Who is the best baseball player to come out of the chicago area ?? Pick only 1

1) Kirby 2) Lance Johnson 3)Sean Lawrence 4) Ben Shelton.

I take that back if the Bull and Skowron are from Chicago. Moose has to be #1 and the Bull # 2.

At this point it would be Kirby.

Bull went to Notre Dame in Niles
Skowron I think went to Fenger
Where did Puckett go and Lance Johnson ?

And how about Kris Honel ? Hes gonna be a good one, and had a great HS career

Kingman was from the area also ..

Can you tell im a Sox fan ?? lol

As a graduate of St. Rita High School, Class of 1962, as much as it "hurts" me to say this:

Dennis McLain, rhp, Mount Carmel High School, Class of 1962, Detroit Tiger and former Cy Young award winner, was, in my opinion, the best player to come out of the Chicago area.

Those of you that are "true" old Catholic Leaguers, will understand this post. The rest...you're much too young!

Been...my father is a Mendel grad, I understand your post.

Mark Mulder, LHP Oakland Athletics

Thornwood HS

Bill Gullickson and Scott Sanderson have to rate high with best pitchers from area

John Castino, New Trier - Rookie of the year, Minn. Twins. Dan Wilson, Barrington, Mike Marshall, Buffalo Grove.

Since we are on the subject of past players, can any high school boast pitchers such as these....
Joliet Catholic Pitchers Drafted

Bill Gullickson
Mark Grant
Barry Johnson
Chris Michalak
Kai Freeman
Mike Grace
Kevin Sadowski
Kevin Cameron
Mark Sopko
Steve Nielsen
Chris Ericksen

Not a bad All-Time pitching staff at all.

BTIL, YOU ARE SO RIGHT. Dennis McClain is by far the one. i vote for skowron after that.

I forgot Sean Bergman, also a pitcher from JC, pitched with the Tigers I think.

How About Oak Park who's won loss record is the best of any highschool team over the past 30 years! Players who have played pro baseball from Oak Park
Marv Stahley SOx show
John Brooks Twins
Paul Petrulis Mets
Tom HIldebrand Sox
Joe Citari Royals
Sean Lawrence Pirates show
Scott NElson Giants
Jay Klonoski Giants
Ben SHelton pirats
Blake Whaley Mets
Justin Olsen Twins
Ryan Kalita ????

Kalita plays with the Cubs I believe

Huskie Power,

Who are you? You are mentioning some names that the average person would not be able to list. Do I know you? You have to be a long time Oak Parker.

Have to throw this into the mix...from mlb.com Kelly Dransfeldt recently signed with the Sox.

"Dransfeldt, who played 36 games for Texas, currently resides in Morris, Ill., with his family and was a high school baseball sensation in his hometown."

Been, Sox ...

Denny McClain a great pick. Mark Mulder a great pick.

Now, how about Sammy Espisito, and Lou Skizas ?? .. NOW tell me if anyone remembers them, both part of the 59 White sox, Both local kids

Sammy was the best utility man / part time starter in the game in 59.I thought I knew the entire team, never heard of Skizas!!.............Aparicio-Fox-Landis-Lollar-Torgeson/Kluzewski-Smith-Rivera-Goodman/Phillips/Esposito. Little Nell and Jungle Jim were my boyhood hero's.

I believe Joliet Catholic has produced the most Major League baseball players in Illinois maybe even the country.
Jack Perconte-show
Bill Gullikson-show
Mark Grant-show
Mike Grace-show
Sean Begman-show
Chris Michalak-show
That is 6 Major Leaguers total and that does not even count the many players drafted into professional baseball.