Two Former Suns Named to Major League All-Star Rosters
Martin and Rodriguez both named All-Star Starters
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Major League Baseball announced the rosters for the 2007 All-Star Game yesterday with two former Jacksonville Suns earning starting spots in the midsummer classic.
Arguably the greatest player to ever wear a Suns uniform, New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is this year's leading vote-getter and the American League's starting third baseman. This is his 11th All-Star Game appearance.
Rodriguez spent a brief but memorable few weeks with the Suns in 1994 as he progressed through the Seattle Mariners chain. He was called up to the Major Leagues directly from the Suns and has not looked back since. Currently in his 14th major league season, Rodriguez is a two-time American League Most Valuable Player, owns one Silver Slugger Award and has two Gold Gloves to his name.
Rodriguez currently leads the American League in home runs (28), RBI (79), runs (71) and slugging percentage (.680). At just 31 years old, he is poised to join the 500 home run club this season and is on pace to become the youngest Major Leaguer ever to reach that milestone.
A recent alumni of the Jacksonville Suns, Dodgers catcher Russell Martin will be the National League's starting backstop in his first career All-Star Game appearance.
Martin was an integral part of the 2005 Suns team that captured the Southern League Championship and was named Baseball America's Minor League Team of the Year.
Martin became the Dodgers' everyday catcher midway through the 2006 season and has been behind the plate for the Suns' parent club ever since.
A native of East York, Ontario, Canada, Martin is enjoying his best season to date. His batting average has hovered around the .300 mark all season and he leads the Dodgers in RBI (53), doubles (19) and runs (46).
Martin and Rodriguez will face off at the 2007 Major League All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 10 at AT&T Park in San Francisco. Also joining these two former Suns at All-Star Weekend will be current Suns shortstop Chin-Lung Hu and Manager John Shoemaker, who will be participating in the All-Star Futures Game on Sunday, July 8.
The Jacksonville Suns are the Double-A Affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers and a member of the Southern League of Professional Baseball. The Suns are currently at home, hosting the Mobile BayBears through Tuesday at the Baseball Grounds. The Suns' next homestand starts Wednesday, July 11 against the Birmingham Barons.
Tickets for both homestands and the remainder of the regular season are on sale at the Baseball Grounds box office, by calling (904) 358-2846 or online at www.jaxsuns.com.
Arguably the greatest player to ever wear a Suns uniform, New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is this year's leading vote-getter and the American League's starting third baseman. This is his 11th All-Star Game appearance.
Rodriguez spent a brief but memorable few weeks with the Suns in 1994 as he progressed through the Seattle Mariners chain. He was called up to the Major Leagues directly from the Suns and has not looked back since. Currently in his 14th major league season, Rodriguez is a two-time American League Most Valuable Player, owns one Silver Slugger Award and has two Gold Gloves to his name.
Rodriguez currently leads the American League in home runs (28), RBI (79), runs (71) and slugging percentage (.680). At just 31 years old, he is poised to join the 500 home run club this season and is on pace to become the youngest Major Leaguer ever to reach that milestone.
A recent alumni of the Jacksonville Suns, Dodgers catcher Russell Martin will be the National League's starting backstop in his first career All-Star Game appearance.
Martin was an integral part of the 2005 Suns team that captured the Southern League Championship and was named Baseball America's Minor League Team of the Year.
Martin became the Dodgers' everyday catcher midway through the 2006 season and has been behind the plate for the Suns' parent club ever since.
A native of East York, Ontario, Canada, Martin is enjoying his best season to date. His batting average has hovered around the .300 mark all season and he leads the Dodgers in RBI (53), doubles (19) and runs (46).
Martin and Rodriguez will face off at the 2007 Major League All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 10 at AT&T Park in San Francisco. Also joining these two former Suns at All-Star Weekend will be current Suns shortstop Chin-Lung Hu and Manager John Shoemaker, who will be participating in the All-Star Futures Game on Sunday, July 8.
The Jacksonville Suns are the Double-A Affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers and a member of the Southern League of Professional Baseball. The Suns are currently at home, hosting the Mobile BayBears through Tuesday at the Baseball Grounds. The Suns' next homestand starts Wednesday, July 11 against the Birmingham Barons.
Tickets for both homestands and the remainder of the regular season are on sale at the Baseball Grounds box office, by calling (904) 358-2846 or online at www.jaxsuns.com.