NYPL Aberdeen IronBirds

Three IronBirds To Represent At All Star Game

Published on August 13, 2008 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Aberdeen IronBirds News Release


ABERDEEN-Left-handed pitcher Cole McCurry, catcher Caleb Joseph and outfielder Robbie Widlansky have been selected to represent the Aberdeen IronBirds on the American League All-Star Team at the 2008 New York-Penn League All-Star Game on Aug. 19 at Tri-City's Bruno Stadium in Troy, N.Y.

McCurry, who's gone 7-1 with a 2.67 ERA in 11 starts for Aberdeen this year, is tied for the league lead in wins and is fourth in ERA through Tuesday. Baltimore's 43rd-round selection in the 2007 MLB Draft out of Tennessee Wesleyan College, McCurry, 22, was all-but unhittable in July, going a perfect 6-0 while posting a 1.31 ERA in six starts on his way to picking up organizational pitcher of the month honors. Through just 54 team games, the southpaw has already broken a variety of Aberdeen franchise records, including the marks for wins in a season, wins in a month, wins in consecutive outings (six) and complete games in a season (two).

Joseph, the Orioles' seventh-round draft pick this year out of Lipscomb (Tenn.) University, has batted .283 with five home runs and 21 RBIs while seeing playing time at catcher, first base and right field. The 22-year-old has hit safely in 34 of the 45 games in which he's played and put together a career-best eight-game hitting streak from July 31 to Aug. 9, during which he went 13-for-33. The backstop has shown a certain defensive prowess as well, gunning down 35.6 percent of baserunners attempting to steal against him this year. Joseph, who is currently tied for second in the league with 14 doubles, etched his name in the Aberdeen record books on July 16 against Jamestown, becoming the first player in club history to go 5-for-5 at the plate while smacking two doubles and connecting for his first career home run as part of a four-RBI night.

A torrid July earned Widlansky his selection to the American League All-Star team, as the 23-year-old outfielder hit .328 during the month while belting three homers and driving in 21 runs, which set the IronBirds record for most RBIs in a calendar month. An 11th-round draft choice in the 2007 MLB Draft out of Florida Atlantic University, Widlansky hit safely in a season-best eight straight games from July 24-31, going 14-for-30 with five extra-base hits and 10 RBIs over that stretch. He also leads the team with three outfield assists.

The fourth-annual New York-Penn League All-Star Game will feature the circuit's best prospects who will suit up for either the American League or National League squad based on their club's affiliation. The American League squad will be guided by the Staten Island coaching staff and manager Pat McMahon, while Jamestown's Darin Everson will pilot the National League All-Stars.

Both teams will feature a 28-man roster. Batavia, Jamestown and Staten Island will each send six players to the game, tied for the most from any one of the league's 14 teams.

The number of all-stars coming from Aberdeen increased by one in each of the first three seasons of the event, as the team sent two players to the inaugural New York-Penn League All-Star Game in 2005 at Brooklyn's KeySpan park, three to the 2006 classic, which was held at Ripken Stadium, and four to Hudson Valley's Dutchess Stadium in 2007.

After dropping a 5-4 decision in 2005, the American League has taken each of the last two All-Star Games, winning 4-1 in 2006 and notching a 6-4 come-from-behind victory last year.

The Aberdeen IronBirds are the short-season Class-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles.

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