![]() Alberto Callaspo
Tucson Urban League CEO/President Trades/Construction RANCHO RESORT MAINTANANCE POSITION Administrative & Professional Jorgensen Brooks Group Counselor Mechanical Komatsu Equipment Co Resident Field Mechanic Finance and Accounting Charles E. Gillman Company Accounting Specialist Sales and Marketing Everready Glass Sales Reps BaseballTucson has had its share of AAA All-StarsArizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 07.16.2008
The best Triple-A baseball players will showcase their talents today in the All-Star Game in Louisville, Ky.
Third baseman Jamie D'Antona, fresh from winning the Triple-A Home Run Derby on Monday, will represent the Tucson Sidewinders.
The 26-year-old right-handed batter blasted four home runs in a second playoff round to edge the Toledo Mud Hens' Mike Hessman by one.
Tucson second baseman Emilio Bonifacio also was named to the Pacific Coast League All-Star team, but has since been promoted to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The PCL All-Stars will face their International League counterparts at 4 p.m. Tucson time.
The Sidewinders have regularly sent players to the annual showcase — and many have gone on to major-league careers. Previous Triple-A All-Star selections Alex Romero (2007), Stephen Drew (2006), Conor Jackson (2005) and Chad Tracy (2003) currently are with the D-backs.
Here's a glimpse at some former Sidewinder All-Stars who are in the majors with other organizations.
Alberto Callaspo
2006 All-Star
• Position, age: Infielder, 25
• Sidewinder: 2006-07
• Current team: Kansas City Royals
• Major-league career stats: .245 average, 17 RBIs, 121 games
• Catching up: The D-backs traded Callaspo to the Royals in December for current Sidewinders pitcher Billy Buckner. Callaspo was batting .290 in 42 games primarily as a reserve for Kansas City before he was placed on the disabled list on June 28, a day after he spent several hours in jail after he was charged with running a red light and driving under the influence. Last year, while he was with the D-backs, Callaspo was arrested on a charge of misdemeanor assault on his wife and felony criminal damage.
Andy Green
2005 All-Star
• Position, age: Second baseman, 31
• Sidewinder: 2002, 2004-06
• Current team: New Orleans
• Major-league career stats: .199, 12 RBIs, 136 games
• Catching up: After spending seven seasons in the D-backs organization, Green headed to Japan in 2007 and played for the Nippon Ham Fighters. Green is back in the United States this season, currently with New Orleans of the Pacific Coast League, a New York Mets affiliate. He has hit .262 in 13 games with the Zephyrs, after batting .233 in 71 games with Louisville of the International League this season. He last played in the majors in 2006 in 73 games with the D-backs. Among his minor-league accomplishments, Green was the PCL's MVP in 2005.
Jason Bulger
2005 All-Star
• Position, age: Right-handed pitcher, 29
• Sidewinder: 2005
• Current team: Salt Lake Bees
• Major-league career stats: 1-0, 6.08 ERA, 24 strikeouts, 12 walks
• Catching up: Bulger made the Los Angeles Angels opening day roster and pitched in five games, striking out six in five innings, but allowing five earned runs. He currently is on Salt Lake's disabled list and has pitched 28 1/3 innings for the Bees. He pitched during one season for the D-backs, throwing 10 innings in 2005. The D-backs traded Bulger to the Angels for infielder Callaspo.
Lyle Overbay
2002 All-Star
• Position, age: First baseman, 31
• Sidewinder: 2002-03
• Current team: Toronto Blue Jays
• Major-league career stats: .282, 359 RBIs, 786 games.
• Catching up: Overbay has been a regular in the majors since 2004 and is currently batting .269 for the Blue Jays. With the D-backs, he appeared in the majors in three seasons, most recently playing 86 games in 2003 before he was involved in the Richie Sexson trade with Milwaukee. The Brewers then shipped him to Toronto in 2005, freeing up first base for Prince Fielder. Overbay set career highs with 22 home runs and 92 RBIs in his first season in Toronto.
Jack Cust
2001 All-Star
• Position, age: Outfielder, 29
• Sidewinder: 2001
• Current team: Oakland A's
• Major-league career stats: .241, 148 RBIs, 284 games
• Catching up: In his second season with the A's and seventh in the majors overall, Cust has 114 strikeouts, one fewer than Bo Jackson's American League record for most strikeouts before the All-Star break. Cust leads the AL in strikeouts — and walks with 67. He also has a team-high 18 home runs. Last season, he had 164 strikeouts and 105 walks.
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