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Express land eight on Texas League All-Star team

June 7, 2004 - Texas League (TL1) - Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas – The Round Rock Express will have a league-high eight members on the West Division squad of the 2004 Texas League All-Star team, the Texas League announced Monday.

The eight players are the most the Express have ever had in the All-Star Game.

Leading the way will be the Round Rock infield, with first baseman Todd Self, second baseman Brooks Conrad and shortstop Tommy Whiteman set to start.

In his first year at Double-A, Self has become one of the biggest offensive threats in the league. He is second in the league in hits (72), runs (43) and RBI (44) and is third in batting average (.340).

Despite being hobbled with an injured ankle for the past month, Conrad has been one of the most consistent players for the Express. HeÂ’s hitting .291 and has driven in 31 runs, good for third on the team.

Making his second All-Star Game appearance, Whiteman has had a breakout year. He leads the league in hits (77) to go along with a .332 average and a team-best seven home runs.

Although an injured hip flexor has kept him out of the lineup of late, centerfielder Willy Taveras could make a claim of being the TL MVP. He leads the league with 29 stolen bases and a .356 average and has already proven that he is Major League ready in the field.

On the mound, four Express hurlers made the team, led by closer Santiago Ramirez.

After missing most of 2003 with a shoulder injury, Ramirez has returned with a vengeance, saving 19 games, good for second best in Minor League Baseball.

Mike Burns has also had a remarkable turnaround. After losing a TL high 13 games in 2003, Burns has become one of the best setup men in Round Rock history. He’s won seven games – second in the league – to go along with a 1.46 ERA.

From the rotation, D. J. Houlton and Tim McClaskey got the call. As Round RockÂ’s ace, Houlton has gone 4-2 and is second in the league in strikeouts (70) and is seventh in earned-run average (3.41).

McClaskey makes it to the All-Star Game after playing in an independent league this time last year. HeÂ’s split time between the rotation and bullpen, but has been solid in either role. HeÂ’s gone 3-1 and is sixth in league in ERA (3.10).

The 2004 Texas League All-Star Game is scheduled for June 21st in Midland.

The entire West Division team:

Pos Player Team

1B Todd Self Round Rock

2B Brooks Conrad Round Rock

SS Tommy Whiteman Round Rock

3B Mark Teahen Midland*

C John Baker Midland

OF Dustin Delucchi San Antonio

OF Josh Kroeger El Paso

OF Willy Taveras Round Rock

DH Marland Williams El Paso

IF Gregg Dobbs San Antonio

IF Sergio Santos El Paso

OF Freddy Bynum Midland

C Chris Snyder El Paso

P Shane Bazzell Midland

P Mike Burns Round Rock

P Lance Cormier El Paso*

P Matt Henrie El Paso

P D. J. Houlton Round Rock

P Shane Komine Midland

P Chris Mabeus Midland*

P Tim McClaskey Round Rock

P Santiago Ramirez Round Rock

P Pete Sikaras El Paso

* Will not play due to promotion to Triple-A

The East Division squad:

Pos Player Team

1B Jason Botts Frisco

2B Ruben Gotay Wichita

SS Alberto Callaspo Arkansas

3B Dallas McPherson Arkansas

OF Dee Brown Wichita

OF Shawn Garrett Tulsa

OF Nick Gorneault Arkansas

DH Ryan Shealy Tulsa

IF Danny Sandoval Tulsa

OF Jaime Jones Wichita

C Jeff Smith Frisco

P Tim Bittner Arkansas

P Eric Cyr Arkansas

P Jeff Francis Tulsa

P Sam Narron Frisco

P Ryan Speier Tulsa

P Billy Sylvester Frisco

P Erik Thompson Frisco

P Jake Woods Arkansas


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Texas League Stories from June 7, 2004


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