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PCL1 Pacific Coast League

Triple-A All-Star Teams Announced

June 26, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1) News Release


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo –The Pacific Coast League and International League have announced the teams that will represent their respective circuits in the 16th annual Triple-A All-Star Game to be played July 16th at AutoZone Park in Memphis, Tennessee, with both units comprised of at least one player from every Triple-A club.

Both teams were selected by club field personnel, media representatives, and League administrators, marking the sixth consecutive season that teams representing the Pacific Coast League and International League have met, with the prior 10 meetings pitting National League affiliates against their counterparts in the American League. The Game will also be broadcast nationally at 7:05 pm Central Time both on television, by ESPN2, and radio on the Sporting News Radio Network, as well as around the world on Armed Forces Radio.

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE PUNCTUATED BY POWER

The PCL will have plenty of power available for All-Star Manager Rick Sweet, including Albuquerque's Rob Stratton, who leads all of professional baseball with 26 home runs. Stratton is not the only Pacific Coast League All-Star with a penchant for the long-ball, as the team includes Sacramento first baseman Dave McCarty, who is fifth in the League in homers (14) and first in runs batted in (62). The PCL roster also includes the game's only .400 hitter in Las Vegas outfielder Bubba Crosby, who is currently batting .412, and a couple of offensive leaders in Colorado Springs third baseman Garrett Atkins, who has 12 homers and 53 RBI to go along with his .333 average, and Edmonton outfielder Terrmel Sledge (.333, 12 HR, 48 RBI). The squad also features a mix of experience and youth, as veteran catcher and 1992 World Series MVP Pat Borders from Tacoma (.339), will join Sacramento's 21-year old right-hander Rich Harden (8-2 2.88 ERA) on the starting battery.

Joining Harden on the PCL pitching staff is Omaha's Wes Obermueller, who is tied for the PCL lead with nine wins, and Nashville reliever Mark Corey, who leads the League in saves (22). Corey's Nashville teammate John Wasdin will also be making the trip to Memphis after throwing just the second perfect game in League history earlier this season, while Fresno reliever Manny Aybar makes his second consecutive Triple-A All-Star appearance after striking out the side in the ninth inning of the 2002 contest.

INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE PROSPERS WITH PITCHING

Pitching is the prominent feature of the International League All-Star team, as five members of manager Marc Bombard's staff boast seven or more victories on the season. Buffalo right-hander Jason Phillips brings a League-leading 9-1 record along with a 2.31 ERA, while Durham's Carlos Reyes leads the IL with a minuscule 1.50 ERA combined with a 7-1 record. Other selections include fellow Durham Bull Lee Gardner, who is tied for the IL lead in saves (16), Toledo's Shane Loux, who is tied for second in wins (8) with fellow All-Star Ryan Madson from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and Richmond left-hander Andy Pratt who has fanned 100 opponents.

Offensively, the International League features 11 players hitting over .300, including Charlotte first baseman Ross Gload, who's second in the IL in hitting (.340) and first in doubles (26) and Richmond catcher Johnny Estrada, who ranks third in the League with a .338 average. Also included on the IL roster are Buffalo outfielder Alex Escobar and Durham shortstop Jason Smith who lead the IL players with 12 homers, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's Travis Chapman, who leads the circuit with 51 RBI, and Pawtucket outfielder Anton French, who is third in the League with 24 stolen bases. Meanwhile, Louisville 3B/DH Brandon Larson, the winner of last year's All-Star Home Run Derby, returns to the 2003 Game with 11 round trippers and 40 RBI.

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