Former Zag Headed To The World Series
10/17/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Oct. 17, 2003
SPOKANE, Wash. - Former Gonzaga University catcher Mike Redmond will become the third former Bulldogs baseball player to appear in a World Series when the Florida Marlins take on the New York Yankees in the 2003 Fall Classic starting Saturday at Yankee Stadium. Redmond is currently the back-up catcher for the Marlins appearing in one game with a run scored during Florida's National League Championship Series victory over Chicago.
The first Gonzaga player to appear in a World Series was Leon Cadore who pitched for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1920's. Cadore helped Brooklyn advance to the 1920 World Series appearing in two games with a 9.00 ERA during two innings pitched. Cadore closed out a game one loss to the Cleveland Indians and then was a surprise starter in game four when slated starter Rube Marquard was arrested several hours before the game when he caught trying to sell a World Series ticket for $350 to an undercover cop. Cadore would toss the first inning and then was lifted after giving up two runs. Cadore, who earlier that season had placed his name in the baseball annals with his 26-inning 1-1 duel with Boston Braves starter Joe Oeschger, would go on to pitch in the Major Leagues until 1924 never again returning to the World Series.
Former Gonzaga second baseman Lenn Sakata was the second former Gonzaga player to reach the World Series when he served as a role player on the 1983 Baltimore Orioles World Series championship team. Sakata appeared in only one game with one at-bat. Sakata holds the distinction of being the last player to play shortstop for the Baltimore Orioles prior to Cal Ripken starting his record-setting streak of consecutive games. Sakata would finish his Major League Career in 1987 as a member of the New York Yankees.
