Have you heard about this Jeter guy?
Just kidding. Here’s a chance for baseball fans to talk about something else, for once.
The highly-revered Long Beach State baseball program will be well represented in the MLB All-Star Game tonight, as two of their heralded products will show their stuff in the Summer Showcase.
Angels pitcher Jered Weaver will be the starting pitcher for the American League, while Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki will start at shortstop for the National League. Weaver called the honor “a very humbling experience” in a press conference today.
Weaver laced up the black-and-gold from 2002-04 and still holds the Long Beach State record for overall wins (37) and consecutive wins (14). Tulowitzki patrolled the dirt at Blair Field from 2003-05 and is sixth all-time in home runs (20) and tenth in RBI (117).
You could make the case that Weaver has been the most intimidating presence on the mound in all of baseball this season. With a dominating pitch arsenal and the best ERA in the majors, it was impossible to ignore the big righty, even in an East Coast centric league. After all, Weaver has allowed just five home runs in 140.1 innings. Yes, you read that right.
After setting record after record with a Bonds-like run last season (in the good way), Tulowitzki has not cooled off in 2011. He leads all shortstops with 17 home runs and 57 RBI.
It will be something to behold when the two former Long Beach State teammates face off against each other, likely early in the game on Tuesday night.
Just as interesting, though, are some of the Long Beach names that were left off the All-Star team this season.
After three consecutive seasons as an All-Star, Rays third baseman Evan Longoria will not play in the game for the first time in his career. Longoria endured a difficult offseason when his car was stolen and someone broke into his Spring Training home (stealing, among other things, an assault weapon which drew unfavorable attention). He has battled injuries and missed 26 games thus far but has had impressive spurts of power, as well. Though Longo won’t suit up tonight, expect to see his name atop the statboards for the rest of the season.
Though he didn’t play for the Dirtbags, Phillies second baseman Chase Utley is Long Beach through-and-through, growing up in the 562 and lettering at Long Beach Poly. The five-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger has struggled in just 41 games, but will prove a vital cog as Philadelphia makes another run at the postseason.
Other notable Dirtbags include Nationals shortstop Danny Espinosa (2006-08) and Phillies pitcher Vance Worley (2006-08). Espinosa has started 89 games for the Nats, smashing 16 home runs and hitting .242 with a .986 fielding percentage. Worley is 4-1 this season with a 2.20 ERA and 37 strikeouts. The budding stars were not involved in All-Star consideration but figure to make their presence known in no time.