That so many Chicago-area spring athletes have become accomplished practitioners in their chosen sports is remarkable, given the ghastly March and April weather through which they suffer, spring after spring after depressing spring.
One of those athletes is Mark Mulder. Before he became a big winner in the major leagues, he was a pitcher-first baseman for Thornwood baseball teams that reached the sectional finals his junior year and the state semifinals his senior season.
He remembers it well–and he remembers the howling winds and the chilling drizzle.
“We had some really good teams at Thornwood,” he said recently at the St. Louis Cardinals’ training camp in Jupiter, Fla. “It was a lot of fun, but high school seasons were tough, with all the work indoors and all of the cold weather.
“We would work out on the basketball court, getting ground balls on the wood floor. That’s not really the ideal surface for ground balls, but you didn’t really have a choice.”
Mulder’s is a typical complaint, and yet the list of baseball players who have survived Chicago’s springs and achieved major success in the major leagues is a lengthy one.
The same goes for track and field athletes and for softball, tennis and girls soccer players.
On these pages, we pay homage to a half-century of Chicago-area spring sports athletes–25 of them–who have gone on to make names for themselves in college, the pros and Olympics. (The Illinois High School Association’s spring sports are baseball, softball, track and field, boys gymnastics, boys tennis, girls soccer, boys volleyball, badminton, and boys and girls water polo.)
A couple of notes: This is a group that takes in high school classes since and including 1955. So you won’t see the names of Ralph Metcalfe (a Tilden alum), Lou Boudreau (Thornton), Phil Cavarretta (Lane), Ted Kluszewski (Argo), Bill Skowron (Weber) and other pre-1955 grads.
And, to cut the “team” to 25, some deserving athletes had to be left off, such as baseball’s John Castino (New Trier East), Charlie Leibrandt (Loyola), Mike Marshall (Buffalo Grove), Doug Rader (Glenbrook North) and Jim O’Toole, a 1955 Leo graduate and later a big winner with Cincinnati. He didn’t qualify because he didn’t pitch high school ball. Leo didn’t have a baseball team until the ’60s.
Others considered but just missing out: track and field’s Sunder Nix (Phillips) and Brian Oldfield (Elgin) plus two females who qualified for the 2004 Olympic team and will be heard from in the future–sprinter Consuella Moore (South Shore) and pole vaulter Jillian Schwartz (Lake Forest).
Also just missing the cut was Michelle Venturella (Homewood-Flossmoor), two-time Tribune softball All-Stater, an alternate on the 1996 Olympic team and a backup catcher on the 2000 team that beat Japan for the gold medal.
And now, a word to the water polo crowd: Because the sport is so new to state competition, water polo is not represented on this team. That likely will not be the case 20 years from now.
Finally, congratulations to gymnasts and volleyball and badminton players for having the wisdom to select a spring sport that does not require them to perform outdoors.
BASEBALL
Jesse Barfield, Joliet Central
Class of 1977
Ninth-round draft choice out of high school played 10 full seasons in the majors, mostly with Toronto. American League home run champion in 1986 with 40. Right fielder had 22 assists in 1985, when he hit .280 in his only postseason series. Had 20 assists in 1986 and ’89. Two-time Gold Glove winner, one-time All-Star. Hit 25 or more homers five times.
Jim Bouton, Bloom
Class of 1957
Was the No. 2 pitcher on his high school team–behind basketball’s Jerry Colangelo. Broke in with the Yankees in 1962 and went 21-7 with a 2.53 earned-run average and six shutouts in 1963. After an 18-win regular season in ’64, was 2-0 against St. Louis in the World Series. In those two World Series, he was 2-1 with a 1.48 ERA. All-Star in 1963. Arm trouble hampered pitching career but not writing career: “Ball Four” remains a classic in sports literature.
Brett Butler, Libertyville
Class of 1975
Didn’t become a regular in high school until the state playoffs, and then was a 23rd-round draft pick out of little-known Southeastern Oklahoma State. Yet he played 15 full seasons in the big leagues and was an ideal leadoff man. Posted a .290 career average and topped .300 five times. Topped 40 steals five times and .390 on-base percentage six. Led league in triples four years. One-time All-Star.
Cliff Floyd, Thornwood
Class of 1991
As a high school junior hit 13 homers with 61 RBIs and followed with .557 average, nine homers and 68 RBIs in 38 games in leading his team to the state title in ’91. Was the 14th player taken in that June’s draft. Plagued by injuries, he has had 400-plus at-bats in only four of his 11 big-league seasons: 22 homers, 90 RBIs, .282 in ’98 (with 27 steals); 22, 91, .300 in 2000 (with 24 steals); 31, 103, .317 in ’01; and 28, 79, .288 in ’02. All-Star once.
