Lake Land College coach Gene Creek saw big talent in his first baseman Todd Blakeman, enough to make some big comparisons, according to The Herold and Review in April 1990.
Blakeman, Creek told The Herold and Review, might be as good as two others he once coached, major leaguers Gary Gaetti and Glenn Brummer.
"Todd has put up statistics just as good as Gaetti or Brummer," Creek told The Herold and Review. "If that's any indication of his potential, he has a great future ahead of him."
Blakeman eventually did turn pro, but he never could come close to the heights of Gaetti or Brummer. Blakeman saw three pro seasons. He topped out at single-A.
Blakeman's career began that year in 1990, signed by the Twins out of Lake Land College in Illinois.
Blakeman began with the Twins at rookie Elizabethton. He got into 49 games and hit .233. He also hit five home runs.
Blakeman was pleased with how his first year went, he told The Mattoon Journal Gazette in March 1991.
"That first year was really good experience for me," Blakeman told The Journal Gazette. "It matured me both as a player and person."
Blakeman played 1991 at single-A Kenosha. He saw 113 games and hit .205. He then returned to Kenosha for 1992. He played in just 35 games and hit .212. That second season at Kenosha proved his last as a pro.
Blakeman soon returned home to Illinois and became a teacher and high school basketball coach. He coached 16 seasons before stepping away briefly in 2021 with a 270-200 record. He returned in 2023.
"I think his record speaks volumes," Glenwood athletic director Dusty Burk told The Springfield State Journal-Register after his 2021 departure. "He's really elevated our program substantially. He's always done a tremendous job getting the most out of kids. He's been a great coach for us."
- Decatur Herald and Review, April 28, 1990: Lake Land team mows down foes
- Mattoon Journal Gazette, March 12, 1991: Todd Blakeman eyeing Kenosha
- Springfield State Journal-Register, April 10, 2021: Todd Blakeman resigns
Made the Majors:1,416-32.2
Never Made Majors:2,985-67.8%-X
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