PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Quartet of 'Topes Named to Triple-A All-Star Game

Published on July 3, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Pacific Coast League has unveiled its 2008 All-Star Team and the Albuquerque Isotopes are well represented, with four players selected to the squad that will battle the International League in the 21st annual Triple-A All-Star Game in Louisville, Kentucky on July 16. Third baseman Dallas McPherson, outfielder John Gall, and catcher John Baker have each been elected to start the game at their respective positions, while left-hander Chris Seddon was selected for the team's pitching staff. A total of four players is the most the Isotopes have ever had chosen to participate in the annual Triple-A mid-summer classic and Albuquerque is the most-represented franchise on this year's team.

McPherson enters today's play leading all of Professional Baseball with 29 home runs to go along a PCL-leading .697 slugging percentage. McPherson, who also boasts a .307 batting average, is tied for fourth in the PCL with 42 extra-base hits, and is fifth in the League in runs scored with 58. Earlier this month, the slugging third baseman equaled a Minor League record by homering in seven straight games. This will be McPherson's first Triple-A All-Star Game appearance and he will also take part in the annual Triple-A Home Run Derby, taking place on Monday, July 14.

Ranking third in the PCL with 68 RBI, Gall is also among the league's top 10 with a batting average of .334 to go along with 98 hits, tied for fourth in the Pacific Coast League, and 25 doubles, fifth most in the circuit. This year's Triple-A All-Star selection is Gall's second, as the outfielder represented the Memphis Redbirds in the 2004 game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

Also making his second All-Star game is Baker, who has been a stalwart all season behind the plate for the 'Topes, batting .317 with 34 runs, six homers, and 31 RBI. The back-stop is also ninth in the PCL in caught stealing percentage, throwing out 12 of 36 would be base-stealers (.333 percentage) on the year. Baker was selected to take part in the 2006 Triple-A All-Star Game in Toledo, Ohio as a member of the Sacramento River Cats.

Lefty Seddon makes the squad after ranking in the top 10 in the PCL in ERA for much of the season and currently boasts a 6-6 record with a 4.07 ERA in 17 appearances (16 starts). The south-paw has been particularly dominant at Isotopes Park, a hitter-haven, going 5-2 with a 3.51 ERA in eight starts at The Lab. This year's selection marks Seddon's first to the Triple-A All-Star Game.

Since the team's inception in 2003, the Isotopes have had 10 players selected to play in the Triple-A All-Star Game, including current Major Leaguers Josh Willingham, Joe Dillon, and Robert Andino (twice). The game will be played at Louisville Slugger Field on July 16at 5:05 PM MT and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.

Tomorrow, the 'Topes return home for a spectacular July 4th weekend at The Lab. Berm seating for the Independence Day match-up with New Orleans is on sale now exclusively at the Isotopes Park Box Office. Tickets for any other game can be purchased at Isotopes Park or any Ticketmaster outlet, www.ticketmaster.com, or Ticketmaster by phone 505-883-7800. For more information, visit www.albuquerquebaseball.com or call 505-924-2255

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 3, 2008


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