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Ashmore's
All-Star Notebook
by Mike Ashmore
July 13, 2006
After severe flooding forced Trenton Thunder officials out
of the office, they returned to the pleasant news that the
Eastern League had named five of their players to the
All-Star Game, played last night in Altoona, PA.
Yes Thunder fans, Charlie Manning did make the team, and he
was joined by outfielder Bronson Sardinha, pitcher Justin
Pope and second baseman Gabe Lopez. Only Pope has played in
the Eastern League's version of the midsummer classic
before, picking up the win for the North Division team last
year.
But for Lopez, this would be his first All-Star appearance
all together.
"It's a honor to be amongst the top players in the
league," he said. "This is my first All-Star Game,
and I'm going to have my family with me. So, not only is it
going to be a good experience for myself, but also for my
wife and kids."
Pitcher Phil Hughes was also selected, but was instead
chosen to represent the United States team in last Sunday's
Futures Game.
"It wasn't really a choice," he said. "I
guess the deal is, is that if Major League Baseball says
you're selected to the Futures Game, then you're required to
go."
He missed his scheduled start on July 8th against Binghamton
in order to participate in the game, which was to be held
the next day in Pittsburgh's PNC Park in conjunction with
the Major League All-Star Game. Hughes was excited about the
chance of pitching in the prospect showcase, now in its
eighth year.
"I'm looking forward to it a lot," Hughes said.
"I've been watching the game for the past couple years
now, so it's going to be exciting to be a part of it."
And despite pitching in front of scouts from nearly every
big league team, if not all of them, the 20-year-old isn't
taking the game too seriously.
"It's more of a break for me," he said. "I'm
just going to go out there, throw an inning, and just have a
good time."
Alumni Update: Robinson Cano, once a hot prospect on
the 2004 Thunder, has been just as impressive as the Yankees
everyday second baseman. He was rewarded with a spot on the
American League All-Star Team, where he'll oppose Pittsburgh
Pirates infielder Freddy Sanchez, who spent 80 games of his
2002 season with the Thunder. For both players, it's their
first Major League All-Star Game, although Sanchez did
represent Trenton in the EL All-Star Game in '02. Nomar
Garciaparra, who has his number 5 retired at Waterfront
Park, was the last player named to the National League squad
thanks to the internet voting process...Shelley Duncan,
called up to Triple-A Columbus in mid-June, has struggled in
his first look at the highest rung of the minors, hitting
just .200 with no home runs in his first seven games with
the team.
By The Numbers: Here's a look at the impressive
numbers from Trenton's epic extra-inning loss in Portland on
July 2nd. 7,368 fans in attendance, 557 pitches
thrown, 330 minutes of baseball, 35 players
used, 34 hits, 27 runs scored, 14
innings played, 5 errors, 1 broken toilet, 1
position player on the mound.
That player, J.T. Stotts, picked up the loss for Trenton,
allowing one hit and two walks in the bottom of the 14th
inning. Stotts' only other professional appearance as a
pitcher came in the ninth inning of a blowout loss to
Binghamton last May.
As for the toilet, the porcelain palace in the Thunder
dugout backed up in the 3rd inning, forcing players to sit
on chairs outside of the dugout for the remainder of the
game.
Thunder Notes: Pitcher Scott Patterson was sent down
to Single-A Tampa to make room for fellow pitcher Gerardo
Casadiego. Both players have independent ball experience,
with Patterson having played for Lancaster of the Atlantic
League and Casadiego formerly of Pensacola of the American
Association.
Around The Eastern League: Mike Pelfrey and Henry
Owens became the second and third B-Mets called up to the
big leagues straight out of Double-A this season. Alay Soler
was called up out of Binghamton earlier in the year.
For past articles, please visit MikeAshmore.com
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