Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Remember Danny Almonte?

It's hard to believe it's been a decade since the Little League World Series / Danny Almonte scandal.  Once again proving a point why when something goes wrong for kids an adult is usually to blame.

Almonte appeared to be destined for Cooperstown, but ultimately never got a shot at the Big Leagues.  In the spring of 2007 he did resurface with the Southern Illinois Miners (albeit briefly) of the independent Frontier League.  Alomnte made half a dozen starts for the Miners in the teams inaugural season posting a 5.28 ERA and 0-1 record.

He was taken advantage of in 2001 and probably by the Miners in 2007.
Southern Illinois gave him a shot at pro baseball. If they caught lightning in a bottle and he panned out on the mound (both benefited), if not then the Miners received free publicity for the new organization.
The got it on a national level.

Sports Illustrated (Almonte mentioned at bottom of the article)

The signing of Almonte proved to be a savvy move.

 "Where is Danny Almonte", or "What ever happened to that  former Little League kid Danny Almonte". Questions I hear often from fans at Miners home games.

USA Today story about the Danny Almonte scandal




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