Two R-Phils selected to play in the 2008 Olympics
Published on July 16, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release
Reading, PA - Reading Phillies shortstop Jason Donald and catcher Lou Marson were selected to the 24-man roster that will represent the United States in baseball in the Beijing Olympics. The announcement came today at 2:30 PM EDT on MLB.com in conjunction with USA Baseball.
This is the third major honor for both Donald and Marson in the last three weeks. Both players are in New Hampshire tonight competing in the Eastern League All-Star Game. This past Sunday they were participants in Major League Baseball's All-Star Futures Game at Yankee Stadium.
Donald, age 23, and Marson, age 22, will join their Olympic teammates on July 28 and leave for China on August 4. The games begin on August 8.
Professional players not on any Major League team's 25-man roster were eligible.
Donald, the Phillies 3rd round pick in 2006 and #15 prospect according to Baseball America, took a .301 (91-302) batting average with 49 R, 16 2B, 3 3B, 12 HR and 47 RBI into the All-Star Break. His on-base % was .381 and his slugging % was .493.
Marson, the Phillies 4th round pick in the 2004 draft and #8 prospect according to Baseball America, was 4th in the E.L. with a .321 (89-277) average and first with a .442 OBP at the break (47 R, 16 2B, 4 HR, 45 RBI, 60 BB). Marson has thrown out 28 of 75 runners attempting to steal (37.3%). He leads the league in attempts against, runners caught and is 5th in percentage.
The R-Phils will begin the unofficial second half of their season with a series in Bowie (7/17-20) and a series in New Britain (7/21-24) before returning home on Friday, July 25 through Sunday, July 27 to take on New Hampshire.
The New Hampshire series will be the final home games for Donald and Marson. An Olympic send-off is being planned. Further details will be revealed on a later date.
For the complete roster please visit usabaseball.com.
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