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Kane County Cougars

American baseball team

Kane County Cougars

Summary

American baseball team

FieldValue
nameKane County Cougars
founded1991
cityGeneva, Illinois
logoKaneCountyCougars.png
uniformlogoKaneCountyCougarscap.png
class levelIndependent (2021–present)
past class levelClass A (1991–2020)
pastmajorleague{{plainlist
colorsNavy, tan, gray, white, bright green, light blue, light peach
leagueAmerican Association of Professional Baseball (2021–present)
divisionEast Division
nicknameKane County Cougars (1991–present)
ballparkNorthwestern Medicine Field (1991–present)
past leagueMidwest League (1991–2020)
leaguechamps
leaguenum4
divisionchamps
divnum7
ownerREV Entertainment
gmCurtis Haug
managerGeorge Tsamis
website
  • Arizona Diamondbacks (2015–2020)
  • Chicago Cubs (2013–2014)
  • Kansas City Royals (2011–2012)
  • Oakland Athletics (2003–2010)
  • Florida Marlins (1993–2002)
  • Baltimore Orioles (1991–1992)
Kane County Cougars, playing the [[Wisconsin Timber Rattlers]] at [[Fox Cities Stadium]] on June 9, 2006
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). They play their home games at Northwestern Medicine Field. From 1991 to 2020, they were members of Minor League Baseball's Midwest League.

History

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). 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.

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, 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. 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. 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. The team considered becoming a member of the MLB Draft League before joining the American Association, an independent MLB Partner League.

The team won their first American Association Miles Wolff Cup Final in 2024, having gone undefeated in the playoffs. Following their 2024 championship, the team was invited to participate in the 2025 Baseball Champions League Americas tournament.

In March 2025, the team was sold by Dr. Bob and Cheryl Froehlich to REV Entertainment. In 2025 despite having a record under .500, the Cougars were able to defend their title going back-to-back for the first time in franchise history.

The team has led the American Association in attendance since joining in 2021, and led all MLB Partner Leagues in 2022.

American Association season-by-season record

Kane County CougarsSeasonLeagueDivisionOverallWin %FinishManagerPlayoffsTotals251–248not including 2025
2021AANorth44–555thGeorge TsamisDid not qualify
2022AAEast54–462ndGeorge TsamisLost East Division series (Cleburne) 1–2
2023AAEast49–513rdGeorge TsamisLost East Division series (Milwaukee) 1–2
2024AAEast55–452ndGeorge TsamisWon East Division series (Lake Country) 2–0
Won East Division championship series (Chicago) 2–0
Won Wolff Cup Finals (Winnipeg) 3–0
2025AAEast49-51.4903rdGeorge TsamisWon East Division series (Milwaukee) 2–1
Won East Division championship series (Chicago) 3–2

Playoffs

Kane County Cougars of the Midwest LeagueSeasonQuarterfinalsSemifinalsFinalsKane County Cougars of the American Association of Professional Baseball
1991-L, 2–0, Madison-
1992---
1993---
1994---
1995L, 2–1, West Michigan--
1996---
1997W, 2–0, WisconsinW, 2–0, Cedar RapidsL, 3–2, Lansing
1998---
1999W, 2–1, Quad CitiesL, 2–0, Burlington-
2000L, 2–1, Wisconsin--
2001W, 2–0, BeloitW, 2–0, WisconsinW, 1–0, South Bend
2002---
2003L, 2–1, Clinton--
2004W, 2–1, PeoriaW, 2–0, ClintonL, 3–2, West Michigan
2005---
2006W, 2–1, Quad CitiesW, 2–0, BeloitL, 3–1, West Michigan
2007---
2008L, 2–0, Burlington--
2009L, 2–0, Burlington--
2010W, 2–1, Quad CitiesL, 2–1, Clinton-
2011W, 2–1, BurlingtonL, 2–0, Quad Cities-
2012L, 2–0, Fort Wayne--
2013---
2014W, 2–0, WisconsinW, 2–0, Cedar RapidsW, 3–0, Lake County
2015L, 2–0, Peoria--
2016---
2017L, 2–0, Cedar Rapids--
2018---
2019L, 2–0, Clinton--
2021---
2022L, 2–1 Cleburne--
2023L, 2–1 Milwaukee--
2024W, 2–0 Lake CountryW, 2–0 ChicagoW, 3–0 Winnipeg
2025W, 2–1 MilwaukeeW, 3–2 ChicagoW, 3–2 Sioux Falls

Mascots

The team's mascots are Ozzie T. Cougar and his sister Annie T. Cougar.

