Little League World Series: The 20 Most Famous Past Competitors

The Little League World Series (LLWS) provides 15 minutes of fame for most of its participants.

But sometimes, these kids turn those athletic talents into something more and actually go from the Little League to the Big Leagues.

It's a pretty rare feat to extend those 15 minutes of fame, but not impossible.

Here are 20 of the most famous LLWS participants.

20. Wilson Alvarez

Alvarez played for Venezuela in the 1982 LLWS.

Alvarez was a journeyman pitcher for 14 seasons, playing for the White Sox, Rays and Dodgers.

His best days were with the White Sox, when he reached win totals of 15, 12, 13 and 15 over a five-year span. He made the All-Star Game in 1994.

Alvarez threw a no-hitter in his second career start, in 1991 against the Orioles.

19. Stephane Matteau

Matteau played for Quebec in the 1982 LLWS.

Matteau was a journeyman wing in the NHL for 13 seasons.

He is best remembered for his stellar play in the New York Rangers run to the Stanley Cup in 1994. Matteau scored two overtime goals against the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference Finals, in games three and seven.

18. Dan Wilson

Wilson played for Illinois in the 1981 LLWS.

Wilson was the catcher for the Mariners from 1994-2005. During that time, he made the All-Star Game in 1996 and went to the ALCS three times.

Wilson retired with a .995 fielding percentage, the sixth highest all-time for a catcher.

In 1998, Wilson hit an inside-the-park grand slam.

17. Lastings Milledge

Milledge played for Florida in the 1997 LLWS.

Milledge was the youngest player in the Majors in 2006, when he played for the Mets.

After a stint in Washington, Milledge is the starting left fielder for the Pirates.

He has a cheering section at PNC Park known as the “Milledge People.”

16. Colby Rasmus

Rasmus played for Alabama in the 1999 LLWS.

Rasmus is a second-year player for the Cardinals. He is their current starting centerfielder and usually bats fifth in the lineup.

Just last week, Rasmus hit his first career grand slam, helping the Cardinals sweep the Reds and take over first place in the NL Central.

15. Jason Marquis

Marquis played for New York in the 1991 LLWS.

Marquis is a pitcher for the Washington Nationals, but he is best known for his three years in St. Louis, where he made two World Series appearances. Ironically, he had his worst season in 2006 and didn't make any appearances during the Cards' championship run.

He had perhaps his best season last year, when he made his first All-Star appearance with the Rockies. But that hasn't translated to success this season. He has yet to earn a win in 2010.

Marquis also won the Silver Slugger award in 2005.

14. Carney Lansford

Lansford played for California in the 1969 LLWS.

Lansford was a productive third baseman for the Angels and Red Sox before he was traded to Oakland.

For the A's, Lansford generally batted behind Rickey Henderson and helped lead the A's to three straight World Series appearances in the late 80s. The A's won the 1989 World Series during that run.

Lansford had a .290 career batting average and hit 151 home runs. He also took home the 1981 batting title.

13. Matt Cassel

Cassel played for California in the 1994 LLWS.

Cassel is known for his strong play in relief of Tom Brady in the 2008 season, when Brady went down in Week One with a torn ACL and MCL. He led the Pats to 10 wins, although it wasn't good enough to make the playoffs.

The Pats franchised Cassel after the season and traded him to Kansas City, where he is now the starting QB.

12. Jason Bay

Bay played for British Columbia in the 1990 LLWS.

Bay was the guy the Red Sox traded for to replace malcontent Manny Ramirez, rescuing Bay from Pittsburgh.

In a season and a half in Boston, Bay put together a solid run. He hit 36 home runs and 119 RBI in 2009, helping him finish seventh in the MVP voting.

He signed with the Mets in the offseason, but has yet to find his groove.

11. Derek Bell

Bell played for Florida in the 1980 and 1981 LLWS.

Bell may not have incredible numbers, but he was an important member of the Killer B's that helped lead the Astros to three straight division championships in the late 90s.

Bell had a few very strong seasons in Houston. In 1995, he had the fourth highest batting average in the league (.334) and garnered MVP votes.

