Cael Sanderson to attend World Series Game 4

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John Fuller (USA Wrestling)
10/27/2004


Olympic gold medalist Cael Sanderson (Ames, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) will attend Game 4 of the 2004 World Series in St. Louis, Mo. on Wednesday evening as a guest of St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Steve Kline.    In the off-season, Kline, a left-handed pitcher for the Cardinals, spends his time as a youth and high school wrestling coach in Pennsylvania.    He has invited Sanderson and his wife Kelly to tonight's game. Sanderson will meet with the St. Louis players in the locker room before observing batting practice from the dugout.    Kline is considered one of the top relief pitchers in Major League Baseball. In 67 appearances this season for the team with baseball's best record, Kline posted a 1.79 ERA (earned run average) to go along with a 2-2 record and three saves. He struck out 35 batters in 50 1/3 innings.    However, he missed much of the last month of the season due to a groin injury, and it was while he was out that a tear of the flexor tendon in his left index finger flared up. It has been discovered that he has a 70 percent tear of the tendon, and he was limited to three appearances this postseason due to the injury before being left of the World Series roster.    Sanderson won an Olympic gold medal at the 2004 Games at 84 kg/185 lbs. in men's freestyle wrestling after already posting a stellar college and international wrestling career.    As a collegian, Sanderson became the first wrestler in NCAA history to complete his career undefeated (159-0) with four NCAA individual titles while at Iowa State. His accomplishment was named the second-greatest college achievement by Sports Illustrated and he won an ESPY Award in 2002 for Best Male College Athlete.    In 2003, Sanderson broke through on the international scene, winning a silver medal at the 2003 World Championships in men's freestyle wrestling.    The Boston Red Sox currently hold a 3-0 lead in the World Series over St. Louis.    To contact Sanderson about possible media opportunities during tonight's game, contact USA Wrestling's John Fuller at (719) 640-5815.