An outsider's look

The Bowling Green Hot Rods have been working their way through the Midwest League to introduce their fans to the new teams they will be seeing. This week, the spotlight was turned on the Peoria Chiefs. A little history from the middle of the article.

While the Chiefs didn't win it all in '85, a total of eight players on the roster eventually played in the big leagues. Two of those players made lasting legacies to say the least. Greg Maddux, he of the 355 career wins and future residence in the Hall of Fame, went 13-9 with a 3.19 ERA, pitching six complete games. He was joined by 20-year-old outfielder Rafael Palmeiro, who in just 73 games hit .297 with five home runs and 51 RBI.

A year later the Chiefs made their last playoff run as a first-time Cubs affiliate, doing so with another pair of big league stalwarts. Three-time MLB All-Star Mark Grace hit .342 in 126 games. Three-time, and possibly soon to be four-time, World Series champ Joe Girardi was the back stop of the '86 club.

Plenty more there for a good read.