For much of the season, the Salt Lake Stingers have been in first place with one of the best records in the Pacific Coast League.
But tonight, as the PCL All-Star game gets under way at Sacramento's Raley Field, only one Stinger will be in uniform. LHP Dusty Bergman, 27, has posted a 5-3 record and a 2.44 ERA in 48 innings this year. He's given up 52 hits and has walked just eight batters against 39 strikeouts.
Another Stinger pitcher, Corey Lee, was selected to the All-Star squad but was released by the parent club Los Angeles Angels two months ago.
Last season the Stingers entered the All-Star break with a 37-53 record, last in the Northern Division and 12 1/2 games out. Despite the record, then-Stingers manager Mike Brumley was named to head the PCL squad.
Current Stingers manager Dino Ebel participated in the Major League All-Star Futures game on Sunday in Detroit. Ebel was a coach for the World squad that posted a 4-0 victory over the U.S. team.
Ebel's Stingers own a 51-37 record and a 2 1/2 game lead in the Pacific Northern Division. The Stingers didn't earn their 51st win last season until Aug. 25.
Two former Stingers have also been named to the PCL All-Star team. Infielder Rick Short, the last Salt Lake player to win the PCL batting title (.356 average in 2002), will represent the New Orleans Zephyrs. Infielder Trent Durrington, the only Australian to ever play for the Stingers (2001-2003), will represent the Nashville Sounds.
The 2005 Triple-A All-Star game will be televised live on ESPN2 at 8 p.m. MDT and can be heard on AM-1230.
The Stingers return to action on Thursday as the Fresno Grizzlies come to Franklin Covey Field for a five-game series.