The Salt Lake Buzz will have two players participate in the Triple-A All-Star festivities this afternoon and Wednesday night at Franklin Quest Field thanks to Chuck Knoblauch.
How's that?, you may ask. What does the Minnesota Twins' Knoblauch have to do with Todd Walker and Brian Raabe being named minor-league all-stars? It's simple, really. Both Walker and Raabe are natural second basemen who could be major leaguers at that position on many teams. But with perennial all-star Knoblauch entrenched at second in the Metrodome, Walker and Raabe have to be content, for the time being, learning to play other infield positions with occasional starts at second base for the Buzz.The Buzz duo will give a local flavor to the all-star events beginning this afternoon. Fans will be able to watch the all-stars take batting and infield practice today beginning at 4 p.m. with a home-run derby following at approximately 5:15. The nationally televised (by ESPN2) game pitting stars from American League affiliates against their National League counterparts will be played Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
"It's a great honor to be selected as an all-star," said Raabe, who will start at shortstop for the American League. "It's even more exciting that the game is here in Salt Lake."
Walker, in his third year of professional baseball, has lived up to his collegiate press clippings and the high expectations of the parent Twins.
The former college player of the year at Louisiana State has had some growing pains in his first year at the Triple-A level as he's tried to learn a new position - third base - but it hasn't hurt him at the plate. He's hitting .321, has pounded a team-high 17 homers and has driven in 66 runs - which is second best in the Pacific Coast League.
Raabe, meanwhile, hasn't just met the expectations the Twins placed on him when he was drafted - he's exceeded them by miles.
The fact that Raabe is a Triple-A all-star is a testament to hard work. The Minnesota native and University of Minnesota standout wasn't even drafted by his home-state team until the 41st round in 1990. Few players drafted that late make an impact on a franchise, yet Raabe has succeeded at every minor league level - he's been named to all-star teams four times in his six pro seasons. He's even had two brief stints in the big leagues the past two years.
Raabe, a longtime Buzz fan favorite for his hustling style of play, has been a member of the Buzz each year since the team was born in April 1994. He hit .321 in '94 (and was selected as a Triple-A all-star) and .305 last season. This year he leads the Pacific Coast League with a .351 batting average and 26 doubles. He's committed just two fielding errors and slammed a career-best 10 homers so far in '96. Raabe has played in 301 games for the Buzz, far-and-away the franchise high.
While their Buzz teammates are taking some well-deserved time off from baseball today and Wednesday, Walker and Raabe are excited about being a part of the all-star events.
"Getting time off would have been nice, but the all-star game will be even better," said Walker. "My mom, aunt and brother are out here for it and I have a lot of family and friends that will be back home (in Louisiana) watching it on T.V . . . The best thing about it is that it will be like another home game for me. I can honestly say the fans in Salt Lake are the greatest fans I've ever played in front of."
Walker wasn't originally scheduled to start and still may not. Casey Candaele of Buffalo in the American Association was voted in as the American League affiliates' starting second baseman, but he has a pulled hamstring. If Candaele can't play due to the injury Wednesday, Buzz manager Phil Roof, who will manage the American League team, says he will start Walker in his place.
"Both Walker and Raabe deserve to start," said Roof, who admittedly may be a bit biased. "They are both having all-star seasons and are fine young men besides."
ALL-STAR BRIEFS: Tickets still remain for Wednesday night's game . . . More than 100 media credentials have been issued for the event - and that doesn't include the dozens of scouts from major league teams and Japan that will be in attendance . . . Steve Klauke, the voice of the Buzz, is one of three broadcasters who will call the action Wednesday on the national radio broadcast.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1996 Triple-A All-star game
American League roster
Pitchers Club-League B/T
Jamie Bluma Omaha-AA R/R
Huck Flener Syracuse-IL S/L
Dane Johnson Syracuse-IL R/R
Dave Pavlas Columbus-IL S/R
Jose Rosado Omaha-AA L/L
Scott Ruffcorn Nashville-AA R/R
Jeff Schmidt Vancouver-PCLR/R
Catchers Club-League B/T
Izzy Molina Edmonton-PCL R/R
Kelly Stinnett New Orleans-AAR/R
Infielders Club-League B/T
*J. Bonnici Tacoma-PCLR/R
*Casey Candaele Buffalo-AAS/R
Ivan Cruz Columbus-IL L/L
*Phil Hiatt Toledo-IL R/R
*Greg Pirkl Tacoma-PCLR/R
*Brian Raabe Salt Lake-PCLR/R
Chris Stynes Omaha-AA R/R
Todd Walker Salt Lake-PCLL/R
Outfielders Club-League B/T
*Jeff Abbott Nashville-AA R/L
*Brian Giles Buffalo-AAL/L
Joe Hall Rochester-IL R/R
*Rudy Pemberton Pawtucket-IL R/R
Lee Stevens Okla. City-AAL/L
Nigel Wilson Buffalo-AAL/L
Staff Club-League
Phil Roof Salt Lake-PCLManager
Brian Graham Buffalo-AACoach
Stump Merrill Columbus-IL Coach
Rick McWane Salt Lake-PCLTrainer
National League roster
Pitchers Club-League B/T
Matt Arrandale Louisville-AAR/R
Mike Fyhrie Norfolk-ILR/R
Dustin Hermanson Las Vegas-PCLR/R
Chris Holt Tucson-PCLR/R
Steve Mintz Phoenix-PCL R/R
Derek Wallace Norfolk-ILR/R
Brad Woodall Richmond-IL S/L
Catchers Club-League B/T
*A. Encarnacion Calgary-PCL R/R
Brook Fordyce Indianapolis-AAR/R
Infielders Club-League B/T
Brandt Brown Iowa-AA L/L
Wilton Guerrero Albuquerque-PCLR/R
*Chris Martin Ottawa-IL R/R
Ralph Millard Charlotte-IL R/R
Neifi Perez Colo. Sprgs-PCLS/R
Roberto Petagine Norfolk-ILL/L
*Jason Thompson Las Vegas-PCLL/L
*Dmitri Young Louisville-AAS/R
Outfielders Club-League B/T
*J. Allensworth Calgary-PCL R/L
Yamil Benitez Ottawa-IL R/R
Angel Echevaria Col. Sprgs-PCLR/R
*Billy McMillon Charlotte-IL L/L
*Ray Montgomery Tucson-PCLR/R
Jon Zuber Scranton/WB-ILL/L
Staff Club-League
Pete Mackanin Ottawa-IL Manager
Brad Mills Col. Sprgs-PCLCoach
Dyar Miller Louisville-AACoach
Ron Porterfield Tucson-PCLTrainer
*scheduled starters