DAN BILYEU
Dan played American Legion Baseball in the early 60’s for Sheridan Post 7. He went on to coach at the local level for over 20 years. After coaching he became involved in the local boards and spent 27 years running the Sheridan American Legion baseball program, always putting the interest of the players first in every decision he made. He served on the State Board under two commissioners from 1991 to 2014. He was elected the State Commissioner in 2014 and served for 2 years. Dan was also an Associate Scout for the Atlanta Braves from 1993 through 1996. In 2002 Dan received the Lloyd Seaman for outstanding service to American Legion Baseball in the State of Wyoming. Dan resides in Sheridan and is still active in the Sheridan American Legion Baseball program. Dan is one of those people who is responsible for the program we have today. American Legion Baseball has been fortunate to have Dan his energy and leadership developing the programs we have today.
DICK CHENEY
Dick Cheney Played American Legion Baseball in Casper, Wyoming in 1957 and 1958. He went on to attend Yale University and the University of Wyoming. He was the White House Chief of Staff from 1975 thorough 1977 and served 5 terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1979 through 1989. He was the House Minority Whip in 1989. He served as the Secretary of Defense under President George H. W. Bush from 1989 through 1993. Mr. Cheney was the Chairman and CEO of Haliburton from 1995 to 2000. He served under George W. Bush as the 46 th Vice President Vice President of the United States from 2001 through 2009. Dick and his wife Lynn reside in Jackson, Wy.
MIKE DEVEREAUX
Mike played Legion baseball in Casper from 1979 through 1981. He went to Mesa State and Arizona State, and then was drafted in the 5 th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1985. In 3 years in the major leagues, Mike played for the Dodgers, Orioles, White Sox Rangers and Braves. He finished his major league career with a lifetime .254 batting average, accumulating 170 doubles, 33 triples and 105 home runs. While in Atlanta, Mike was named the MVP of the National League Championship Series, and went on to play in the World Series with the Braves. Mike just finished his 8 th year as the hitting coach for the Rockies in Ashville, South Carolina. Mike and his wife Michelle have three girls and two boys and reside in Tampa Bay, Florida.
PAUL EASTRIDGE
Paul has been an avid supporter of baseball in Wyoming for the past 60 years. Starting as an umpire in Babe Ruth and American Legion baseball in 1957, Paul not only managed teams but served on various boards throughout his career. In 1961, Paul was appointed the District Commissioner for the State of Wyoming representing Post 2. He served on the Casper Legion Baseball board from 1962 to 1980; served as the assistant to the Commissioner for the State of Wyoming from 1981 to 1986, and was appointed the State Commissioner in 1987. Paul served as the State Commissioner until 2014. During his tenure as State Commissioner, Paul was instrumental in developing the groundwork for the program we have today. Paul has been involved in 6 Regional and 2 World Series tournaments from Connecticut to California and has served the program with distinction and honor. Paul is still an active member of the Post. Paul and his wife Barbara have 3 daughters and reside in Casper, Wy.
CHRIS HODGES
Chris played American Legion baseball in Jackson from 2001 through 2004 and was a huge part of the first ever Legion State Championship team in Jackson. He was a passionate baseball player who excelled at a very early age and continued to excel through his Legion career. After his playing career ended, he begin chasing his dream of coaching at the collegiate level. It was apparent in the early stages of his new career, that his passion for the game had carried over into his coaching. Chris started in Jackson, then went to Casper, Gillette and then into Montana. Chris coached in Washington, Arizona, Iowa and Nebraska, honing his skills and continuing to move up the ranks. He was on a recruiting trip for Iowa Western, when his life was tragically taken in an auto accident. Chris left and lasting impression on players, parents and coaches wherever he was and was lost to all of us way to early. Chris was an amazing son, brother, player, coach and friend and is dearly missed by his friends and family. Chris truly believed that you must always live your life like a 3-1 count and continues to encourage us to do the same each and every day. Chris is survived by his parents Gary and Karen and brother Dennis who live in Jackson, Wy.
JOSH KALINOWSKI
Josh Kalinowski played American Legion Baseball in Casper Wyoming from 1991 through 1993. He went to Indian Hills Junior College and the University of Minnesota, where he was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 32 nd round of the major league player draft. Josh played for 6 years in the Rockies minor league program posting 561 strikeouts and a 3.45 ERA. Josh held the Rockies minor league record for most strikeout for 13 years. He was named the Rockies minor league pitcher of the year and League MVP for two years in a row. After numerous surgeries, Josh come home to Casper where he now owns Coldwell Banker Real Estate. Josh and his wife Kate have 2 sons and 2 daughters and coaches a youth baseball team.
MARK LEE
Mark Lee played American Legion baseball in Casper, Wyoming from 1979 to 1981. He continued his career at Trinidad State Junior College and went on to play Florida International University. Mark was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 15 th round of the 1985 player draft. Mark played 13 years of professional baseball with 9 different organizations, posting a 4.05 ERA in the minor leagues and a 3.83 ERA in the major leagues with the Royals, Brewers and Orioles. Mark accumulated 392 strikeouts over 484 innings during his career and was ranked 25 th in pitching in the American League in 1991. Mark is the Operations Manager for UPS. He and his wife Janet along with their son and daughter reside in Colorado Springs, Co.
RON PORTER
Ron Porter played a significant factor in the growth of American Legion baseball in the State of Wyoming as an umpire. He worked for more than 40 as an umpire and served as the Umpire in Chief under five different State commissioners for 30 of those years. Ron umpired in over 60 State A and AA tournament games from 1977 to 2010, and 6 Northwest Regional Tournaments throughout his career. Ron started the first statewide umpiring association and would travel around the state conducting clinics and doing evaluations with the goal of improving the consistency and accountability within the Wyoming umpiring community. The work and dedication Ron put in the American Legion Baseball program is a perfect example of the Love of the Game. Ron always said “If it sounds like a strike, then it’s a strike”. Ron and his wife Toi, have three children and reside in Riverton, Wy.