2018
Josh Taylor 2019
Ildemaro Vargas 2017
Michael Pérez 2018
Zac Curtis 2016 Set team record for most saves in a season (2015) at 33[21]
Víctor Reyes 2018
Brad Keller 2018
Steven Hathaway 2016
Kyuji Fujikawa 2014 2013
Ryan Sweeney 2006
Jasvir Rakkar
Duane Underwood Jr. 2018
Jen-Ho Tseng 2017
Jacob Hannemann 2017
Paul Blackburn 2017
Víctor Caratini 2017
Mark Zagunis 2017
Zack Godley 2015
Kyle Schwarber 2015 MLB All-Star, 2016 World Series Champion
Gerardo Concepción 2016
David Bote 2013–14 2018
Pierce Johnson 2017
Jeimer Candelario 2016
Luis Valbuena 2013 2008
Trevor Gretzky
Shawn Camp 2004
Rafael Dolis 2011
Lendy Castillo 2012
Armando Rivero
Tayler Scott 2019
Dillon Maples 2017
Daniel Vogelbach 2016 MLB All-Star
Rob Zastryzny 2016
Félix Peña 2016
Willson Contreras 2016 2× MLB All-Star, 2016 World Series Champion
Albert Almora 2016 2016 World Series Champion
Marco Hernández 2016
Andrew McKirahan 2015
Scott Baker 2005
Jack López 2012 2021
Kyle Zimmer 2019
Brooks Pounders 2016 2014 No-Hitter
Jorge Bonifacio 2017
Andrew Triggs 2016
Tim Melville 2016
Scott Alexander 2015
Aaron Brooks 2014
Lane Adams 2011–12 2014
Orlando Calixte 2015
Fernando Cruz 2011 2022
Ryan Jenkins
Jason Adam 2018
Juan Graterol 2016
Yordano Ventura 2013 2015 World Series Champion
Brett Eibner 2016
Cheslor Cuthbert 2015
Sugar Ray Marimon 2015
Justin Marks 2010 2014
Bo Schultz 2014
Michael Choice 2013
Max Stassi 2013
Ian Krol 2013
Daniel Straily 2012
Murphy Smith 2009–2010 2018
Shawn Haviland 2009
Pedro Figueroa 2012
Grant Desme
Dusty Coleman 2015
Tyler Ladendorf 2015
Mickey Storey 2012
Pedro Figuero 2012
Scott Mitchinson 2008
Tyson Ross 2010 MLB All-Star
Corey Brown 2011
Jemile Weeks 2011
Travis Banwart 2007
Trevor Cahill 2009 MLB All-Star, 2016 World Series Champion
Sean Doolittle 2012 2× MLB All-Star, 2019 World Series Champion
Andrew Bailey 2009 2× MLB All-Star, 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Andrew Carignan 2011
Sam Demel 2010
Henry Rodríguez 2009
Joey Newby 2006–07
Vin Mazzaro 2006 2009
Ben Jukich
Jeff Gray 2008
Anthony Recker 2011
Justin Sellers 2011
Brad Kilby 2009
Jeff Baisley 2008 2006 Midwest League MVP, holds team record of 110 RBI in a season (2006)[21]
Cliff Pennington 2005 2008
Ryan Webb 2009
Tommy Everidge 2009
Gregorio Petit 2008
Kevin Melillo 2007
Connor Robertson 2007
Travis Buck 2007
Chris Lubanski 2004
Dallas Braden 2007 Perfect game in 2010
Huston Street 2005 2× MLB All-Star, 2005 AL Rookie of the Year
Danny Putnam 2007
Jason Windsor 2006
Marcus McBeth 2003; 2005 2007
Santiago Casilla 2003–04 2004
Dustin Majewski 2003
John Baker 2008
Joe Blanton 2004 2008 World Series Champion
Nelson Cruz 2005 7× MLB All-Star, 2019 All-MLB First Team, 2020 All-MLB Second Team, 2011 ALCS MVP, 2× Silver Slugger, 2× Edgar Martínez Award, 2014 MLB Home Run Leader, 2017 AL RBI Leader, 2020 Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award, 2013 All-World Baseball Classic Team
Andre Ethier 2006 2× MLB All-Star, 2011 Gold Glove, 2009 Silver Slugger
Bill Murphy 2007
Jared Burton 2007
Shane Komine 2006
Frailyn Florián 2002
Dontrelle Willis 2003 2× MLB All-Star, 2003 World Series Champion, 2003 NL Rookie of the Year, 2005 NL Wins Leader
Jason Stokes 2002 Midwest League MVP, tied for team record with 27 home runs in a season (2002), team record of .341 batting average in a season (2002)[21]
