slides: Greatest Athletes In Rhode Island History: Blackstone Valley

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Kels Dayton, GoLocalProv Sports Contributor

 

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Blackstone Valley has a real major league presence. The area has produced eight--count 'em--eight former Major League Baseball players, including one of the greatest of all time in Woonsocket's Nap Lajoie. The Philadelphia A's and Cleveland Indians second baseman was one of the original inductees into the Hall of Fame and hit .348 over his stellar career.

Of course, you might expect Woonsocket to have produced its share of hockey talent, with the legendary Mount St. Charles high school program sitting within city limits. Brian Boucher, Mathieu Schneider, and 1997 Rookie of the Year Bryan Berard highlight the list of NHL players from the town.

There are a few names you might not expect (Cookie Gilchrist, AFL MVP) and some you probably remember from their high school days (Rocco Baldelli). Either way, Blackstone Valley boasts an impressive list of big-time talent.

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