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Monday - April 2, 2007

Alumni news: Kainer update

We spotted Carson Kainer at Disch-Falk a couple of times early in the season. He looked to be in fine form. And, today I found a very nice article about him on the mlb.com site. Quote:

Other than two NBA players, Sean Elliott and Alonzo Mourning, no major professional athletes have been known to resume their careers after having kidney transplants.

"One thing that keeps me going and working harder is knowing I have a chance to be a pioneer for the sport," Kainer said.

[...]

Because of his condition, Kainer will not begin at the Rookie League level with the Reds right away as originally hoped. Cincinnati was aware of his situation and drafted him anyway.

"It was a decision based on his career at Texas," said Grant Griesser, the Reds assistant director of player development. "He was a really good hitter there. Once the medical clearance that he could do this was given by his surgeon, I think the scouting department figured this would be a good guy to get into the mix, get him down here and see what we can do with him."

Posted by Joanna at 7:19 PM