'Birds headed to Beijing
July 17, 2008 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Memphis Redbirds News Release
Memphis, Tenn. - Two Memphis Redbirds have been selected to compete for Team USA at the Olympics in Beijing this August.
Redbirds shortstop Brian Barden and Cardinals top prospect Colby Rasmus were both named to the USA Baseball Olympic team yesterday. The pair will compete with other 22 other players in the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing starting August 8-24.
Manager Davey Johnson will lead 12 pitchers and 11 position players in the games after the U.S. failed to qualify in the last summer games in 2004.
Barden has played in 89 games and started 80 at shortstop for the Redbirds. He is second on the team in hits (108) and third in batting average (.303). The Tucson, AZ resident is in his first full season in the Cardinals organization after being drafted and spending six seasons in the Arizona Diamondbacks system. Barden is also in his first season playing primarily at shortstop. Prior to 2008, he played mostly at third base and has never played more than 20 games in a season at short.
Rasmus continues his connection with USA Baseball with the Olympic Team selection. The centerfielder and Cardinals top prospect, according to Baseball America, played for Team USA last summer in the World Cup in Beijing. He hit .286 (6-for-21) in six games. This year, the Phenix City, AL native is hitting .249 and leads the Redbirds in stolen bases and walks. Rasmus is coming off a groin injury in which forced him to miss a week before the all-star break. The 21-year-old is in his fourth professional season after being drafted by the Cardinals in the first round of the 2005 draft.
The Olympic baseball tournament begins August 13 and concludes the 23. Team USA did not qualify for the last summer games but won the gold medal in 2000 in Sydney.
Pacific Coast League Stories from July 17, 2008
- Grizzlies busy after break - Fresno Grizzlies
- Beavers' All-Star Celebration Tops List of Activities During Homestand - Portland Beavers
- 'Birds headed to Beijing - Memphis Redbirds
- Keith Anderson, Beltan Statue On Tap - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Zephyrs' Knight Named To Olympic Baseball Team - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Zephyrs Open Second Half At Home Friday - New Orleans Baby Cakes
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- Zephyrs Open Second Half At Home Friday - New Orleans Baby Cakes
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