Bill Gullickson, Joliet Catholic
Class of 1977
Second player selected in 1977 draft (behind White Sox’s Harold Baines and ahead of the Brewers’ Paul Molitor). Pitched 13 full seasons in majors, won 20 games in ’91, was 17-game winner in ’83 and 15-game winner in ’86. Had 162-136 career record and was under 4.00 in ERA nine seasons. In two playoff series in 1981 with Montreal, was 1-2 with a 2.05 ERA.
Dave Kingman, Prospect
Class of 1967
Was the first pick in the secondary phase of the 1970 draft by the Giants out of USC. In 15 full seasons, three-time All-Star hit 25 or more homers 10 times–35 or more six times. Also struck out 120-plus times nine seasons, with a high of 156. Best year was with Cubs in 1979, when he hit 48 homers with a .288 batting average and 115 RBIs. Finished with career average of .236 but with 442 home runs.
Greg Luzinski, Notre Dame
Class of 1968
The Phillies’ No. 1 pick (11th player selected) in the June 1968 draft went on to an excellent career. In 13 full seasons, he hit .300 or better three times and topped 30 homers and 100 RBIs four times. Last big year was with the 1983 AL West champion White Sox (32 homers, 95 RBIs). In five playoff series and one World Series, totaled five homers and 12 RBIs with a .244 average.
Denny McLain, Mt. Carmel
Class of 1962
After leading the Caravan to Catholic League titles his junior and senior years, signed with White Sox and threw a no-hitter in one of his first minor-league starts. Was lost to Detroit in now-defunct first-year waiver draft and went on to greatness. Was 16-6 (with 2.61 ERA) in ’65 at age 21, then 20-14 and 17-16 next two years before his amazing 1968 season: 31-6 record, 1.96 ERA, 280 strikeouts (only 63 walks) in 336 innings. Three-time All-Star added 24-9 season in ’69 before arm trouble–and lots of off-the-field trouble–set in.
Mark Mulder, Thornwood
Class of 1995
After going 13-1 his junior year at Thornwood and 11-2 as a senior, starred at Michigan State and was the second player taken in the 1998 draft. In just his second big-league season (2001), went 21-8 with a 3.45 ERA for Oakland. Two-time All-Star (he started last year’s game) has since gone 19-7, 15-9 and 17-8. In two playoff series (one against the Yankees, one against the Twins), he is 2-2 in four starts with a 2.25 ERA.
Fritz Peterson, Arlington
Class of 1960
Lefty signed as free agent with Yankees in 1964 (pre-draft era) after starring at Northern Illinois and two years later was 12-11 with a 3.31 ERA for a New York team that finished 10th in a 10-team league. Control pitcher had 1,015 career strikeouts to just 426 walks, remarkable ratio for left-hander. All-Star in 1970, when he was 20-11 with 2.90 ERA. Highest earned-run average of career was 3.79. Career ERA of 3.30. Won 17 games twice and 15 once.
Scott Sanderson, Glenbrook North
Class of 1974
Tall right-hander pitched Spartans to state title and, three years later, was drafted in third round by Montreal. Went on to a 163-143 career record and 3.84 ERA, spending most of his 19 years (14 injury-free) with Expos and Cubs. Member of ’84 and ’89 Cubs division winners and ’94 White Sox division champs. All-Star in ’91, when he was 16-10 with Yankees. Biggest year was 17-11 with AL champion Oakland in 1990. Struck out 1,611 and walked only 625. Pitched in three playoff series and one World Series.
Paul Splittorff, Arlington
Class of 1964
Second honoree from school that spawned so many others in the northwest suburbs was 25th-round pick in 1968 draft. Spent entire 15-year career (13 full seasons) with Kansas City, posting 166-143 record and 3.81 career ERA. Won in double figures 10 different years, peaking with 20-11 mark in 1973. Won 19 games in 1978. Had sub-4.00 ERA eight times. Never an All-Star but pitched in 1980 World Series and, in four ALCS against the Yankees, was 2-0 with 2.79 ERA over 382/3 innings.
TRACK AND FIELD
Mike Conley, Luther South
Class of 1981
Won Class A state 100- and 200-meter dashes and the triple jump and long jump as a senior–after winning triple jump as a sophomore and junior and the long jump as a junior. Was NCAA long-jump champ at Arkansas and, as an Olympian, won a silver medal at Los Angeles in 1984 and the gold medal at Barcelona in 1992. He still is third all time in the triple jump among U.S. men.
