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Moriarty9 · 07-28-2009, 12:28 AM

All Star rosters announced
Four Devil Rays named to AL squad
July 10, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — In addition to manager Christian O'Neal and his coaching staff, four Tampa Bay Devil Rays will be playing in this year's All Star Game.

Devil Rays closer Joe Nathan, secondbaseman Adam Kennedy, firstbaseman Ryan Howard, and catcher Victor Martinez were all named to the American League squad.

It is the third All Star selection for Martinez and the first for Howard, Kennedy, and Nathan.

Martinez has been named to every All Star Game since joining Tampa Bay for the 2003 season. He is hitting .337 with eight home runs, 42 RBI, and 50 runs scored in 77 games so far this year.

"It's a no-brainer that Victor was selected once again," said O'Neal. "There may be guys with more power or a better arm, but I don't think there's anyone out there right now who is a better all around catcher."

Howard was another given for the All Star team, having hit .307 with 22 home runs and 67 RBI in 87 games this season.

"When I told Ryan he was in, I didn't realize he hadn't been named to the team before when he was with Oakland," O'Neal said. "With the season he had last year, he has to have been one of the greatest snubs in All Star history but he's there this year and thats what matters."

Nathan, in his first year as closer, was named to his first All Star squad. He is 2-0 with 20 saves and a 2.67 ERA this year.

"Joe deserves some recognition for his work this season, and I was thrilled to be able to call him into my office and give him the word," said O'Neal. "He has the potential to pitch in a number of these games."

Kennedy was named to the team after hitting .337 with five home runs and 53 RBI in 79 games. It is the first All Star nod for the eight-year veteran.

"Adam's selection may be the most gratifying because he's a mature 29 year old veteran who has had some really good seasons and has been such a big part of some really good teams here," said O'Neal. "He's as deserving as anyone, and the way he's hitting the ball this season made him a pretty easy selection for everyone."

The American League All Star team is rounded out with Johan Santana, B.J. Ryan, and Jim Edmonds from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim; Ben Sheets, Michael Barrett, and Jim Thome of the Texas Rangers; Carlos Pena and Mark Kotsay of the Baltimore Orioles; Billy Wagner and Adam LaRoche of the Cleveland Indians; Jay Witasick and Shin-Soo Choo of the Boston Red Sox; Andy Pettitte and Barry Bonds of the New York Yankees; Roy Halladay and Miguel Tejada of the Oakland Athletics; Jon Lieber and Adrian Gonzalez of the Toronto Blue Jays; Alex Rodriguez and Jay Gibbons of the Seattle Mariners; Jose Guillen of the Chicago White Sox; Dontrelle Willis of the Kansas City Royals; Bobby Jenks of the Minnesota Twins; and Eric Gagne of the Detroit Tigers.

07-28-2009, 12:28 AM	#464 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,858 Thanks: 10 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	All Star rosters announced Four Devil Rays named to AL squad July 10, 2005 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — In addition to manager Christian O'Neal and his coaching staff, four Tampa Bay Devil Rays will be playing in this year's All Star Game. Devil Rays closer Joe Nathan, secondbaseman Adam Kennedy, firstbaseman Ryan Howard, and catcher Victor Martinez were all named to the American League squad. It is the third All Star selection for Martinez and the first for Howard, Kennedy, and Nathan. Martinez has been named to every All Star Game since joining Tampa Bay for the 2003 season. He is hitting .337 with eight home runs, 42 RBI, and 50 runs scored in 77 games so far this year. "It's a no-brainer that Victor was selected once again," said O'Neal. "There may be guys with more power or a better arm, but I don't think there's anyone out there right now who is a better all around catcher." Howard was another given for the All Star team, having hit .307 with 22 home runs and 67 RBI in 87 games this season. "When I told Ryan he was in, I didn't realize he hadn't been named to the team before when he was with Oakland," O'Neal said. "With the season he had last year, he has to have been one of the greatest snubs in All Star history but he's there this year and thats what matters." Nathan, in his first year as closer, was named to his first All Star squad. He is 2-0 with 20 saves and a 2.67 ERA this year. "Joe deserves some recognition for his work this season, and I was thrilled to be able to call him into my office and give him the word," said O'Neal. "He has the potential to pitch in a number of these games." Kennedy was named to the team after hitting .337 with five home runs and 53 RBI in 79 games. It is the first All Star nod for the eight-year veteran. "Adam's selection may be the most gratifying because he's a mature 29 year old veteran who has had some really good seasons and has been such a big part of some really good teams here," said O'Neal. "He's as deserving as anyone, and the way he's hitting the ball this season made him a pretty easy selection for everyone." The American League All Star team is rounded out with Johan Santana, B.J. Ryan, and Jim Edmonds from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim; Ben Sheets, Michael Barrett, and Jim Thome of the Texas Rangers; Carlos Pena and Mark Kotsay of the Baltimore Orioles; Billy Wagner and Adam LaRoche of the Cleveland Indians; Jay Witasick and Shin-Soo Choo of the Boston Red Sox; Andy Pettitte and Barry Bonds of the New York Yankees; Roy Halladay and Miguel Tejada of the Oakland Athletics; Jon Lieber and Adrian Gonzalez of the Toronto Blue Jays; Alex Rodriguez and Jay Gibbons of the Seattle Mariners; Jose Guillen of the Chicago White Sox; Dontrelle Willis of the Kansas City Royals; Bobby Jenks of the Minnesota Twins; and Eric Gagne of the Detroit Tigers.