Two Sidewinders selected to All-Star and Futures Games

Published on June 29, 2006 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tucson Sidewinders News Release


Tucson, AZ-The Tucson Sidewinders double play combination of Shortstop Stephen Drew and Second Baseman Alberto Callaspo have been selected to participate in the 19th Annual Triple-A All-Star Game which will take place July 12th at Fifth Third Field in Toledo, OH. Drew will also represent the Diamondbacks organization, along with Sidewinders Manager Chip Hale, at the prestigious All-Star Futures game on July 9th at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA.

In his first full season in professional baseball, Drew, 23, is currently hitting .283 (87-for-307) with 10 home runs, 47 runs scored and 42 RBI in his first taste of Triple-A. The Diamondbacks 2004 1st round draft pick out of Florida St. rattled off a Pacific Coast League season long 18-game hitting streak from April 16th to May 6th. Drew's All-Star and Futures Games selections mark the first of his professional career.

Callaspo, 23, has been chosen to participate in his league's respective All-Star game in each of his last five seasons, in the Pioneer League (2002), Midwest League (2003), Texas League (2004-05) and Pacfic Coast League (2006). The Venezualan native leads all minor leaguers with 101 hits and is batting .333 with 53 runs scored and a .406 on-base percentage. Callaspo, who was acquired from the Angels this spring for pitcher Jason Bulger, has been the most difficult player in the minors to strikeout this season, fanning just once every 29 at bats.

Hale becomes the second consecutive Tucson Manager to be selected to the coach staff of the World Team at the Future Game, which features 50 of the most promising prospects in baseball from each of the 30 Major League organizations. Former Sidewinders skipper Al Pedrique (2002-2003) also received the honor in 2003. Hale and Drew will be joined by Single-A Lancaster outfielder Carlos Gonzalez.

Other Sidewinders players selected to the Triple-A All-Star Game in recent history include 2B Andy Green, 1B Conor Jackson and RHP Jason Bulger in 2005, C Craig Ansman and 1B Steve Neal in 2004, 3B Chad Tracy, IF Mike Bell, and LHP Chris Capuano in 2003, 1B Lyle Overbay and C Chad Moeller in 2002, and 1B Jack Cust in 2001.

The first Triple-A All-Star Game was held in 1988 when National League affiliated teams would compete against American League affiliated teams. This format was followed until 1998 when it was changed to have the PCL All-Stars compete against the IL All-Stars. The PCL leads the IL 5-3 under the revamped format, including last year's 11-5 victory in Sacramento, CA.

The 2006 Triple-A All-Star Game will be televised live on ESPN2 and can be heard on the Sidewinders flagship station COOL 1450 AM.

Tucson will return home from their current 8-game road trip with a bang on July 4th featuring the team's annual Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular. The Tucson Electric Park box office can be reached at (520) 434-1021. Gates open one hour before game time unless otherwise noted.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 29, 2006


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