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From Williamsport to Cooperstown

By KEVIN KELLY

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 26, 2001

What does the future hold for pitcher Danny Almonte, right, the 12-year-old Little League sensation from the Bronx, N.Y.? Any number of things, as it turns out. He could become a hockey player like Chris Drury, basketball player a la Bill Bradley and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or even a rock star as Huey Lewis and Bruce Springsteen did after their Little League careers. But there's a remote possibility Almonte might make it to the majors and build on his blossoming legend. Here are a few former Little Leaguers who pitched their way into the Baseball Hall of Fame:

What does the future hold for pitcher Danny Almonte, right, the 12-year-old Little League sensation from the Bronx, N.Y.? Any number of things, as it turns out. He could become a hockey player like Chris Drury, basketball player a la Bill Bradley and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or even a rock star as Huey Lewis and Bruce Springsteen did after their Little League careers. But there's a remote possibility Almonte might make it to the majors and build on his blossoming legend. Here are a few former Little Leaguers who pitched their way into the Baseball Hall of Fame:

STEVE CARLTON: Four-time Cy Young winner

ROLLIE FINGERS: 1981 AL MVP and Cy Young Award

CATFISH HUNTER: 1974 Cy Young winner

JIM PALMER:Four-time Cy Young winner

NOLAN RYAN:Strikeout king, seven no-hitters

TOM SEAVER:Three-time Cy Young winner

DON SUTTON:Elected to Hall of Fame in 1998 -- Compiled by Kevin Kelly.

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