Greg Foster, Proviso East
Class of 1976
After winning three state hurdles championships in high school, was a national champion at UCLA in both the high hurdles and 200 meters. Won the silver medal in the high hurdles at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Three-time world champion in the 110-meter hurdles. Set world indoor hurdles records in 1986 and 1987. Remains seventh all time among U.S. men in high hurdles.
Jan Johnson, Bloom
Class of 1968
The state pole vault champion in ’68 with a then-record leap of 15 feet 3/4 inches, he went on to win the bronze medal at the 1972 Olympics in Munich. Coached the pole vault at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo for eight years and was an early advocate for methods–such as helmet use–to make the event safer. Daughter Chelsea, also a pole vaulter, went to 2004 Olympics as an alternate.
Willie May, Blue Island
Class of 1955
At Blue Island High School–later to be known as Eisenhower–won the ’55 state titles in both the 120-yard high hurdles and the 180 lows. He won the silver medal in the high hurdles at the 1960 Olympics in Rome. Was head track coach and athletic director for several years at Evanston, where he coached the Wildkits boys to the state title in 1979.
Jim Spivey, Fenton
Class of 1978
State 880-yard champ in 1978 was two-time NCAA mile champion at Indiana. Three-time Olympian placed fifth in the 1,500 meters in 1984 and eighth in 1992 and ran the 5,000 meters in 1996. For four years was top-ranked American in the 1,500. His 1984 time of 3:36.06 remains fastest U.S. time in an Olympic 1,500-meter final. His best 1,500 time, 3:31:01 in 1988, is the second-fastest U.S. time. Now head cross-country and assistant track coach at Vanderbilt.
Rick Wohlhuter, St. Charles
Class of 1967
Won the 880-yard run at the state meet in 1966 and ’67, then was an NCAA champion at Notre Dame and world record-holder in the 800 meters. Won the bronze medal in the 800 and placed sixth in the 1,500 at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal after taking sixth in the 1,500 at the Munich Games in ’72. Still holds the fifth-best 800 time among U.S. men.
SOFTBALL
Dani Tyler, Oak Park
Class of 1992
Two-time first-team Tribune All-State shortstop hit .520 as a junior and .513 as senior before moving on to Drake, where she was named school’s Student-Athlete of the Year in 1996. Led Bulldogs to four straight Missouri Valley titles. Starter on gold-medal-winning 1996 Olympic team. Hit tiebreaking homer against Australia but, jumping for joy, missed home plate and was ruled out. U.S. lost in extra innings 2-1 but recovered to beat China 3-1 for the gold. Alternate on 2000 team that won gold in Sydney.
BOYS GYMNASTICS
Bart Conner, Niles West
Class of 1976
Won state all-around title as sophomore and junior in 1974 and ’75 and then, while still in high school, competed in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. Was 1978 all-around champ at Oklahoma and World Cup gold-medalist on the pommel horse and parallel bars in ’79. Won two gold medals in 1984 Olympics–on parallel bars and as member of the U.S. men’s gymnastics team. Married to another noted gymnast–Nadia Comaneci.
BADMINTON
Linda French, York
Class of 1982
After winning three state singles championships, she helped first Wisconsin and then Arizona State to NCAA titles. Earned law degree between stints as doubles player on the U.S. Olympic team in both 1982 and ’86, when she and doubles partner Erika Von Heiland became America’s first two-time badminton Olympians.
BOYS TENNIS
Marty Riessen, Hinsdale (Central)
Class of 1960
Won four straight state singles titles–he never lost a singles set in high school. Three-time Big Ten singles and doubles champ at Northwestern, where he also was starting guard on basketball team (backcourt mate was Rich Falk). Reached NCAA singles finals three times. As pro, was ranked No. 8 in world in singles in 1972 and No. 9 in ’73. U.S. Open doubles champ in ’76 (with Tom Okker) and four-time Open mixed doubles champ (three times with Margaret Smith Court).
GIRLS SOCCER
Debbie Keller, Waubonsie Valley
Class of 1993
Second-team Tribune All-Stater as freshman and first-teamer next three years, she went on to star at North Carolina. Led Tar Heels to 1996 NCAA championship, scoring game-winning goal in overtime in title game. Named North Carolina’s Athlete of the Year in 1997. Member of U.S. 1995 World Cup team that placed third in Sweden. Foot injury cost her chance to try out for ’96 Olympic team. Despite being No. 2 scorer on 1998 national team, was left off ’99 World Cup team under somewhat questionable circumstances having to do with a lawsuit she and a teammate filed against Anton Dorrance, their coach at UNC.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Kevin Barnett, Naperville North
Class of 1992
State volleyball tournament was in its first year when he was a senior, and his team didn’t make it to final eight, but the 6-6 Barnett went on to success at Pepperdine (second-team All-American) and with U.S. national team (No. 1 in kills and MVP in 1998). Member of 2000 and 2004 Olympic team, starting at outside hitter on ’04 team that finished fourth. Team’s third-leading scorer during Athens Games.
