Cougars host 'Meet the Diamondbacks' night

Opening Day of the Kane County Cougars' 2015 baseball season may be 69 days away but several front office dignitaries of the Arizona Diamondbacks delivered the first pitch to local fans Friday night at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva.

Mark Grudzielanek, recently named the 16th manager in Cougars history, joined Bob Gebhard, Diamondbacks vice president and special assistant to the general manager, and Mike Bell, the Diamondbacks director of player development, during the "Meet the Diamondbacks Party" in the Super Suite.

For Grudzielanek, who enjoyed a 15-year Major League playing career, the return to the Chicago area brings back memories - both special and bittersweet.

"Being back in the Chicago area - it's awesome," said Grudzielanek, who recorded 2,040 career hits with a lifetime batting average of .289 while playing for 6 Major League teams, including a 2-year stint with the Cubs (2003-04).

"I loved it here - the fans, the people, everything about it. I'm from Milwaukee so it's pretty close to where I grew up. It's nice to be back."

Grudzielanek was the starting second baseman during the Cubs' memorable 2003 campaign that ended with a disappointing 7-game National League championship series loss to Florida and included the infamous Steve Bartman incident in Game 6.

"It's what could have been - what do you do?" said Grudzielanek. "Unfortunately I was on the other side of it. It was an incredible ride. I wish everybody could experience what we did that year. That's how special it was."

It will be the first coaching/managing experience for Grudzielanek, who retired as a player following the 2010 campaign.

"I've been going kind of crazy to get back in the game," he said. "For the passion and love I've had my whole life, it's time to get back in the game."

Bell, who enters his 9th season with Arizona, feels he has found the right man in Grudzielanek to manage the Cougars.

"Mark wanted to get back in the game and we're fortunate to have him," said Bell, whose brother (David), father (Buddy) and grandfather (Gus) spent significant time as Major League players. "I feel he can become a big league manager if that's what he wants to do."

During the off-season, the Cougars and Diamondbacks organizations announced a 2-year player development contract.

"The fans are going to be extremely impressed," said Dr. Bob Froehlich, who took over along with his wife, Cheryl, as the Cougars' majority owners last June. "It's a partnership. It's about the people, the process and the product.

"We need a competitive product."

A year ago in their final season as a Chicago Cubs Class A affiliate, the Cougars recorded a franchise-record 91 regular-season victories on the way to capturing their second Midwest League title.

Last summer, the Diamondbacks' Hillsboro (Ore.) Hops Short-A team won the Northwest League championship with an overall record of 52-28.

"I'm actually nervous about it," said Bell, who expects several players from Hillsboro to make the jump to Kane County. "There is some pressure but it is why we do what we do."

"Developing helps winning and winning helps development," said Gebhard, who is beginning his 51st year in Major League Baseball.

The Cougars begin their 25th silver anniversary season Thursday, April 9 at home against Cedar Rapids.