Ronald “Ron” Kittle

The future power-hitter, Ron Kittle, spent his freshman year at Andrean High School before transferring to Wirt High School where he played baseball for legendary coach Jerry Troxel.  Kittle was drafted by the Dodgers in 1976 after tryout camp in LaPorte. Kittle is a former American left fielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was known for his home run hitting power and was named the 1983 American League Rookie of the Year. Kittle played for the Chicago White Sox (1982–86, 1989, 1991), New York Yankees (1986–87), Cleveland Indians (1988) and Baltimore Orioles (1990). He batted and threw right-handed. Kittle was also a manager for the minor league Schaumburg Flyers. A former steelworker who made his MLB debut at nearly 25 years old, Kittle was a popular player on the 1983 Chicago White Sox when they won 99 games and made their first playoff appearance since the 1959 World Series. That season, Kittle was selected an All-Star and won Rookie of the Year honors after hitting 35 home runs which was a club record for a rookie and 100 RBI. Kittle also hit 50 homers in the minor leagues with the Edmonton Trappers and had his jersey retired in Edmonton at Telus Field. He was voted winner of 1982's Pacific Coast League Most Valuable Player Award. Kittle finished his career in Chicago in 1991 and appeared in 843 games over the course of his 10–year MLB career. He recorded 176 home runs and 460 runs batted in.