2001  S e a s o n

In 2001, the Rebels had their worst winning percentage in franchise history. Thanks to being in the worst division in softball history, the Rebels did only finish 18 games out of first place. Coming off a competitive season in 2000, the Rebels made up for losing Adam Miller and Brett McCollum by adding premium free agents Chris Minor and Dennis Wuorenma.

2001 was the ugly year caused partly by the many dry years of the Rebels farm system. With no real talent produced by the system since Miller and McCollum, the Rebels had a hard time transitioning to the next crop of young talent. While the team struggled, the future shone bright in Lake County, the Rebels’ younger affiliate.

Summer League Standing

Summer  Roster

Pitchers

Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders

Utility Players

Dennis  WuorenmaBilly  Roiniotis Izzy  Solis Carson  FlorioBrian  Sheehan
Jerry  VasquezJake  Reichert Jeff  Wilson Chris  MinorJeff  Reiher
Tony J  Cauvall Joey  RatliffNestor  Toro Josh  Bentivegna
Jonathan  Schumacher Scott  Wilson Tim  Sotomayor
Mike  Vela Steve  GuariniTorre  Garnder
Tony  Cauvall Vince  Bracheck

Summer  Stats

Most  Valuable  Player

Jerry Vasquez, the Rebels’ catcher and team leader, won the most-valuable-player award batted .559 with 3 doubles, 19 base hits and was second in runs created, but many of his contributions were intangible–on and off the field. Vasquez, who almost won a triple crown led his Squad in six offensive categories and was in the top four in three others. If you look at sheer numbers, there are guys with more home runs and RBIs, but it was great that the voters looked at more than statistics and picked Vasquez on the basis of most valuable. He’s was definitely the leader on our team. The fact that he was among the top producing players in the league both offensively, as well as defensively, all while playing with aches, pains and injuries, it’s fairly difficult to understand on how he was able to crack the top 10 in the MVP voting.

In order for the Rebels to have a successful season, they pretty much have to win a championship. The playoff failures of the recent past are fresh in the minds, and the expectations for this year’s team are rightfully inflated.

The Rebels came closer to a championship than almost any other team during Fall Ball in Waukegan so the team by purchasing the contracts of Joey Ratliff, Dennis Wuorenma and Josh Bentivejna. Outfielder Nestor Toro made his team debut on October 17th, the team rebounded on October 28th, to clinch their first ever softball pennant by winning the Sturtevant fall league, at Fielder’s Choice Sports Complex. Their offseason focused on keeping the gang together.

Rookie of the Year

Chris Minor, for his part, turned in a legendary rookie season in which he hit .385 with 7 extra base hits, 8 RBIs, 9 Runs. He accumulated 22 total bases, had a .423 OBP, .558 slugging percentage, .981 OPS. As he had throughout his career, Minor produced a fine defensive display in left field, posting an estimated 2.2 WAR season with his defense alone, which was the second-highest mark on the squad.

Chris Minor made his team debut on May 5th, 2001 against Clover’s Softball at Belvidere North, going 0 for 2. Collected his home run on Tuesday September 11th, 2001 against Hit Men Club, Gm.1, at Dugdale Park.

Team Memorabilia

This is an authentic card of the Go jo’s All-Star first basemen Chris Minor and Nestor Toro. There is a certificate of authenticity from the CEO of Softball Trading Cards on the back of the card. Chris Minor 2002 "Most Valuable Player".