Burke Selected to All Star Futures Game
June 23, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
The Round Rock Express wished they could go back to the future in the first half of the Texas League's 2003 season, but now they'll do the next best thing, send one of their players. Rosters for the fifth annual RadioShack All-Star Futures Game were announced today by Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball and Baseball America. Express 2B Chris Burke was the selected to the US Team Roster.
The RadioShack All-Star Futures Game will feature the top U.S. and international Minor League prospects competing against each other as part of RadioShack All-Star Sunday, July 13 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. The game will begin at 4:30 p.m. (CDT) and will be televised live on ESPN2. RadioShack All-Star Sunday is the first of three days of All-Star events at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, culminating with the 74th All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 15. The outcome of this year's All-Star Game will have implications for the 2003 postseason, as the League that wins the 74th All-Star Game will receive home field advantage in the 2003 World Series.
Burke was the only member of the Astros organization selected to either team. He becomes the fifth member of the Express to play in the game (Wilfredo Rodriguez '00, Jason Lane & Carlos Hernandez '01, John Buck '02). Tim Redding ('01) and Kirk Saarloos ('03) were also selected, but did not participate because of big league call-ups.
Burke ranked in the top five of several offensive categories in the first half including batting average (.316), steals (17), hits (96) and runs scored (50).
Major League Baseball, in conjunction with the 30 Major League clubs and Baseball America, selected the 25-man rosters for each team (U.S. Team and World Team). Each Major League organization is represented and the World Team features players from seven different foreign countries and Puerto Rico. Players from all full-season Minor Leagues were eligible to participate. "Major League Baseball is thrilled to provide baseball fans across the globe with this annual opportunity to see the future stars of our game," said Jimmie Lee Solomon, Senior Vice President, Baseball Operations for Major League Baseball. "The exceptional talents of the players who compete in this game each year is evidenced by the fact that in just four years nearly 50 percent of former RadioShack All-Star Futures Game players are now on Major League rosters."
There are currently a total of 76 players from the first four RadioShack All-Star Futures Games in the Major Leagues (see charts on page three). Five players selected to compete in this year's RadioShack All-Star Futures Game played in last year's game at Miller Park in Milwaukee, while one player participated in the 2001 game at SAFECO Field in Seattle and one player participated in the 2000 game at Turner Field in Atlanta.
Pacific Coast League Stories from June 23, 2003
- Sounds Streak Stretches To Seven Wins In A Row - Nashville Sounds
- Team effort gives Express winning record - Round Rock Express
- Harden Named PCL Pitcher of the Week - Sacramento River Cats
- Greene to Play in 2003 Futures Game - Portland Beavers
- Harden, DeFrancesco Selected To All-Star Futures Game - Sacramento River Cats
- Seung Song Selected to Play in Futures Game - Edmonton Trappers
- PCL Names Players of the Week - PCL1
- Burke Selected to All Star Futures Game - Round Rock Express
- Sox bats remain cold as Sox lose 3rd straight - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Zephyrs Take Rainiers, 7-5, in 15 Innings - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Ashcroft Appearance Highlight Sounds' 'Legal Professionals Night' - Nashville Sounds
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