Several sporting and general celebrities took part in Little League baseball 14 players in the Baseball Hall of Fame played Little League , including Jim Palmer, Cal Ripken Jr. , Nolan Ryan and Wade Boggs. George W. Bush became the first Little League graduate to be elected president of the United States after playing for four years in the 1950s.
Jason Bay 1990 LLWS (Trail, British Columbia) 2004 National League Rookie of the Year; three-time All-Star (2005, 2006, 2009). Has played for Padres (2003), Pirates (2003-08), Red Sox (2008-09) and Mets (current). Was traded three times before his rookie of the year season. Played for Canada in the World Baseball Classic in 2006 and 2009.
Lastings Milledge 1997 LLWS (Manatee East, Fla., U.S. runner-up) New York Mets' first-round pick (No. 12 overall) in 2003 draft. Played with four of his teammates from that LLWS team at Lakewood Ranch High School. Made his major league debut for the Mets in 2006. Traded to the Nationals in 2008 and then to the Pirates in 2009. He is now in the White Sox organization.
Jason Varitek 1984 LLWS (Altamonte Springs, Fla., which lost in finals to South Korea). Was on the Georgia Tech team that lost the College World Series final in 1994. Made major league debut in 1997. In 2004, led the Red Sox to their first World Series title since 1918. Is one of two players (Ed Vosberg is the other) to have played in all three world series (LLWS, College, MLB). Was a three-time All-America selection and the 1993 Baseball America's College Player of the Year; played on Team USA at the 1992 Olympic Games.
John "Boog" Powell 1954 LLWS American League MVP in 1970 with 35 homers and 114 RBIs; four-time All-Star. Won the World Series with the Orioles in 1970. Now operates a barbecue stand at Camden Yards.
Gary Sheffield 1980 LLWS (Tampa, Fla., runner-up to Chinese Taipei) nine-time MLB All-Star. Derek Bell was a teammate on that LLWS squad. The 22-year MLB veteran played for eight teams and was member of 1997 World Series champion Florida Marlins . One of 25 players with 500 career home runs (finished with 509, 24th all-time).
Rick Wise 1958 LLWS. Played 18 years (last year was 1982) in MLB, pitching for the Phillies, Cardinals, Red Sox, Indians and Padres. Pitched a no-hitter and hit two home runs in the same game (the only pitcher to accomplish this feat) for the Phillies on June 23, 1971, against the Reds. Coached from 1985 until he retired after the 2008 season.
Chris Drury 1989 LLWS (Trumbull, Conn. He pitched the team to a 5-2 victory over Taiwan) 1999 Rookie of the Year with Colorado Avalanche of the NHL. Had an award-filled, four-year college career at Boston University, capturing the Hobey Baker Award as the top collegiate player in 1998. In 2001, he helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup. Competed for Team USA at the 2002 and 2006 Olympic Games. Has played for the Avalanche, Flames, Sabres and Rangers.
Pierre Turgeon 1982 LLWS (Rotary Little League team. He finished the tournament with a 1-1 pitching record and went 5-for-9 at the plate with three doubles, five runs batted in and three runs scored.) Lady Byng Award recipient (1992-93); four-time NHL All-Star. Picked first overall by Buffalo in the 1987 NHL entry draft. Played 16 years in NHL with more than 500 goals and 800 assists to his credit. Retired in 2007.
Billy Hunter 1955 LLWS (Delaware Township Little League in Cherry Hill, N.J. He was a pitcher and infielder on a team that made it all the way to the final.) Was an NFL kick returner with the Miami Dolphins and the
got hurt in 2008; was traded to the Chiefs the following offseason, where he is now the starting QB.
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