Roster

‡ ‡

(trainer) (pitching) (clubhouse manager) (hitting)

Notable alumni

Notable franchise alumni include:

NameYears played for CougarsYear of MLB debutNotable Accomplishments
Casey Crosby2025–present2012
Blake Rutherford2025–present2023
Robby Martin2025–present
Brett Phillips20252017
Chris Mazza2025–present2019
Hayden Dunhurst2024–25
Greg Mahle20242016
Héctor Sánchez202320112012 World Series Champion
James Reeves
T.J. Bennett
Pete Kozma20112011 World Series Champion
Cornelius Randolph2022–2410th overall pick of the 2015 MLB Draft, 2024 Miles Wolff Cup MVP
Mitch Nay2022
Nick Franklin2013
Mike Morin2014
Steve Lombardozzi Jr.2011
Sherman Johnson2018
Jack Anderson
Bryce Brentz2014
Ryan Tapani
Vance Worley2021–222010
Josh Tols2021
Kacy Clemens
Jake Cosart
Anfernee Seymour
Blaze Alexander20192024
Levi Kelly
Luis Frías2021
Kristian Robinson
Dominic Fletcher2023
Buddy Kennedy2022
José Cuas2022
Alek Thomas20222019 Midwest League MVP
Geraldo Perdomo2021
José Caballero20182023
Jhoan Durán2022
Matt Peacock2021
José Herrera2017–192022
Jazz Chisholm Jr.2017–182020
Carlos Bustamante
Tommy Eveld2017
J. J. Hoover2012
Connor Greypitched perfect game against Clinton LumberKings Sep. 1
Ben DeLuzio2022
Anfernee Grier
Riley Smith2020
Colin Poche2019
Kevin Ginkel2019
Jon Duplantier2019
Luis Alejandro Basabe2016–18
Marcus Wilson2016–172022
Sam McWilliams
Junior García
Gabe Speier20162019
Yuhei Nakaushiro
Taylor Clarke2019
Joel Payamps2019
Alex Young2019
Gabriel Moya2017
Touki Toussaint20152018
Wei-Chieh Huang2015; 20172019
Sergio Alcántara2015–162020
Ryan Burr2018
Steve Hathaway20152016
Oscar Hernández2015Called-up to the Diamondbacks less than one month after being promoted to the Cougars
Dawel Lugo2018
Josh Taylor2019
Ildemaro Vargas2017
Michael Pérez2018
Zac Curtis2016title=Records & Awardsurl=https://www.kccougars.com/records-awardsaccess-date=2023-08-18website=Kane County Cougarslanguage=en-USarchive-date=August 18, 2023archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818081910/https://www.kccougars.com/records-awardsurl-status=live }}
Víctor Reyes2018
Brad Keller2018
Steven Hathaway2016
Kyuji Fujikawa20142013
Ryan Sweeney2006
Jasvir Rakkar
Duane Underwood Jr.2018
Jen-Ho Tseng2017
Jacob Hannemann2017
Paul Blackburn2017
Víctor Caratini2017
Mark Zagunis2017
Zack Godley2015
Kyle Schwarber2015MLB All-Star, 2016 World Series Champion
Gerardo Concepción2016
David Bote2013–142018
Pierce Johnson2017
Jeimer Candelario2016
Luis Valbuena20132008
Trevor Gretzky
Shawn Camp2004
Rafael Dolis2011
Lendy Castillo2012
Armando Rivero
Tayler Scott2019
Dillon Maples2017
Daniel Vogelbach2016MLB All-Star
Rob Zastryzny2016
Félix Peña2016
Willson Contreras20162× MLB All-Star, 2016 World Series Champion
Albert Almora20162016 World Series Champion
Marco Hernández2016
Andrew McKirahan2015
Scott Baker2005
Jack López20122021
Kyle Zimmer2019
Brooks Pounders20162014 No-Hitter
Jorge Bonifacio2017
Andrew Triggs2016
Tim Melville2016
Scott Alexander2015
Aaron Brooks2014
Lane Adams2011–122014
Orlando Calixte2015
Fernando Cruz20112022
Ryan Jenkins
Jason Adam2018
Juan Graterol2016
Yordano Ventura20132015 World Series Champion
Brett Eibner2016
Cheslor Cuthbert2015
Sugar Ray Marimon2015
Justin Marks20102014
Bo Schultz2014
Michael Choice2013
Max Stassi2013
Ian Krol2013
Daniel Straily2012
Murphy Smith2009–20102018
Shawn Haviland2009
Pedro Figueroa2012
Grant Desme
Dusty Coleman2015
Tyler Ladendorf2015
Mickey Storey2012
Pedro Figuero2012
Scott Mitchinson2008
Tyson Ross2010MLB All-Star
Corey Brown2011
Jemile Weeks2011
Travis Banwart2007
Trevor Cahill2009MLB All-Star, 2016 World Series Champion
Sean Doolittle20122× MLB All-Star, 2019 World Series Champion
Andrew Bailey20092× MLB All-Star, 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Andrew Carignan2011
Sam Demel2010
