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Moriarty9 · 10-15-2009, 10:21 AM

Eight Devil Rays go to MoTown
Tampa Bay well represented at 2009 All Star Game
July 14, 2009

DETROIT — The Tigers may be hosting the All Star Game, but its Tampa Bay Devil Rays uniforms that will be seen more than any other in the Motor City.

Eight Devil Rays players have been named to the American League's All Star Game roster, and as the reigning World Series champions, the club's manager and some of its coaches will be in uniform as well.

Four members of the Tampa Bay pitching rotation will be on the AL's staff, as well as closer Jonathan Papelbon. This is Papelbon's second All Star selection, his first coming last season. Papelbon is 3-2 with 23 saves and a 2.56 ERA in 35 games this year, on pace to pick up 41 saves.

Dan Haren, last year's Cy Young winner, is also making his second All Star Game appearance with his first coming last season. The 28-year-old right-hander is 12-2 with a 2.99 ERA in 17 starts, on pace to win 22 games this year.

Felix Hernandez is making his second All Star Game appearance as well, his first since representing the Houston Astros in 2005. Hernandez, 23, is 11-2 with a 3.38 ERA in 18 starts, and is on pace to go 20-4 on the season.

Zack Greinke is off to a fantastic start in 2009 and has earned his first All Star selection. Greinke is undefeated at 9-0 with a 3.58 ERA in 17 starts this season, on pace to win 16 games.

No stranger to the Mid-Summer Classic, this year will be the eighth time Pedro Martinez spends the All Star Break playing ball. Martinez is 9-2 with a 3.23 ERA in 18 starts so far this year, putting him on a pace to go 16-4 for the season.

While the pitching staff appears stacked with Tampa Bay hurlers, there are three postion players on the roster as well, with two of them in the starting lineup.

Ryan Howard is making his fourth All Star roster, but will be coming off the bench behind Seattle Mariners star Albert Pujols. Howard is hitting .270 with 24 home runs, 66 RBI, and 75 runs scored. He is on pace to hit 43 homers, drive in 119 and score 135 times while drawing 110 walks.

Playing left field and batting cleanup for the American League will be first-time All Star Matt Holliday. The 29-year-old has certainly earned the starting nod by hitting .361 with 14 home runs and 74 RBI in 86 first-half games. Holliday is on pace to hit 25 home runs, 133 RBI, score 124 runs, and steal 18 bases.

Aubrey Huff will bat fifth and play third base in his fourth All Star Game. The 32-year-old is hitting .342 with 15 homers, 55 RBI, and 52 runs scored. He is on pace to hit 27 homers, 99 RBI, score 94 times, and be a perfect 11-for-11 in stolen base attempts.

10-15-2009, 10:21 AM	#618 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,858 Thanks: 10 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Eight Devil Rays go to MoTown Tampa Bay well represented at 2009 All Star Game July 14, 2009 DETROIT — The Tigers may be hosting the All Star Game, but its Tampa Bay Devil Rays uniforms that will be seen more than any other in the Motor City. Eight Devil Rays players have been named to the American League's All Star Game roster, and as the reigning World Series champions, the club's manager and some of its coaches will be in uniform as well. Four members of the Tampa Bay pitching rotation will be on the AL's staff, as well as closer Jonathan Papelbon. This is Papelbon's second All Star selection, his first coming last season. Papelbon is 3-2 with 23 saves and a 2.56 ERA in 35 games this year, on pace to pick up 41 saves. Dan Haren, last year's Cy Young winner, is also making his second All Star Game appearance with his first coming last season. The 28-year-old right-hander is 12-2 with a 2.99 ERA in 17 starts, on pace to win 22 games this year. Felix Hernandez is making his second All Star Game appearance as well, his first since representing the Houston Astros in 2005. Hernandez, 23, is 11-2 with a 3.38 ERA in 18 starts, and is on pace to go 20-4 on the season. Zack Greinke is off to a fantastic start in 2009 and has earned his first All Star selection. Greinke is undefeated at 9-0 with a 3.58 ERA in 17 starts this season, on pace to win 16 games. No stranger to the Mid-Summer Classic, this year will be the eighth time Pedro Martinez spends the All Star Break playing ball. Martinez is 9-2 with a 3.23 ERA in 18 starts so far this year, putting him on a pace to go 16-4 for the season. While the pitching staff appears stacked with Tampa Bay hurlers, there are three postion players on the roster as well, with two of them in the starting lineup. Ryan Howard is making his fourth All Star roster, but will be coming off the bench behind Seattle Mariners star Albert Pujols. Howard is hitting .270 with 24 home runs, 66 RBI, and 75 runs scored. He is on pace to hit 43 homers, drive in 119 and score 135 times while drawing 110 walks. Playing left field and batting cleanup for the American League will be first-time All Star Matt Holliday. The 29-year-old has certainly earned the starting nod by hitting .361 with 14 home runs and 74 RBI in 86 first-half games. Holliday is on pace to hit 25 home runs, 133 RBI, score 124 runs, and steal 18 bases. Aubrey Huff will bat fifth and play third base in his fourth All Star Game. The 32-year-old is hitting .342 with 15 homers, 55 RBI, and 52 runs scored. He is on pace to hit 27 homers, 99 RBI, score 94 times, and be a perfect 11-for-11 in stolen base attempts.