OK, before you start reading this, let’s test your Major League Baseball and Kane County Cougars knowledge.

1. Within three, how many former Cougars are participating in post-season MLB play? (This includes the wildcard games, in case you’re reading this later.)
2. Who is the first former Cougar to get to the big leagues within a year of his Cougars debut since Huston Street did it in 2005 with Oakland?
3. What two former Cougars are 2015 Major League All-Stars still playing in the postseason? Bonus: What teams do they play for and what positions do they play?
4. What former Cougar made 31 relief appearances this year? What team does he play for?
5. Here’s a toughy: What former Cougars broadcaster is now with the Mets radio broadcast team?

Now, for the answers (be sure to read all the way to the bottom) …

With the 2015 Major League Baseball postseason officially under way, many Kane County Cougars alumni are aiming for a World Series championship.

After coming up one game short in the 2014 World Series, the Kansas City Royals are back in the postseason for the second straight year. Pitcher Yordano Ventura (’11 Cougar) has been named the starting pitcher for Game 1 of the ALDS. The Royals will face the winner of the Houston Astros/New York Yankees wild card game beginning on Thursday. The Royals regular season roster also included relief pitcher Scott Alexander (’12) and infielder Cheslor Cuthbert (’11). Both Alexander and Cuthbert made their major league debuts this season.

The Toronto Blue Jays are back in the postseason for the first time since winning the World Series in 1993. Pitcher Bo Schultz (’10) made 31 relief appearances this season while infielder Cliff Pennington (’05) split his ’15 season between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Blue Jays. Toronto will face Texas in the ALDS beginning on Thursday.

The National League Wild Card matchup between the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday could involve multiple Cougars alumni. Rookie phenom Kyle Schwarber (’14) became the first Cougar to make his Major League debut within one year of playing at Kane County since Huston Street (’04) in 2005 with Oakland. The Cubs bullpen includes righty Trevor Cahill (’07). Pittsburgh’s roster includes 2015 Major League All-Star A.J. Burnett (’98), the last remaining active Cougar who played with Kane County during the ’90s decade, as well as reliever Joe Blanton (’03).

The Los Angeles Dodgers roster includes infielder and 2015 Major League All-Star Adrian Gonzalez (’01) as well as outfielder Andre Ethier (’03). The Dodgers will oppose the New York Mets in the NLDS beginning on Friday. The Mets regular season roster included catcher Anthony Recker (’06). Broadcaster Wayne Randazzo, who was with Kane County in 2012-2014, is part of the Mets radio broadcast team.

Since the Cougars’ inception in 1991, more than 130 former players have reached the Major Leagues, several of which have won accolades in the postseason including World Series MVP’s Josh Beckett (’00) in 2003 with Florida and Edgar Renteria (’93) with San Francisco in 2010. Past league championship series MVP’s include Beckett in 2007 with Boston, along with Nelson Cruz (’03) with Texas in 2011. The Cougars are the Class-A Major League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Answers

1. 13
2. Kyle Schwarber
3. A.J. Burnett (Pirates pitcher) and Adrian Gonzalez (Dodgers infielder)
4. Bo Schultz
5. Wayne Randazzo

SOURCE: Kane County Cougars press release