Travel Baseball Teams in Missouri

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MLB Players from Missouri

Missouri has 30 active big league players, according to the Baseball Almanac (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/birthplace.php?loc=Missouri). Among them are Trevor Rosenthal, Max Scherzer, Ryan Howard, and Mark Buehrle.

Ryan Howard

First baseman Ryan Howard was born on November 19, 1979 in St. Louis. He grew up in a sports-loving, sports-playing household. He was a Little Leaguer and also played American Legion ball (http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/RHoward/RHoward_bio.html).

Howard made it onto the team at Lafayette High School -- with difficulty. His father made a batting cage in the basement to help him practice (http://www.maxpreps.com/news/G0C3jmvrEd6SyQAcxJTdpg/my-greatest-high-school-moment--ryan-howard.htm).

Howard played for Missouri State (then known as Southwest Missouri State) and was selected in the 5th round of the 2001 draft. He was 21.

The Batavia Muckdogs, Clearwater Threshers, and Phoenix Red Dogs were among the teams that Ryan played for in the minors.

Howard’s major league debut came in 2004 at age 24. He was National League Rookie of the Year in 2005 and Most Valuable Player in 2006.

He also made it into the Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame (http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=429667#gameType='S').

Howard has been with the Phillies his entire MLB career.

Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle was also born in 1979, but in St. Charles. The first two times he tried out for the team at Francis Howell North High School, he didn't make it (http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/Buehrle/Buehrle_bio.html).

At one point, Buehrle played ball with IMG Academy – he is not the only MLB player to have done so, but is among the most notable alumni (http://www.imgacademy.com/sports).

Buehrle attended Jefferson College in Hillsboro. He was a 38th round draft pick in 1998.

His MLB debut was in 2000. He was 21.

Buehrle has been with the WhiteSox, BlueJays, and Marlins. He was on the 2005 championship team – not bad for a 38th round draft pick!

Max Scherzer

Pitcher Max Scherzer, born in 1984, played ball at Parkway Central High School. The teen Scherzer declined a 43rd round draft pick in 2003, opting instead for school – and baseball – at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He was honored as Big 12 Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2005 and was later inducted into the University of Missouri Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame.

His value in the eyes of big league scouts went up. He was the 1st round draft pick of the Diamondbacks in 2006.

Scherzer played for the A Visalia Oaks and later the AA Mobile BayBears. He also played for the Fort Worth Cats, a team that is not affiliated with the MLB.

Scherzer’s debut in the majors came in April 2008. He was 2008 Rookie of the Year for the Diamondbacks. He was also a 2013 All-Star.

Now with Detroit, he has been active in Tigers charities. Along with his wife, he launched his own program, Scherzer's Superstars (http://tigers.mlblogs.com/2013/06/25/max-scherzer-and-erica-may-launch-scherzers-superstars-to-give-back-to-the-community).

Tomorrow's Ball Players in Missouri

Howard is 6’4, and that may well have helped him, but he also played hard to get where he was. He’s been on teams most of his life: youth teams, high school teams, college teams, minor leagues, majors. Tomorrow’s ball players are likely on teams now, laying that foundation.

Howard has offered the following insight: “Sometimes, you're going to have to work hard, sometimes extra hard, and sometimes you still won't get that recognition. That's life... But if you keep working, eventually you'll get the prize you're seeking (http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/RHoward/RHoward_my-say.html).”

Part of working hard is playing sports, but it’s not all there is. Ryan also studied hard in school -- this was mandatory in his family. "Even though I went to (college to) play baseball, he says, “one day I would come back and get my degree (http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/RHoward/RHoward_my-say.html)"

Scherzer's Superstars rewards kids with a baseball game, but the focus is on staying in school.

Travel Baseball Teams in Missouri

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