Closer Dusty Keppen To Represent Schaumburg In Upcoming NL All-Star Game
July 19, 2002 - Northern League (NL)
Schaumburg Flyers News Release
SCHAUMBURG, IL- Schaumburg Flyers RHP Dusty Keppen has been named to the 2002 Northern League-Central All-Star Team. The NL-Central All-Star squad will take on the Northern League-East All-Stars at the upcoming Northern League All-Star Game, set for August 6 in Quebec City, Canada.
Winnipeg Manager Hal Lanier chose Keppen for an All-Star spot in his role as the Northern League-Central All-Star Manager. NL-Central managers and media members elected the All-Star starting lineup while Lanier selected the pitching staff and two reserve players.
Keppen, 25, has anchored the Flyers bullpen throughout the season, posting a team high nine saves, a 2-1 won/lost record and a 2.10 ERA. The right-hander's save total places him in a third-place tie on the league leaderboard prior to Friday's games. Keppen has also been durable all season, ranking second in the league in appearances with 26 games on his pitching ledger.
Keppen is the first pitcher in the four-year history of the Flyers franchise to earn a trip to the Northern League All-Star Game. He has risen to All-Star status after a two-year absence from professional baseball. The former Division II All-American pitched in the Northern League in 1999, appearing in 17 games as a rookie with the Sioux Falls Canaries. At the conclusion of the '99 season, Keppen was named Pitching Coach at his alma mater, Kennesaw (GA) St. University. He decided to resume his playing career last off-season and signed with Schaumburg in January.
Keppen's performance this season has enabled him to rapidly climb the Flyers' all-time pitching charts. The Georgian already ranks second on Schaumburg's career saves list and is also one save shy of tying the team's single-season record for saves. Keppen is the younger brother of former Flyers pitcher Jeff Keppen. The elder Keppen pitched briefly for Schaumburg during the team's 1999 inaugural season and made the 2000 Northern League Central All-Star Team while playing for Winnipeg. Jeff Keppen now pitches professionally in Korea.
Northern League Stories from July 19, 2002
- An All-Star Effort - Joliet JackHammers
- Closer Dusty Keppen To Represent Schaumburg In Upcoming NL All-Star Game - Schaumburg Flyers
- Thompson Named to All-Star Roster - Duluth-Superior Dukes
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