FSL1 Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

Six Miracle Players Chosen for League All-Star Game

Published on May 29, 2008 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release


FORT MYERS, FL (May 29, 2008)-The Fort Myers Miracle are being rewarded for the best start in team history, with a team record six selections to the 47th Florida State League All-Star Game. The teams were announced today by League President Chuck Murphy. The All-Star Game will be played at Space Coast Stadium, home of the Brevard County Manatees will host the game on Saturday, June 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Fort Myers begins the night with the top winning percentage in the FSL (34-18, .654) The Miracle hold a four-game lead in the West Division, with 18 games remaining in the first half.

The squad is highlighted by pitchers Jeff Manship, Rob Delaney, Anthony Slama and infielders Danny Valencia and Brian Dinkelman. Outfielder Rene Tosoni was selected, but will miss the game due to a broken leg.

Manship, Delaney, Valencia and Dinkelman were named to the Midwest League All-Star Game last season while playing for Beloit and current Miracle manager Jeff Smith.

Manship leads the pitching staff with six victories. The Boerne, Texas native is a former 14th round pick of the Twins in the 2006 MLB Draft. He is 6-2 with a 3.11 ERA and has struck out a team-high 55 batters in 63.2 innings pitched.

Delaney, a non-drafted free agent from St. Johns University, has been a viable member of the bullpen in 2008. The River Vale, New Jersey product has 11 saves in 14 opportunities. He has only walked three batters in 26.1 innings.

Slama, a 39th round pick of the Twins in 2007, has been slamming the door on opponents all season long. The second-year pro has nine saves in nine chances and a minuscule ERA of 0.32. A product of the University of San Diego, Slama has struck out 46 batters in 28.1 innings pitched.

Valencia gets the nod at third base. The former University of Miami Hurricane is second in the league with 42 RBI. The 23-year old infielder is hitting .347 this season and has amassed a career professional batting average of .310 in 222 games.

Dinkelman continues his solid production at the top of the Miracle lineup. The Irvington, Illinois native is batting .315 and leads the team with eight stolen bases.

Tosoni was batting a robust .325 before suffering an injury on May 16. The Twins made the British Columbia native their 36th round pick in the 2005 MLB Draft. He is expected to re-join the Miracle later in the season.

East All-Star Team members represent Brevard County, Daytona Beach, Jupiter, Palm Beach, St. Lucie and Vero Beach. The West All-Star Team represents Clearwater, Dunedin, Fort Myers, Lakeland, Sarasota and Tampa. The All-Star Players, Coaches and Umpires will be honored at events during the All-Star Weekend.

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Florida State League Stories from May 29, 2008


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