Justin Leone selected to represent PCL in Triple-A All-Star Game

Published on June 29, 2006 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Beavers third baseman Justin Leone today was selected to represent the Pacific Coast League in the 2006 Triple-A All-Star Game, which will be held Wednesday, July 12, at Fifth-Third Field in Toledo, Ohio.

The Triple-A All-Star Game pits the best players from the Pacific Coast League against the best from the Triple-A International League.

Leone, who garnered more on-line fan votes than any other PCL third baseman, is batting .285 with 12 home runs and 49 RBIs in a team-high 77 games this season with Portland. The eight-year professional got out to a fast start in his first campaign with the Beavers, hitting safely in each of his first eight games to start the year and batting .379 with eight home runs and 27 RBIs in April.

Leone leads the Beavers in games, at-bats (277), hits (79) and multi-hit games (22, tied).

The 29-year-old was a 13th-round selection of the Seattle Mariners in the 1999 draft and made his major league debut with the Mariners in 2004. Leone signed with the San Diego Padres as a minor league free agent on Nov. 9, 2005.

Leone's selection marks the fourth time in the Beavers' six seasons back in the PCL that a Portland third baseman was named to the PCL All-Star team.

Last season, pitcher Clay Hensley and infielder J.J. Furmaniak represented the Beavers in the Triple-A All-Star Game. Pitcher Brad Baker was named to the team but did not participate.

Both all-star teams were selected by club personnel, media representatives, league administrators and through on-line fan balloting. This year's game marks the ninth consecutive season that teams representing the PCL and IL have met; the prior 10 meetings pitted National League affiliates against American League affiliates.

Two former Beavers will join Leone on the PCL team, including catcher Mike Rivera (2002), now with Nashville, and shortstop Wilson Valdez (2005), who is with Las Vegas this season.

Four former Beavers were named to the International League All-Star team on Wednesday, including first basemen Kevin Witt (2001) and Kevin Barker (2002), pitcher Craig Breslow (2005) and veteran Ernie Young (2001), who marks his third trip to the Triple-A All-Star Game.

Toledo's Larry Parrish will manage the International League squad, while Omaha skipper Mike Jirschele will lead the Pacific Coast League All-Stars.

The PCL holds a 5-3 lead over the IL in Triple-A All-Star Game play.

The 19th-annual Triple-A All-Star Game will be broadcast across North America at 4 p.m. (Pacific) by ESPN2 and will be distributed by BCD Worldwide to a global radio audience. The game can be heard locally on KKAD AM-1550 and on the Internet at www.portlandbeavers.com.

PORTLAND BEAVERS TRIPLE-A ALL-STAR GAME PARTICIPANTS

2001 - Sean Burroughs (3B)

2002 - Dave Lundquist (RHP), Alex Pelaez (3B)

2003 - Rick Sweet (Manager), Tagg Bozied (1B), Bernie Castro (2B)

2004 - Marty McLeary (RHP), John Maxwell (Athletic Trainer), *Bart Miadich (RHP)

2005 - Clay Hensley (RHP), J.J. Furmaniak (3B), *Brad Baker (RHP)

2006 - Justin Leone (3B) *Selected but did not play

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 29, 2006


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