GaryMrMets
07-06-2004, 01:43 AM
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/9081768.htm
Posted on Mon, Jul. 05, 2004
Phillies Notes | Phillies in a Lone Star State
By Todd Zolecki
Inquirer Staff Writer
It's no surprise that Jim Thome made the National League all-star team yesterday.
But perhaps it is a surprise that he hasn't been an all-star since 1999.
"I've always looked at it as a privilege and an honor when you represent your city and your club," Thome said after yesterday's 5-2 victory over Baltimore at Citizens Bank Park.
Thome is hitting .299 this season with a major-league-leading 27 home runs and 58 RBIs. He is ranked second in the National League in slugging percentage (.679), tied for fifth in RBIs, eighth in on-base percentage (.411), and ninth in walks (50).
St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols won the fan vote with 2,649,013 votes. Houston's Jeff Bagwell took second with 1,918,071 votes, while Thome finished third with 1,111,478.
Players, coaches and managers also voted. Cincinnati first baseman Sean Casey received 354 votes for first place, while Thome finished second with 283 votes. The first-place finisher in that voting is named a reserve if he hasn't already won the fan vote.
Because Thome didn't win either, Florida Marlins manager Jack McKeon named him as a reserve.
Thome went to the All-Star Game in 1997, 1998 and 1999 with Cleveland. Since the start of the 2000 season, Thome has hit 212 home runs and driven in 537 runs.
Since then, Tony Clark has made an all-star appearance at first base.
So believe that Thome will savor every moment he's in Houston.
"You have your pride," he said. "You understand sometimes that there are guys who deserve to go, but it's also nice to get recognized and know that people think that highly of you. The All-Star Game is a fun, relaxing time."
Thome also looks forward to participating in the home run derby. "I've had some fun times," he said.
Thome finished second to Seattle's Ken Griffey Jr. in 1998 in Colorado. In 1997, he hit none at Jacobs Field in Cleveland.
"The one in Cleveland wasn't very fun," Thome said. "I didn't hit any. But those are great. The fans get into it. Those are a special three days."
Snubbed? Rightfielder Bobby Abreu needs fans to vote for him online at mlb.com if he expects to make his first all-star team as the final player on the NL roster. He finished 13th in fan voting with 647,781 votes. In the player voting, Abreu didn't finish in the top five. Houston's Lance Berkman, Chicago's Moises Alou and Florida's Miguel Cabrera earned all-star trips because of player voting.
McKeon chose Thome, Colorado's Todd Helton and Cincinnati's Barry Larkin as his player reserves.
Mets come to town. The New York Mets roll into town for an important four-game series this week. The Mets are just two games behind the Phillies in the National League East.
Phillies righthander Paul Abbott (0-2, 5.03 ERA) is on the mound against lefthander Tom Glavine (7-5, 2.16) tonight. Lefthander Randy Wolf (3-3, 3.08) faces lefthander Al Leiter (4-2, 2.12) tomorrow night, righthander Brett Myers (5-5, 5.28) takes on righthander Steve Trachsel (8-6, 3.49) on Wednesday night and righthander Kevin Millwood (6-5, 5.07) faces righthander Matt Ginter (1-2, 4.74) on Thursday.
Extra bases. Billy Wagner didn't pitch in the ninth inning yesterday because he had pitched three consecutive days.
Posted on Mon, Jul. 05, 2004
Phillies Notes | Phillies in a Lone Star State
By Todd Zolecki
Inquirer Staff Writer
It's no surprise that Jim Thome made the National League all-star team yesterday.
But perhaps it is a surprise that he hasn't been an all-star since 1999.
"I've always looked at it as a privilege and an honor when you represent your city and your club," Thome said after yesterday's 5-2 victory over Baltimore at Citizens Bank Park.
Thome is hitting .299 this season with a major-league-leading 27 home runs and 58 RBIs. He is ranked second in the National League in slugging percentage (.679), tied for fifth in RBIs, eighth in on-base percentage (.411), and ninth in walks (50).
St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols won the fan vote with 2,649,013 votes. Houston's Jeff Bagwell took second with 1,918,071 votes, while Thome finished third with 1,111,478.
Players, coaches and managers also voted. Cincinnati first baseman Sean Casey received 354 votes for first place, while Thome finished second with 283 votes. The first-place finisher in that voting is named a reserve if he hasn't already won the fan vote.
Because Thome didn't win either, Florida Marlins manager Jack McKeon named him as a reserve.
Thome went to the All-Star Game in 1997, 1998 and 1999 with Cleveland. Since the start of the 2000 season, Thome has hit 212 home runs and driven in 537 runs.
Since then, Tony Clark has made an all-star appearance at first base.
So believe that Thome will savor every moment he's in Houston.
"You have your pride," he said. "You understand sometimes that there are guys who deserve to go, but it's also nice to get recognized and know that people think that highly of you. The All-Star Game is a fun, relaxing time."
Thome also looks forward to participating in the home run derby. "I've had some fun times," he said.
Thome finished second to Seattle's Ken Griffey Jr. in 1998 in Colorado. In 1997, he hit none at Jacobs Field in Cleveland.
"The one in Cleveland wasn't very fun," Thome said. "I didn't hit any. But those are great. The fans get into it. Those are a special three days."
Snubbed? Rightfielder Bobby Abreu needs fans to vote for him online at mlb.com if he expects to make his first all-star team as the final player on the NL roster. He finished 13th in fan voting with 647,781 votes. In the player voting, Abreu didn't finish in the top five. Houston's Lance Berkman, Chicago's Moises Alou and Florida's Miguel Cabrera earned all-star trips because of player voting.
McKeon chose Thome, Colorado's Todd Helton and Cincinnati's Barry Larkin as his player reserves.
Mets come to town. The New York Mets roll into town for an important four-game series this week. The Mets are just two games behind the Phillies in the National League East.
Phillies righthander Paul Abbott (0-2, 5.03 ERA) is on the mound against lefthander Tom Glavine (7-5, 2.16) tonight. Lefthander Randy Wolf (3-3, 3.08) faces lefthander Al Leiter (4-2, 2.12) tomorrow night, righthander Brett Myers (5-5, 5.28) takes on righthander Steve Trachsel (8-6, 3.49) on Wednesday night and righthander Kevin Millwood (6-5, 5.07) faces righthander Matt Ginter (1-2, 4.74) on Thursday.
Extra bases. Billy Wagner didn't pitch in the ninth inning yesterday because he had pitched three consecutive days.