Jackson Cooke and Max Ramirez IV (pictured), represented the Border Cats at the 2024 Northwoods League All-Star Game in Mankato, Minnesota.
The Thunder Bay Border Cats were well represented at the 2024 Northwoods League All-Star Game Tuesday in Mankato, Minnesota, despite their team coming out on the losing end. The Great Lakes All-Stars won the summer classic by a score of 9-2 over the Great Plains All-Stars before 2,305 fans at ISG Field.
Catcher Jackson Cooke (University of Tennessee at Martin) went 2-for-3 at the plate with two solid singles as he played catcher and first base. Pitcher Max Ramirez IV (Niagara University) came on in relief in the fourth inning with a runner on first base and pitched 2/3 scoreless innings with one strikeout.
Wausau Woodchucks outfielder Max Galvin (Oklahoma State University) took home MVP honours for the winners as he went 2-for-6 at the plate with two doubles, one run batted in, and one run scored. Galvin also won the Home Run Challenge on Monday by hitting 15 home runs, one better than Cooke of the Border Cats, who led the contest most of the night after hitting 14 dingers out of the park.
Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer Corey Koskie threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Tuesday’s game and was the guest speaker at the All-Star luncheon. The native of Anola, MB, played nine seasons in the big leagues with the Minnesota Twins, Toronto Blue Jays, and Milwaukee Brewers.
The Border Cats return to league play on Thursday night when they open a two-game series in Eau Claire against the Express, followed by a pair of weekend games in St. Cloud versus the Rox. Thunder Bay (12-8), leads the second half standings in the Great Plains East Division by a half a game over the Duluth Huskies.
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The Thunder Bay Border Cats are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Now in its’ 31st season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history with 26 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, 360 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TEX), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (STL) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2023 World Series Champion, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). League games are viewable live on Northwoods League+ (at watch.northwoodsleague.com), ESPN+, and the Northwoods League Network. Learn more and find complete streaming schedules at watchnwl.com. For more information, visit www.bordercatsbaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Border Cats as your favourite team.