Henry Rodríguez2009
Joey Newby2006–07
Vin Mazzaro20062009
Ben Jukich
Jeff Gray2008
Anthony Recker2011
Justin Sellers2011
Brad Kilby2009
Jeff Baisley20082006 Midwest League MVP, holds team record of 110 RBI in a season (2006)
Cliff Pennington20052008
Ryan Webb2009
Tommy Everidge2009
Gregorio Petit2008
Kevin Melillo2007
Connor Robertson2007
Travis Buck2007
Chris Lubanski2004
Dallas Braden2007Perfect game in 2010
Huston Street20052× MLB All-Star, 2005 AL Rookie of the Year
Danny Putnam2007
Jason Windsor2006
Marcus McBeth2003; 20052007
Santiago Casilla2003–042004
Dustin Majewski2003
John Baker2008
Joe Blanton20042008 World Series Champion
Nelson Cruz20057× 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 Ethier20062× MLB All-Star, 2011 Gold Glove, 2009 Silver Slugger
Bill Murphy2007
Jared Burton2007
Shane Komine2006
Frailyn Florián2002
Dontrelle Willis20032× MLB All-Star, 2003 World Series Champion, 2003 NL Rookie of the Year, 2005 NL Wins Leader
Jason Stokes2002 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)
Ronald Belisario2009
Jeff Fulchino2006
Eric Reed2006
Jim Kavourias2001
Miguel Cabrera200311× 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 González20042001 Midwest League MVP, 5× MLB All-Star, 4× Gold Glove, 2× Silver Slugger, 2014 NL RBI Leader
Josh Willingham20042012 Silver Slugger
Randy Messenger2005
Denny Bautista2004
Hansel Izquierdo2002
Vladimir Núñez1998
Chip Ambres2000–012005
Kevin Hooper2005
Josh Wilson2005
Josh Beckett200020013× MLB All-Star, 2× World Series Champion (2003 & 2007), 2003 World Series MVP, 2007 ALCS MVP, 2007 MLB Wins Leader
Luis Ugueto2002
Matt Treanor1999; 20012004
Nate Robertson1999–20002002
Claudio Vargas19992003
Jeff Bailey2007
Chris Aguila2004
Kevin Olsen2001
Blaine Neal2001
Brett Roneberg1998–99
A. J. Burnett19981999MLB 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
Brandon Harper2006
Matt Erickson2004
Jason Pearson2002
Ross Gload2000
Michael Tejera1999
Gary Knotts1997–982001
Héctor Almonte1999
Geoff Duncan1997
Scott Podsednik2001MLB All-Star, 2005 World Series Champion, 2004 NL Stolen Base Leader
Julio Ramírez1999
Brent Billingsley1999
Earl Agnoly1996–97
Roosevelt Brown1999
Ryan Dempster199619982× MLB All-Star, 2013 World Series Champion
Álex González1998MLB All-Star, 2003 World Series Champion
Mark Kotsay1997
Randy Winn1998MLB All-Star
Nate Rolison2000
Mike Duvall1998
Josh Booty1995–961996
Amaury García1999
Luis Castillo199519963× MLB All-Star, 2003 World Series Champion, 3× Gold Glove, 2× NL Stolen Base Leader
Ryan Jackson1998
Brian Meadows1998
John Roskos1998
Gabe González1998
Todd Dunwoody1994–951997
Brendan Kingman1994
Antonio Alfonseca19971997 World Series Champion, 2000 NL Rolaids Relief Man Award, 2000 NL Saves Leader
Félix Heredia19961997 World Series Champion
Kevin Millar19982004 World Series Champion
Bryan Ward1998
David Berg1998
Will Cunnane1997Holds team record of lowest ERA in a season (1994) at 1.43
Andy Larkin1996
Billy McMillon1996
Ralph Milliard1996
Marc Valdes1995
Mike Redmond1993–9419982003 World Series Champion
John Lynch1993
Héctor Carrasco1994
Charles Johnson19942× MLB All-Star, 1997 World Series Champion, 4× Gold Glove
Édgar Rentería19965× MLB All-Star, 2× World Series Champion, 2010 World Series MVP, 2× Gold Glove, 3× Silver Slugger
Chris Clapinski1999
Vic Darensbourg1998
Matt Whisenant1997
Anthony Saunders1997
Alex Ochoa199219952002 World Series Champion
B. J. Waszgis2000
Jimmy Haynes1995
Rick Krivda1995
Curtis Goodwin1995
Scott Klingenbeck1994
José Mercedes1994
Scott McClain1991–921998
Bobby Chouinard1996
Clayton Byrne1991
Joe Borowski19952007 AL Saves Leader
Tom Martin1997
Brad Pennington1993First Kane County Cougars player to be called-up to the MLB
Gregg Zaun19951997 World Series Champion
Jim Dedrick1995
Vaughn Eshelman1995

