Willingham receives Triple-A All-Star nod
June 23, 2005 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
The All-Star Break will be anything but for Albuquerque Isotopes catcher Josh Willingham, who has been selected to represent the âTopes in both the Triple-A All-Star game in Sacramento and the Futures Game in Detroit.
Willingham's All-Star week begins on Sunday, July 10, when the slugging catcher will join top prospects from throughout Minor League Baseball in the annual Futures Game, which pits burgeoning stars from the United States against those from the World in an exhibition contest held two days before the Major League All-Star game at Comerica Park in Detroit.
After the Futures Game, Willingham will jet to Sacramento, where he will take part in the 18th annual Triple-A All-Star Game at Raley Field, home of the Sacramento River Cats. The Triple-A mid-summer's classic, in which the very best from Triple-A Baseball's two circuits; the International and Pacific Coast Leagues, square off, will take place on Wednesday, July 13 in a contest that will be nationally televised on ESPN 2.
Willingham, who hails from Florence, Alabama, ranks among the PCL's leaders in six different offensive categories. He is tied for tops in the League with 19 homers, is first in slugging percentage with a mark of .714, is seventh in hitting with a .337 batting average, ranks fourth with 53 runs scored, fifth with 54 RBI, and second with an on-base percentage of .469.
All-Star accolades are nothing new for Willingham, who has earned the distinction at every level he's played professionally. In addition to becoming a Triple-A All-Star, the slugging catcher has been named an All-Star in the Midwest League (Class-A), Florida State League (Class-A), and Southern League (Double-A) since 2000.
Willingham and the Isotopes will wrap a four-game homestand against Nashville tonight and tomorrow before embarking on a road trip to Round Rock and Omaha. Tonight, the first 2,500 fans will receive the 2005 Albuquerque Isotopes baseball card set, while tomorrow, BirdZerk! will be bringing his unique brand of humorous antics for a return engagement at Isotopes Park. Tickets for all Isotopes games can be purchased at Isotopes Park, home of the 2007 Triple-A All-Star Game, at 1601 Avenida Cesar Chavez SE or at any Ticketmaster outlet, www.ticketmaster.com, or Ticketmaster by Phone at (505) 883-7800. Keep up with all of the Isotopes' great promotions throughout the year at www.albuquerquebaseball.com. For more information, contact the Isotopes at (505) 924-2255.
Pacific Coast League Stories from June 23, 2005
- Grizzlies resilent in 7-5 win over Beavers - Portland Beavers
- Tacoma blanks Tuscon 3-0 - Tucson Sidewinders
- Sounds' five-run fifth sends âTopes to11-5 defeat - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Hart, Lehr star; Sounds hammer Isotopes, 11-5 - Nashville Sounds
- Zephyrs lose third straight - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Five run sixth sinks Express - Round Rock Express
- Birds railroad Express 12-3 - Memphis Redbirds
- Two Stingers named to 2005 PCL All-Star team - Salt Lake Bees
- Round Rock lands two players on PCL All-Star Team; Nieve selected for Futures Game - Round Rock Express
- Three Sidewinders named to All-Star team - Tucson Sidewinders
- Oklahoma RedHawks game notes: Kinsler and German are All-Stars - Oklahoma City Comets
- Baker, Hensley to represent PCL in Triple-A All-Star Game; Barfield headed to Futures Game - Portland Beavers
- Willingham receives Triple-A All-Star nod - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Jackson named to Futures Game roster - Tucson Sidewinders
- Wood Final Rehab Start Broadcast Live By B2 Networks - Iowa Cubs
- Three Redbirds land on All-Star team - Memphis Redbirds
- Brown named PCL All-Star - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Cervenak selected to play in 2005 Triple-A All-Star Game - Fresno Grizzlies
- Durrington named to PCL All-Star Team - Nashville Sounds
- Watson, Serrano to represent River Cats on PCL All-Star Team - Sacramento River Cats
- PCL names 2005 All-Stars - PCL1
- Tacoma cruises past Tucson - Tucson Sidewinders
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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