Hessman to Compete in All-Star Home Run Derby on July 14!

July 9, 2008

TRIPLE-A’S TOP SLUGGERS TO FACE-OFF IN ANNUAL ALL-STAR HOME RUN DERBY

Headlined by the leading home run hitters in the International League and Pacific Coast Leagues, six of Triple-A Baseball’s top sluggers are set to compete in the 2008 Papa John’s All-Star Home Run Derby scheduled for July 14 at 7:05 p.m. (eastern) at Louisville Slugger Field in Louisville, Kentucky.

PCL representative Dallas McPherson of Albuquerque is the current Minor League Baseball home run leader with 31 roundtrippers. Joining McPherson on the PCL side will be Matt Brown (18 home runs) of the Salt Lake Bees and Jason Smith (18 home runs) of the Omaha Royals. Brown and Smith are tied for 4th in the PCL home run race.

Reigning International League MVP and home run champion Mike Hessman of Toledo headlines the IL side of the Home Run Derby. Hessman is currently 2nd in Minor League Baseball, and 1st in the IL, with 28 home runs. Hessman will be joined by a pair of Pawtucket Red Sox in Jeff Bailey (23 home runs) and Jonathan Van Every (22 home runs).

The Papa John’s Home Run Derby is one of many exciting events that precede the 2008 Triple-A All-Star Game. Additional information about the Home Run Derby, the Rally’s FanFest, and other festivities can be found on the official websites of the Louisville Bats (www.BatsBaseball.com) and Triple-A Baseball (www.Triple-ABaseball.com).

********** DID YOU KNOW... **********
Triple-A Baseball is unquestionably home to the most powerful sluggers in all of Minor League Baseball. Six of the top seven (and seven of the top ten) home run hitters in the Minor Leagues this year are Triple-A players.

The leaders are McPherson (1st, 31), Hessman (2nd, 28), Nelson Cruz of Oklahoma (T-3rd, 26), Brad Eldred of Charlotte (T-3rd, 26), Bailey (T-5th, 23), Chris Davis of Oklahoma (T-5th, 23), and Van Every (T-8th, 22).