10. Ray Ferraro

Ferraro played for British Columbia in the 1976 LLWS.

Ferraro played in the NHL for 18 seasons, and racked up over 400 goals and 1,200 games played.

Ferraro almost led the Islanders to the 1993 Stanley Cup by sending home two overtime goals against the Capitals. He also assisted the game-winner in overtime of Game Seven against Pittsburgh. However, the Islanders couldn't get past Montreal, who went on to win the Stanley Cup. He had 13 goals and 20 assists in the playoffs.

After retiring in 2002, Ferraro went into broadcasting. He has worked for ESPN, NBC and TSN.

9. Rick Wise

Wise played for Oregon in the 1958 LLWS.

Wise played for several teams and made two All-Star appearances during his 18-year career, but is probably best known for being the winning pitcher in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series for Boston. It is considered by many to be the greatest game ever played; the one in which Carlton Fisk hit his famous walk-off home run.

In 1971, Wise threw a no-hitter against the Reds. He also hit two home runs in the game, becoming the only player to accomplish the feat.

Wise was also traded for two Hall of Famers, Steve Carlton and Dennis Eckersley.  

8. Brian Sipe

Sipe played for California in the 1961 LLWS.

Sipe was the quarterback for the Cleveland Browns for 10 seasons.

He is probably best known for throwing an interception in the end zone in a 1980 divisional playoff game against the Raiders, a play known as “Red Right 88.” Sipe took home NFL MVP honors that season.

He is currently the quarterbacks coach at San Diego State.

7. Boog Powell

Powell played for Florida in the 1954 LLWS.

Powell was a major factor in the Baltimore Orioles' glory days in the 60s and 70s. He took home the 1970 AL MVP and appeared in four All-Star Games.

Powell's Orioles won the World Series in 1966 and 1970. He also went to the World Series in 1969 and 1971.

He received five votes for the Hall of Fame in 1983, his only time on the ballot.

6. Billy Hunter

Hunter won the LLWS in 1955 for New Jersey.

Hunter's career has spanned three sports.

Hunter has been the executive director of the NBA Player's Association since 1996.

In between, he played football at Syracuse and was a wide receiver for the Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins for a season apiece.  

5. Chris Drury

Drury was the MVP for the Connecticut team that won the 1989 LLWS.

Drury is the captain of the New York Rangers.

At Boston College, Drury won the Hobey Baker Award for best college player. In the NHL, he won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche.

He was named to the 2010 Olympic team despite having a down season and against the advice of former Olympian Jeremy Roenick. But Drury delivered with the go-ahead goal against Canada. The U.S. took home silver.

4. Pierre Turgeon

Turgeon played with Matteau in the 1982 LLWS for Quebec.

Turgeon was the top pick in the 1987 draft by the Buffalo Sabres.

In 2005, he became the 34th player to score 500 goals. He played in four All-Star Games in his career.

Turgeon won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 1993.

3. Dwight Gooden

Gooden played in the 1979 LLWS for Florida.

Gooden was one of the most dominating pitchers of the 80s, until drugs derailed his career.

He became the youngest player to participate in the MLB All-Star Game in 1984. He took home the pitching Triple Crown in 1985, winning the NL Cy Young.

He won three World Series rings and was named to four All-Star teams. Gooden threw a no-hitter in 1996.

2. Jason Varitek

Varitek played in the 1984 LLWS for Florida.

Jason Varitek is the second player to play in the championship round of the LLWS, CWS and the World Series (Ed Vosberg was the other).

He was a key member of the 2004 and 2007 Red Sox World Series teams. He was appointed the third team captain in Red Sox history after Carl Yastzremski and Jim Rice.

He has also caught a MLB record four no-hitters.

1. Gary Sheffield

Sheffield played in the 1980 LLWS for Florida.

Sheffield possessed one of the most violently powerful swings in baseball, and he is a member of the 500 home run club.

He helped lead the Marlins to the 1997 World Series.

Sheffield is also Dwight Gooden's nephew.