Former Kettleers Matheny and Bellhorn Adorn

the Cover of Sports Illustrated

Was it sheer inadvertancy or pure luck? Either way, the cover of Sports Illustrated for the Nov. 1, 2004 issue revealed an almost uncanny number of coincidences, and, perhaps, illuminating facts about the Cape Cod Baseball League and its affiliation with Major League Baseball.

    For one, a duo of former Cotuit Kettleers stars -- St. Louis Cardinals' catcher Mike Matheny and Boston Red Sox second baseman Mark Bellhorn -- adorned the cover in a brilliant photograph taken by world-renowned sports photographer Al Tielemans.

   And secondly, the striking action photo of the pair stands as an almost outright testimonial to how critical a role a professional baseball player's Cape League experience ties into the future of his success.

    Not only can Matheny and Bellhorn claim former Cape League stardom -- and now, of course, Major League super-stardom -- but so, too, can a large number of players who participated in this year's unforgettable World Series say precisely the same thing.

    An amazing array of former Cape Leaguers took the field during this year's Fall Classic, including, for the Boston Red Sox: catcher Jason Varitek (Hyannis Mets, 1991 & 1993), third baseman Kevin Youkilis (Bourne Braves 2000), first baseman Kevin Millar (Harwich 1992), Bill Mueller (Bourne 1992), Doug Mirabelli (Bourne 1990) and Mark Bellhorn (Cotuit 1993). Former Chatham A's star pitcher Scott Williamson (1996) was left off the Red Sox postseason roster when it was filed in early October. He had just come off the disabled list in September and was still healing from an elbow injury.

     And how about for the St. Louis Cardinals? The list includes: Matt Morris (Hyannis 1993), Gabe Molina (Bourne 1994 & Orleans 1995), Marlon Anderson (Wareham 1994) and Mike Matheny (Cotuit 1990). Other Cardinals who played in the Cape League but who did not make the postseason roster included Bo Hart (Cotuit 1998) and Jimmy Journell (Cotuit 1998).

    Matheny was a Cape League West Division All-Star in 1990 and had played at the University of Michigan. He played that season at Lowell Park just a hop, skip and a jump across town from Hyannis Mets all-star catcher Doug Mirabelli. Matheny batted .195 in 38 games for the playoff-bound Kettleers that season but showesd great promise when he belted a home run in the July 30, 1990 CCBL All-Star Game at Orleans.

    The Kettleers fell two games to none to Wareham in the Divisional Playoffs on the heels of a solid 22-19-2 regular season.

    Red Sox second sacker Mark Bellhorn had a red-hot summer in 1993 at Elizabeth Lowell Park. Out of Auburn University, Bellhorn batted .270 in 34 games, collecting 34 hits, hitting two home runs and driving in 14. While the Kettleers finished in third place and missed the postseason that summer at 24-20, Bellhorn enjoyed a fantastic, career-making summer. He belted Cotuit's sole grand slam of the year on July 6, 1993 versus Wareham and played against the likes of Varitek, Garciaparra, Darin Erstad and St. Louis Cardinals 2004 opponent Matt Morris.

Photo by Al Tielemans for Sports Illustrated © 2004, All Rights Reserved.

Photos of Mark Bellhorn and Mike Matheny © 2004, mlb.com and Major League Baseball. All Rights Reserved. Photos may not be duplicated, retransmitted or published in any format without express written permission from the copyright holders.

Text © 2004-2005, Cotuit Athletic Association/Sean Walsh