Baseball's postseason has definite Cape League flavor Evan Longoria, Chatham, CCBL MVP 2005 Article By: CCBL Public Relations Office Twenty-seven former Cape Cod Baseball League players are on the rosters of the eight teams participating in Major League Baseball's 2013 divisional playoffs. Leading the way are the National League Central champion St. Louis Cardinals, whose manager, pitching coach and a half-dozen players all claim Cape League backgrounds. St. Louis won the National League Central Division, finishing at 97-65, the same record as the American League East champion Boston Red Sox, and both teams are managed by former Cape Leaguers. It's the Cardinals' first division title since 2008, and the Red Sox return to postseason play after 2011's September collapse and the six-month nightmare that was the 2012 season. Mike Matheny (Cotuit, 1989) manages the Cardinals while John Farrell (Hyannis, 1982) is the skipper for the Red Sox. Matheny's pitching coach is Derek Lilliquist (Cotuit, 1986-87) and his playoff roster includes six players with Cape League pedigrees – pitchers John Axford (Cotuit, 2003), Randy Choate (Hyannis, 1999), Joe Kelly (Yarmouth-Dennis, 2008) and Seth Maness (Bourne, 2009), plus infielder Kolten Wong (Orleans, 2010) and outfielder Shane Robinson (Hyannis, 2004). Three Red Sox players honed their skills on the Cape – pitcher Brandon Workman (Wareham, 2008-09), catcher David Ross (Brewster, 1996) and outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (Falmouth, 2004). The NL West champion Los Angeles Dodgers' coaching staff includes two former Cape Leaguers: assistant hitting coach John Valentin (Hyannis, 1988) and assistant pitching coach Ken Howell (Cotuit, 1981). Other Dodgers who played on the Cape are pitchers Chris Capuano (Bourne, 1999), J.P. Howell (Bourne, 2002; Wareham, 2003) and Brian Wilson (Hyannis, 2002), plus catcher Tim Federowicz (Chatham, 2007). Tampa Bay, Oakland, Atlanta and Pittsburgh each feature three Cape League grads on their playoff rosters, while Detroit lists two. Here is the complete list: ALDS Boston Red Sox John Farrell, Manager Hyannis, 1982 Jacoby Ellsbury, OF Falmouth, 2004 David Ross, C Brewster, 1996 Brandon Workman, P Wareham, 2008/09 Tampa Bay Rays Detroit Tigers Oakland A's NLDS St. Louis Cardinals John Axford, P Cotuit, 2003 Los Angeles Dodgers Chris Capuano, P Bourne, 1999 Atlanta Braves Pittsburgh Pirates |