Pitcher Kevin Wickander: Iowa Time Machine January 4, 1965

Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On January 4, 1965, MLB pitcher Kevin Wickander was born in Fort Dodge. Wickander spent seven seasons in the major leagues, pitching for Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit, and Milwaukee.

Wickander's path to professional baseball took him far from Iowa. His family moved to Arizona, where he attended Cortez High School in Phoenix, just ten miles from what would become his college home. He later admitted he had never heard of Grand Canyon University until three months before enrolling. The timing proved fortuitous. In 1986, Wickander became the ace pitcher for the Grand Canyon Antelopes, leading them to victory in the NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho. The championship marked the school's fourth national title in seven years, cementing its status as a small-college baseball powerhouse.

Selected 30th overall by Cleveland in 1986, a three-year stint in the minor leagues eventually led Wickander to the show. Starting in low-A ball in Batavia, New York, Wickander made steady progress through High-A Kinston, AA Williamsport, and AAA Colorado Springs before making his first appearance late in the 1989 season. Officially rostered by Cleveland in 1990, Wickander embarked on a seven-year career that took him to Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit, and Milwaukee. He worked primarily out of the bullpen and recorded some strong performances early in his tenure. His 1992 season in Cleveland marked a high point, as he appeared in 67 games and posted a 2.06 earned run average, demonstrating his ability to handle high-pressure relief situations.

The left-hander from Fort Dodge never became a household name or an All-Star. His career numbers tell a modest story: 101 strikeouts, a 4.02 ERA, and two saves across 137 appearances. However, Wickander stands as just one of sixteen players from Grand Canyon's program who have reached the major leagues. #Iowa #OTD #History #MLB #Baseball