PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Beavers right-handed pitcher Mike Ekstrom has been selected to represent the Pacific Coast League in the 2009 Cricket Wireless Triple-A All-Star Game at PGE Park on Wednesday, July 15, the PCL announced today.Ekstrom, who is a native of the Portland area, joins manager Randy Ready and broadcasters Rich Burk and Tim Hagerty as Beavers representatives in the 22nd-annual contest that pits the top players from the Pacific Coast League against those from the Triple-A International League. All 30 Triple-A teams will be represented in the mid-season showcase at PGE Park.
Ekstrom, 25, was San Diego Padres Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2006 and has now been named to four All-Star games since beginning his professional career in 2004; previously, he was a Northwest League (2004), Midwest League (2005) and California League (2006) All-Star.
In 30 appearances (1 start) for Portland this season, Ekstrom, who attended Sam Barlow High School in Gresham, Ore., is 3-1 with a 2.08 ERA (10er, 43.1ip) and 30 strikeouts. A 12th-round selection of the Padres in the 2004 draft, Ekstrom made his major league debut with San Diego in 2008 and has appeared in two games with the club this season, allowing just one hit in one scoreless inning.
Ekstrom's inclusion marks the eighth time in the Beavers' nine seasons back in the PCL that a Portland pitcher was named to the PCL All-Star team. Last season, pitcher Edwin Moreno represented the Beavers in the Triple-A All-Star Game, which was held in Louisville, Ky.
Both PCL and IL All-Star teams are selected by club personnel, field managers, media representatives and through online fan balloting. This year's game marks the 12th consecutive season that teams representing the PCL and IL have met; the prior 10 meetings pitted National League affiliates against American League affiliates.
The International League All-Star team will be announced Thursday.
Ready, now in his second season as Portland's manager, will guide the PCL club, which has a 6-5 advantage over the IL in the 11 years under the current format. Ready will be joined by Sacramento hitting coach Brian McArn, Tacoma pitching coach Dwight Bernard and Tacoma athletic trainer Tom Newberg.
Former Portland manager and current Louisville Bats skipper, Rick Sweet, will manage the International League squad. Sweet's field staff is rounded out by Norfolk manager Gary Allenson, Buffalo manager Ken Oberkfell and Rochester athletic trainer Tony Leo. Sweet, a native of Longview, Wash., managed the Beavers from 2001-03.
The Cricket Wireless Triple-A All-Star Game will be broadcast at 7 p.m. (Pacific) by ESPN2, with Beavers play-by-play broadcaster Rich Burk joining former major league All-Star and one-time Beaver Eric Young and Baseball America's John Manuel on the air. The game can be heard locally on KKAD AM-1550 and on the Internet at www.portlandbeavers.com with Portland's Tim Hagerty and Rochester's Josh Whetzel calling the action.
PORTLAND BEAVERS TRIPLE-A ALL-STAR GAME PARTICIPANTS 2001 - Sean Burroughs (3B) 2002 - Dave Lundquist (RHP), Alex Pelaez (3B) 2003 - Rick Sweet (Manager), Tagg Bozied (1B), Bernie Castro (2B) 2004 - Marty McLeary (RHP), John Maxwell (Athletic Trainer), *Bart Miadich (RHP) 2005 - Clay Hensley (RHP), J.J. Furmaniak (3B), *Brad Baker (RHP) 2006 - Justin Leone (3B) 2007 - Jack Cassel (RHP) 2008 - *Brian Myrow (1B), Edwin Moreno (RHP) 2009 - Randy Ready (Manager), Mike Ekstrom (RHP), Rich Burk (Broadcaster), Tim Hagerty (Broadcaster)
*Selected but did not play
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