Ronald Belisario 2009
Jeff Fulchino 2006
Eric Reed 2006
Jim Kavourias 2001
Miguel Cabrera 2003 11× MLB All-Star, 2003 World Series Champion, 2× AL MVP, 2012 Triple Crown, 7× Silver Slugger, 2× AL Hank Aaron Award, 4× AL Batting Champion, 2× AL Home Run Leader, 2× AL RBI Leader
Adrián González 2004 2001 Midwest League MVP, 5× MLB All-Star, 4× Gold Glove, 2× Silver Slugger, 2014 NL RBI Leader
Josh Willingham 2004 2012 Silver Slugger
Randy Messenger 2005
Denny Bautista 2004
Hansel Izquierdo 2002
Vladimir Núñez 1998
Chip Ambres 2000–01 2005
Kevin Hooper 2005
Josh Wilson 2005
Josh Beckett 2000 2001 3× MLB All-Star, 2× World Series Champion (2003 & 2007), 2003 World Series MVP, 2007 ALCS MVP, 2007 MLB Wins Leader
Luis Ugueto 2002
Matt Treanor 1999; 2001 2004
Nate Robertson 1999–2000 2002
Claudio Vargas 1999 2003
Jeff Bailey 2007
Chris Aguila 2004
Kevin Olsen 2001
Blaine Neal 2001
Brett Roneberg 1998–99
A. J. Burnett 1998 1999 MLB All-Star, 2009 World Series Champion, 2008 AL Strikeout Leader, 2001 No-Hitter, holds team record for most strikeouts in a season (1998) at 186[21]
Brandon Harper 2006
Matt Erickson 2004
Jason Pearson 2002
Ross Gload 2000
Michael Tejera 1999
Gary Knotts 1997–98 2001
Héctor Almonte 1999
Geoff Duncan 1997
Scott Podsednik 2001 MLB All-Star, 2005 World Series Champion, 2004 NL Stolen Base Leader
Julio Ramírez 1999
Brent Billingsley 1999
Earl Agnoly 1996–97
Roosevelt Brown 1999
Ryan Dempster 1996 1998 2× MLB All-Star, 2013 World Series Champion
Álex González 1998 MLB All-Star, 2003 World Series Champion
Mark Kotsay 1997
Randy Winn 1998 MLB All-Star
Nate Rolison 2000
Mike Duvall 1998
Josh Booty 1995–96 1996
Amaury García 1999
Luis Castillo 1995 1996 3× MLB All-Star, 2003 World Series Champion, 3× Gold Glove, 2× NL Stolen Base Leader
Ryan Jackson 1998
Brian Meadows 1998
John Roskos 1998
Gabe González 1998
Todd Dunwoody 1994–95 1997
Brendan Kingman 1994
Antonio Alfonseca 1997 1997 World Series Champion, 2000 NL Rolaids Relief Man Award, 2000 NL Saves Leader
Félix Heredia 1996 1997 World Series Champion
Kevin Millar 1998 2004 World Series Champion
Bryan Ward 1998
David Berg 1998
Will Cunnane 1997 Holds team record of lowest ERA in a season (1994) at 1.43[21]
Andy Larkin 1996
Billy McMillon 1996
Ralph Milliard 1996
Marc Valdes 1995
Mike Redmond 1993–94 1998 2003 World Series Champion
John Lynch 1993
Héctor Carrasco 1994
Charles Johnson 1994 2× MLB All-Star, 1997 World Series Champion, 4× Gold Glove
Édgar Rentería 1996 5× MLB All-Star, 2× World Series Champion, 2010 World Series MVP, 2× Gold Glove, 3× Silver Slugger
Chris Clapinski 1999
Vic Darensbourg 1998
Matt Whisenant 1997
Anthony Saunders 1997
Alex Ochoa 1992 1995 2002 World Series Champion
B. J. Waszgis 2000
Jimmy Haynes 1995
Rick Krivda 1995
Curtis Goodwin 1995
Scott Klingenbeck 1994
José Mercedes 1994
Scott McClain 1991–92 1998
Bobby Chouinard 1996
Clayton Byrne 1991
Joe Borowski 1995 2007 AL Saves Leader
Tom Martin 1997
Brad Pennington 1993 First Kane County Cougars player to be called-up to the MLB
Gregg Zaun 1995 1997 World Series Champion
Jim Dedrick 1995
Vaughn Eshelman 1995

