EL1 Altoona Curve

Curve place league-high six players on All-Star roster

June 29, 2006 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


ALTOONA -The Altoona Curve will be represented by a league-high six players at the 2006 UPMC Health Plan Eastern League All-Star Game at Blair County Ballpark on July 12, the Eastern League announced today.

Altoona pitchers Landon Jacobsen, Brandon Knight and Shane Youman are joined by infielder Simon Pond and outfielders Vic Buttler and Brett Roneberg on the Southern Division's All-Star roster.

The 2006 UPMC Health Plan Eastern League All-Star Game will feature some of the brightest stars from the league's 12 teams, as the top players from the Eastern League's Southern Division (Akron Aeros, Altoona Curve, Bowie Baysox, Erie SeaWolves, Harrisburg Senators and Reading Phillies) will square off against All-Star players from the league's Northern Division clubs (Binghamton Mets, Connecticut Defenders, New Britain Rock Cats, New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Portland Sea Dogs and Trenton Thunder).

Each roster consists of 25 players, including at least three players from each of the Eastern League's 12 teams. Every club is also represented by at least one position player and one pitcher, as selected by fans of each respective team through Rite Aid Fan Balloting at the 12 E.L. ballparks. The remaining selections were made through voting by league media, managers and officials. The field staffs of the host Altoona Curve (Pirates) and defending Northern Division champion Portland Sea Dogs, led by managers Tim Leiper and Todd Claus, will serve as the coaches for the contest.

Buttler has been the Curve's most potent offensive weapon this season, leading the squad in batting average (.318), hits (82), triples (13), slugging percentage (.539) and stolen bases (11). The 25-year old was named E.L. Player of the Week for the week of May 8 after hitting .393 (11-for-28) with a double, four triples, four RBI and five runs scored in seven games during the week. Buttler was selected to the All-Star Game as part of the fan's balloting process.

Jacobsen is currently tied for the fourth-most victories in the Eastern League with seven. The right-hander became the first-ever Curve pitcher to open a season with four wins in his first four starts when he began the 2006 campaign 4-0. The 27-year old was promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis on June 11, but returned to Altoona and threw the team's first complete-game shutout of the season against the Harrisburg Senators on June 22.

Knight has been voted to the All-Star Game by Curve fans as part of the E.L.'s fan balloting process in his first Eastern League season after signing with Pittsburgh as a free agent during the off-season. The former major-leaguer has converted 13 of his 14 save opportunities out of the Curve bullpen this season and is tied for the third most saves in the league. The 29-year old enjoyed a team-high 17 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings pitched streak from April 25 - June 2.

Pond has been a solid producer in middle of the Curve lineup all season long, leading the club with 48 RBI and ranking second on the team with nine homeruns. The 13-year veteran is playing for his fifth different Eastern League team and entering Thursday's game, possesses an 11-game hitting streak, the third double-digit streak for the Curve in 2006.

Roneberg was named to the All-Star team despite missing the first 2 1/2 weeks of the season with a strained back. The 27-year old spent the entire 2003 season with the Curve before being traded to the Boston Red Sox and being named a 2004 Eastern League All-Star as a member of the Portland Sea Dogs. The left fielder ranks ninth in the league in batting average (.297) and fourth in runs scored (43) and tied a Curve record on May 3 with five hits in a game against the Erie SeaWolves.

Youman will be appearing in his first Eastern League All-Star Game in his second full season with the Altoona Curve. The right-hander has a team-low 1.63 ERA this season and is 5-2 in 18 appearances. One of the most reliable arms for the Curve, Youman has enjoyed success both as a starter and out of the bullpen. Originally selected by the Pirates in the 2001 draft, Youman appeared in one game this season for the Indianpolis Indians, pitching two innings of relief in his Triple-A debut on May 11.

The 2006 UPMC Health Plan Eastern League All-Star Game will be surrounded by two days of ballpark and community events, highlighted by the All-Star Gala Event on Tuesday night, July 11th at Blair County Ballpark.

Tickets for both the UPMC Health Plan Eastern League All-Star Game and the All-Star Gala Event-featuring a concert by rock icon Eddie Money-are currently on sale by calling toll-free at (877) 99-CURVE or by visiting the Curve Ticket Office at Blair County Ballpark. Fans can also secure seats to both events on-line at AltoonaCurve.com.

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Eastern League Stories from June 29, 2006


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