Eight Major Leaguers Who Hail from Chicago's South Suburbs
An IBWAA writer examines the top players from the Chicago metro area
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Pregame Pepper
Did you know…
. . . Illinois has 13 Major League Baseball Hall of Fame players who were born in the state. The one with the highest career bWAR was Rickey Henderson, who was born in Chicago in 1958 but grew up in the Oakland area, graduating from Oakland Technical High School before the Athletics drafted him in the fourth round in 1976.
. . . Another elite player born in Illinois who moved in his childhood before having a strong MLB career. Bret Saberhagen was born in Chicago Heights, but he grew up in Reseda, California. He finished his MLB career with 58.9 bWAR.
Leading Off
Eight MLB Players Hailing from Chicago’s South Suburbs
By Paul M. Banks
This year's College World Series consisted of teams from only the SEC and ACC. An overwhelming majority of the players on those rosters hailed from the Southern states. For the most part, top baseball talent in this country first emerges from the warm weather states. However, the south suburbs of Chicago has produced a multitude of Major Leaguers. Here are eight who started in the Chicago southlands and made it to the show.
Cliff Floyd, South Holland, IL, Thornwood H.S. Class of 1991
After leading Thornwood to the state championship, Floyd was drafted straight out of high school by the Montreal Expos as the 14th overall pick in the 1991 MLB Draft. He made his major league debut in 1993, and played until 2009, with a total of seven teams, including one short stint with the Cubs. He finished his career with 233 home runs and a .278 batting average.
He played in the 1997 World Series and the 2001 All-Star Game.
Rob Mackowiak, Oak Lawn, IL, South Suburban College in South Holland, IL Class of 1995
Played for the local Chicago White Sox from 2006-07. The career utility player compiled a 5.6 WAR while also playing for the San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals.
Ron Coomer, Crest Hill, IL, Lockport H.S. Class of 1984
The "Coom Dawg," who now serves as a color analyst and play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Cubs, played close to 1,000 games in the MLB, making the All-Star game in 1999.
T.J. McFarland, Palos Park, IL, A.A. Stagg H.S. Class of 2007
Have to include at least one player from my hometown and alma mater! McFarland was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 4th round of the 2007 draft. He is currently with the Oakland Athletics.
Curtis Granderson, Blue Island, IL, T.F. South Class of 1999
During the 2007 season, Granderson accumulated 23 triples, which led all of baseball. The American League and Detroit Tigers record is 26 triples, a feat achieved by the all-time triples king, Sam Crawford, in 1914. Granderson is the first player since 1949 to manage at least 23 in a single season. The three time All-Star and Silver Slugger also won a Roberto Clemente Award. He is overall considered one of the greater guys in baseball because he has such an amazing record of philanthropy.
The greatest alum in University of Illinois-Chicago baseball history, he gifted the UIC Flames $5 million for a new baseball field in 2013.
Jesse Barfield and the J-town "City of Champions" Mural
The city of Joliet has a mural underneath a train viaduct that features very accomplished athletes from the town. It is located across the street from Duly Health and Care Field, home of the unaffiliated Joliet Slammers. Yes, the ballclub does derive its nickname from the booming local prison industry. The "city of champions" nickname is derived from the historical success of the local high school and grade school marching bands. The depicted athletes:
Barfield won a Silver Slugger and two Golden Glove awards. The 1986 home run champion was inducted into Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame due to his heroics with the Toronto Blue Jays 1981-1989. He is joined on the mural by:
-George Mikan, basketball Hall of Famer who consistently ranks high on every NBA All-Time Greats list.
-Tom Thayer, member of the legendary '85 Bears and the face of their local civic tourism campaign.
Mark Mulder, South Holland, IL, Thornwood HS. Class of 1995
Led American League in wins in 2001 (21) complete games in 2003 (9) and 2004 (5) shutouts in 2001 (4) and 2003 (2) AL All-Star, 2003 and 2004.
Lou Boudreau, Harvey, IL, Thornton H.S. Class of 1935
Hall of Famer who is the greatest player in Illinois Fighting Illini history. He is arguably the best player in Cleveland Indians/Guardians history as well, as he was the main star player of the last team (1948) to win the World Series.
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
Extra Innings
The top active player born in the Chicago metro area is Danny Jansen, who has 8.94 career bWAR from 2018 to present, played entirely with the Toronto Blue Jays, though Jansen did grow up in Appleton, Wisconsin. The top active player who graduated high school in the Chicago metro area is Mike Tauchman, who is now on his fourth team in the majors, playing with his hometown Cubs.