OKC All-Star: German is PCL squad's top player
On the first ballot, German wasn't picked as the PCL's "Top Star;" Nashville right fielder Brendan Katin was - even though German was 2-for-3, a single and double, with two RBIs, and Katin was 1-for-4, a solo home run, when the votes were counted.
Portland play-by-play man Rich Burk, who did a superb job with former RedHawk Eric Young on the ESPN2 telecast, announced the "Top Star" winners with two out in the bottom of the ninth inning: Indianapolis catcher Erik Kratz for the International League and Katin from the PCL.
Seconds later, German smacked a two-run home run to deep right field, giving him three hits and four runs batted in, and pulling the PCL to within one run of tying the game.
The IL held on to win 6-5, but the telecast ended with viewers believing Katin had been named the game's top player for the PCL.
Which was odd, since German had easily been the most productive hitter - for either team. He had the most hits (3) and most RBIs (4) in the game.
A quick re-vote came after the telecast ended.
"The (initial) voting was done during the eighth inning, before German hit his two-run homer," said Portland Beavers publicist Robert Morse. "The PCL Top Star was unanimously changed to German after his ninth inning home run."
That's the rest of the story. But there's more: Oklahoma City has been the most dominant franchise in Triple-A All-Star Game history.
RedHawks and 89ers have combined to bat .361 in All-Star Game history, with more runs (14) and hits (22) and runs batted in (20) and home runs (6) than any other team.
Oklahoma City has also had five players named team MVPs in the game, tying Richmond of the International League in that category. No other franchise has had more than three MVPs. The RedHawks have produced that many PCL game MVPs in just the last seven years.
The Triple-A All-Star Game team MVPs from Oklahoma City have been: third baseman Esteban German, 2009; catcher Gerald Laird, 2005; right fielder Jason Jones, 2003; DH Juan Gonzalez, 1990; and third baseman Scott Coolbaugh, 1989.
Laird hit the first (and so far only) grand slam in the game's 22-year history. Jones hit a three-run homer. Gonzalez had a double, homer and two RBIs. And Coolbaugh hit a solo homer in his only at bat in '89.
TRIPLE-A ALL-STAR GAME RECORDS
Most MVPs: 5, Oklahoma City and Richmond. Next: 3, Buffalo, Colorado Springs, Columbus, Indianapolis, Salt Lake City, Syracuse.
Most Runs: 14, Oklahoma City. Next: 13, Indianapolis.
Most Hits: 22, Oklahoma City. Next: 20, Syracuse.
Most RBIs: 20, Oklahoma City. Next: 11, Indianapolis.
Most Home Runs: 6, Oklahoma City. Next: 4, Louisville and Toledo.