Bixler named to IL's Postseason All-Star Team

August 28, 2007 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Indians infielder Brian Bixler has been named to the International League's 2007 Postseason All-Star Team. The 24-year-old enters Tuesday evening's contest with a .273 batting average, five home runs and 50 RBI in 123 Triple-A games this season.

Bixler ranks among the league leaders in triples (1st - 10), runs (T-2nd - 75) and stolen bases (T-4th - 27). He leads the Tribe in those categories, plus hits (124). The Triple-A rookie is batting .317 with runners in scoring position, .313 against left-handed pitchers and .302 in games played at Victory Field.

"Brian has been a solid contributor in his first Triple-A season," Indians Manager Trent Jewett says. "He did a nice job of settling in early, and has been consistent over the course of a very grueling year."

Bixler opened the 2007 campaign with back-to-back .300 months, hitting .329 (23-for-70) in April and .303 (30-for-99) in May. He was the IL's starting shortstop at this year's Triple-A All-Star Game.

"Brian is a calm kid on the exterior, but I think there's a fire that burns inside of him," Jewett adds. "He wants to grow, and he wants to succeed. Brian is a very talented kid -- he can hit for power, he can hit for average, he has some speed and he has some athletic ability."

Bixler has played in 110 games at shortstop and 13 contests at second base. He has committed just 15 errors in 538 total chances, and has been part of 87 double plays to this point in the season.

The Sandusky, Ohio, native played collegiately at Eastern Michigan University before being selected by the Pirates in the second round of the 2004 draft.

Bixler was the only Indians player recognized in a vote by the league's managers, coaches, media and club representatives.

Former Indianapolis skipper Dave Miley, who piloted Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2007, was named IL Manager of the Year. Mike Hessman (Toledo, Most Valuable Player), Kevin Slowey (Rochester, Pitcher of the Year) and Joey Votto (Louisville, Rookie of the Year) picked up the league's other specialty awards.

Visit the multimedia section of www.IndyIndians.com to watch several of Bixler's highlights from 2007.

International League Stories from August 28, 2007

• Columbus Snaps Tribe Streak - Indianapolis Indians
• Braves Regain Wildcard Lead - Gwinnett Stripers
• Bisons Name Ryan Mulhern Team MVP - Buffalo Bisons
• Former Tide Lifts Bulls - Norfolk Tides
• Bats Channel Power of Pink in 9-8 Win - Louisville Bats
• Bixler named to IL's Postseason All-Star Team - Indianapolis Indians
• First Pitch A Team Effort - Ottawa Lynx
• Miley named Manager of the Year - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees
• International League announces league All-Stars - Ottawa Lynx
• Orioles Recall Birkins, Designate Shuey For Assignment - Norfolk Tides
• Cory Doyne named to International League Postseason All-Star Team - Norfolk Tides
• 2007 International League All Star Team Named - IL1
• Hessman Named IL MVP - Toledo Mud Hens
• Bisons' Francisco Named IL All-Star - Buffalo Bisons
• Bisons Notes - Buffalo Bisons
• August Grand Slam Kid To Be Honored Wednesday - Gwinnett Stripers

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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