Also see Category: Kane County Cougars players.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Reichard, Kevin (September 24, 2020). "American Association, Frontier League now MLB Partner Leagues". Ballpark Digest. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  2. ^ "Register Team Encyclopedia". Archived from the original on April 3, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  3. ^ "Cougars History". MiLB.com. Archived from the original on November 17, 2019.
  4. ^ "Kane County Cougars". Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  5. ^ "Cougars hits attendance milestone - Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune. July 22, 2013. Archived from the original on July 23, 2013.
  6. ^ Kane County Cougars. "Cougars' 2020 Season Canceled". KCCougars. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  7. ^ "Kane County Cougars Not Invited to Remain MiLB Affiliate, Aim to Join MLB Partner League". NBC Chicago. December 9, 2020. Archived from the original on May 20, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  8. ^ Gregor, Scot (December 9, 2020). "Some major changes are coming for the Kane County Cougars. Here's what they are". Daily Herald. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  9. ^ "AMERICAN ASSOCIATION WELCOMES KANE COUNTY COUGARS AS NEW LEAGUE MEMBER". American Association of Professional Baseball (Press release). February 4, 2021. Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  10. ^ Johnson, Paul (December 9, 2020). "Kane County Cougars lose their MLB affiliation". Chicago Tribune. Aurora Beacon-News. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  11. ^ "American Association - 2023 Attendance". Pointstreak Sports Technologies. Retrieved August 18, 2023.[permanent dead link]
  12. ^ "American Association - 2022 Attendance". Pointstreak Sports Technologies. Retrieved August 18, 2023.[permanent dead link]
  13. ^ "American Association - 2021 Attendance". Pointstreak Sports Technologies. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  14. ^ Reichard, Kevin (September 20, 2022). "2022 MLB Partner League attendance by league - Ballpark Digest". Archived from the original on August 18, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  15. ^ "Groups and daily schedule announced for Baseball Champions League America 2025 in Mexico City". World Baseball Softball Confederation. January 15, 2025.
  16. ^ Krieger, Dan (December 30, 2024). "Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report". OurSportsCentral.
  17. ^ Froehlich, Bob (March 17, 2025). "A Message from Our Chairman, CEO, President and Owner, Dr. Bob Froehlich". OurSportsCentral.
  18. ^ "New-Look Ozzie T. Cougar – 'Coolest Cougar' in Kane County?". Kane County Connects. February 18, 2016. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  19. ^ "Annie T. Cougar Is Baseball Team's Newest Mascot". Suburban Chronicle. June 2, 2016. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  20. ^ "Cougars in the MLB". Kane County Cougars. Archived from the original on August 18, 2023. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  21. ^ a b c d e "Records & Awards". Kane County Cougars. Archived from the original on August 18, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
[edit]
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