Also see :Category: Kane County Cougars players.

References

References

  1. "American Association of Independent Professional Baseball Official Colors (2006-present)".
  2. Reichard, Kevin. (2020-09-24). "American Association, Frontier League now MLB Partner Leagues".
  3. "Register Team Encyclopedia".
  4. "Cougars History".
  5. "Kane County Cougars".
  6. (July 22, 2013). "Cougars hits attendance milestone - Chicago Tribune".
  7. "Cougars' 2020 Season Canceled".
  8. (9 December 2020). "Kane County Cougars Not Invited to Remain MiLB Affiliate, Aim to Join MLB Partner League". NBC Chicago.
  9. (9 December 2020). "Some major changes are coming for the Kane County Cougars. Here's what they are.". Daily Herald.
  10. (4 February 2021). "AMERICAN ASSOCIATION WELCOMES KANE COUNTY COUGARS AS NEW LEAGUE MEMBER". American Association of Professional Baseball.
  11. (9 December 2020). "Kane County Cougars lose their MLB affiliation". Chicago Tribune.
  12. Kranz, Jake. (2024-09-23). "American Association - The Kane County Cougars are your 2024 Wolff Cup Champions".
  13. (January 15, 2025). "Groups and daily schedule announced for Baseball Champions League America 2025 in Mexico City". World Baseball Softball Confederation.
  14. Krieger, Dan. (December 30, 2024). "Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report".
  15. Froehlich, Bob. (March 17, 2025). "A Message from Our Chairman, CEO, President and Owner, Dr. Bob Froehlich".
  16. (March 2025). "American Association - 2023 Attendance".
  17. (March 2025). "American Association - 2022 Attendance".
  18. "American Association - 2021 Attendance".
  19. "American Association - 2024 Attendance".
  20. "American Association - 2025 Attendance".
  21. Reichard, Kevin. (2022-09-20). "2022 MLB Partner League attendance by league - Ballpark Digest".
  22. (February 18, 2016). "New-Look Ozzie T. Cougar – 'Coolest Cougar' in Kane County?".
  23. (June 2, 2016). "Annie T. Cougar Is Baseball Team's Newest Mascot". Suburban Chronicle.
  24. "Cougars in the MLB".
  25. "Records & Awards".
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