Tom Hoff, Maine South
Class of 1991
Led Maine South to 31-3 record in ’91 and to sectional finals of Niles West Invitational, precursor to IHSA state tournament. Starred at Ohio State and Long Beach State and was three-time All-American before joining national team in 1996. The 6-8 middle blocker had 25 kills and 10 blocks in 2000 Olympic Games. Overcame injuries and back surgery to make 2004 Olympic team as well.
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THEIR TIME IS COMING
Brittany Bock, Neuqua Valley
Even in coach Dawn Fehring’s senior advisory at Neuqua Valley, the buzz about the girls soccer season is evident.
“She didn’t even bring up soccer,” said Brittany Bock, somewhat surprised when a group of boys began talking to her about the sport. “They were all asking about the team. They were really excited.”
The reason for the anticipation is Bock herself. Two years ago she helped Neuqua Valley reach the Class AA state quarterfinals and was named to the Tribune’s All-State team. Last season, though, Bock decided to train with a boys club team instead of playing soccer for the school.
Now Bock is back and that helps make Neuqua Valley a threat to end New Trier’s reign as back-to-back state champions.
“I had a good time playing with the guys,” the Notre Dame signee said. “But playing for the school–that’s really cool.”
The midfielder loves the idea of returning to help the Wildcats compete for a state title. She has already heard this from some of her Neuqua Valley classmates: “Oh, I hear you’re playing soccer this year. You better be good.”
— Alan Sutton
Sean McNamara, York
It’s always an achievement to be considered a standout runner at one’s high school.
But when that school is York, standing out is impressive indeed. Senior Sean McNamara has helped the Dukes maintain their national prominence.
McNamara cruised to the Class AA state cross-country title in the fall with a winning time of 14 minutes 33 seconds. The next two runners to cross the finish line were also York teammates–brothers Matt and Eric Dettman–and the Dukes won their 24th state title.
But McNamara hasn’t rested on his laurels since the end of the cross-country season. After finishing first (by 12 seconds) and leading York to victory at the Nike Team Nationals in December, McNamara finished 12th at the prestigious Foot Locker National Finals in San Diego later in the month.
With McNamara leading the way, York finished 2004 ranked No. 1 in the nation in cross-country by The Harrier magazine.
At last spring’s Class AA track and field championships, McNamara finished second in the 3,200 and was third in the 1,600. As a sophomore, he finished seventh and 10th in those events, respectively.
— Nathan Baird
Alexandria Anderson, Morgan Park
Alexandria Anderson’s exploits at Morgan Park have turned heads in Illinois since she was a freshman.
Now the senior is making a global impact.
At the IAAF World Junior Championships in Grosetto, Italy, Anderson ran the opening leg of a 4-x-400 relay squad that set a world junior record of 3:27.60. Competing at the USATF Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon in August, Anderson was named Verizon Youth Athlete of the Meet after winning gold medals in the 200, 400 and long jump.
Anderson became the first Class AA athlete to win four individual state titles in one meet when she won the long jump, 100 meters, 200 meters and 400 meters last spring. Her performance nearly carried Morgan Park to the team title; the Mustangs fell short of Evanston by four points.
If Anderson can win the 100 and 200 dashes again this spring, she will become the fifth person to win an event four straight years, and only the second to manage the feat in two events. She signed a national letter of intent with nine-time NCAA champion Texas in November.
— Nathan Baird
Ryne White, St. Rita
The paws of Ryne White are expected to give pause to many of St. Rita’s opponents this season.
“He’s just a great pure hitter. He’s got hitter’s hands,” said Mustangs coach Mike Zunica. “He’s in total control at the plate. He’s going to swing at his pitches. He’s not afraid to go deep in the count. He’s patient, and when he gets his pitch, he usually doesn’t miss it.”
White hit .509 with 14 homers and 59 RBIs last season for the Catholic League North champs. But the plate isn’t the only spot he’ll be counted on. He recorded nine wins and 97 strikeouts, while surrendering only 30 earned runs in 74 1/3 innings.
“He’s got outstanding stuff,” Zunica said. “If he throws strikes, we’ll win. That’s all we need him to do.”
The Purdue-bound senior has another important responsibility for the Mustangs, who went 34-7 and made it to the Elite Eight last season.
“I’m one of the seniors so I have to try to lead the team,” he said. “Set a good example for everyone else to follow.
“The back of our T-shirt this year says, `No distractions.’ Just go out and play, have fun. Being back in the state tournament, that’s our goal.”
— Dave Surico
