From winning youth baseball titles to having collegiate success to playing in the major leagues, Ilsley made an impact on every team he played on.

“Blazer was the best athlete by far,” Tony Byers. Jr., Ilsley’s former Alpena High hockey and baseball teammate, said, using Ilsley’s nickname. “He pushed me to be better. The guy was a winner.”

After his major league career was cut short by injury, Ilsley still found a way to make an impact, serving as a coach for nearly 20 years.

From his earliest days as an athlete, Ilsley’s natural talents were evident. At Alpena High, he was a multi-sport star, shining in both hockey and baseball.

News File Photo Alpena left-hander Blaise Ilsley delivers a pitch during a 1982 game against Bay City in this News file photo. Ilsley found success at all levels of baseball, playing on several championship teams in his youth and eventually played Major League baseball.

On the ice, Ilsley helped the Wildcats win a state championship in 1981 and graduated as the program’s No. 2 all-time scorer.

But he made his biggest mark in baseball.

As a youngster, Ilsley played on Alpena’s 1976 Little League state championship team and went on to help Alpena win Senior Babe Ruth state titles in 1980 and 1982, with an additional World Series title in 1982.

As a senior for the Wildcats, Ilsley was nearly untouchable. During the regular season, Alpena’s ace left-hander recorded 17 strikeouts in a win over Traverse City and then threw a two-hit, 16 strikeout gem in a presdistrict win over Bay City Central. He finished the season with an 8-1 record and an earned run average under 1.00.

Ilsley’s talent took him to Indiana State University, where he was a two-time All-Missouri Valley Conference selection. He still ranks among the Sycamores’ all-time leaders in earned run average (3.20), wins (24), complete games (17) and strikeouts (274) and is still among the school’s single-season leaders in innings pitched, wins, complete games and strikeouts.

News File Photo Alpena senior Blaise Ilsley is greeted by teammates after hitting a home run during a win over Traverse City in this 1982 News file photo. Ilsley made his mark as a pitcher, but was also a solid hitter and batted over .500 as a senior.

Isley took the next step in his baseball career when he was drafted by the Houston Astros in 1985. He went on to play 13 seasons for six big league clubs, including the Astros, Chicago Cubs, and St. Louis Cardinals.

Ilsley’s foray into pro baseball began with a strong start when he won 20 games in the minor leagues in 1986. Subsequent arm injuries led to his eventual release from the Astros. Ilsley did make it to the big leagues in 1994 with the Cubs, appearing on their Opening Day roster and making 10 appearances.

While Isley never made it back to the majors, he nonetheless found success on several teams he played on. He was a part of three Triple-A championship teams — the 1991 Tucson Toros, the 1993 Iowa Cubs, and the 1997 Buffalo Bisons.

After his playing career ended, he stayed in baseball as a coach and didn’t have to wait long to start. After his career ended in 1998, he became a pitching coach for the Winnipeg Goldeyes in 1999.

He served as pitching coach of the Sioux Falls Canaries in 2000 before working his way through the minor leagues.

Courtesy Photo/Indiana State University Indiana State pitcher and Alpena High alum Blaise Ilsley delivers a pitch in this file photo. Ilsley is still among the program’s leaders in several pitching categories.

“It’s something I always thought about as a player, but you don’t really think (seriously) about it until your career is over,” Ilsley told The News in 2013.

In 2002, Ilsley joined the Cardinals as a minor league coach. He served as pitching coach for several of the Cardinals’ Double-A clubs, including the New Haven Ravens (2002), Tennessee Smokies (2003-2004) and Springfield Cardinals (2005-2007) and then joined the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds in 2008.

Ilsley returned to the major leagues in 2013, when he was chosen as the Cardinals’ bullpen coach, serving in that capacity until 2017.

Ilsley, who was inducted into the Alpena Sports Hall of Fame in 2007, told The News in 2013 the role of coach is one that’s been very rewarding.

He said he most enjoys “the relationship with the guys and trying to help them with their skills. You make relationships with them that last a long time.”

Courtesy Photo/Indiana State University Alpena High alum Blaise Ilsley is pictured during his time with the Iowa Cubs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Ilsley played 13 seasons of baseball and made 10 appearances for the Chicago Cubs in 1994.

Courtesy Photo/Indiana State University A headshot of Alpena High alum Blaise Ilsley during his time playing for Indiana State University.