07/02/2020 5:19 AM Article By: John Garner Jr.
During its storied history, Cape Cod Baseball League has boasted several positions of prominence, including shortstops. Below are some of the best:
Robert “Red” Rolfe, Orleans – The Dartmouth star played shortstop on the Cape in 1930 for Orleans Townies, managed by major league player and manager Patsy Donovan. He moved to third base with NY Yankees “Bronx Bombers” which won five straight AL pennants and four World Series titles, 1936-40. 4-time All-Star and 5-time World Series champion hit .289 lifetime with 69 HR and 497 RBI, including 1939 when he led AL with 213 hits, 139 runs and 46 doubles with .329 BA, 14 HR and 80 RBI. He managed the Detroit Tigers in 1949-52 and became AD at Dartmouth 1954-67 where he hired Dave Gavitt as basketball coach.
Kevin Newman, Falmouth – The Arizona product won consecutive CCBL batting titles, hitting .375 in 2013 and .385 in 2014 and named League MVP for Commodores. Drafted by Pittsburgh, he’s played for Pirates in 2018-19, hitting .293 with 12 HR and 70 RBI.
Grant Green, Chatham – The USC product was named Outstanding Pro Prospect in 2008 for the A’s. He batted .348 with six homers and 21 RBI. Grant was drafted by the Oakland A’s and played five seasons in major leagues, hitting .248 with four homers and 38 RBI.
Tyler Greene, Orleans – The Georgia Tech star was named Outstanding Pro Prospect in 2004, hitting .296 with one homer and 13 RBI. Tyler was drafted by St. Louis Cardinals and played five years in majors, batting .224 with 17 homers and 61 RBI.
Kevin Nicholson, Wareham – The Stetston star was named league MVP in 1996 for the Gatemen. He was drafted by San Diego and spent one year playing for the Padres, hitting .216 with one homer and eight RBI.
Corey Snyder, Harwich – The three-time BYU All-American set a Cape League record by belting 23 home runs and batted .321 for the CCBL champion Mariners in 1983. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians and played nine years in the majors, hitting .247 with 149 homers and 488 RBI.
Nomar Garciaparra, Orleans – The George Tech standout led the Cardinals to the 1993 Cape League title Aaron Boone and Jay Payton. An All-Star and winner of 10th Player Award, Nomar hit .327 with 10 doubles and 18 RBI for Orleans. He was drafted by Boston and played 14 years in the major leagues, hitting .313 with 229 homers and 936 RBI. A six-time American League All-Star, AL Rookie of the Year and two-time batting champion. Nomar was inducted into Cape League Hall of Fame in 2002.
Mickey Morandini, Y-D – The Indiana standout was named league MVP in 1987, winning the batting title with a .376 average and also led CCBL with 62 hits, 46 runs, 91 total bases, 15 doubles and 43 stolen bases, third all-time, He was drafted by the Phillies and played 11 years in MLB, hitting .268 with 32 homers and 351 RBI. Mickey was inducted into the Cape League Hall of Fame in 2005.
Wade Rowdon, Orleans – The Stetson star was named Cape League’s Outstanding Pro Prospect in 1981, when he tied a league record by hitting three homers in one game and also played in the CCBL in 1980. He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox and played five seasons in the majors, hitting .217 with one homer
