Diamond Gems

(Updated: Thursday, May 10, 2007 4:02 PM CDT)

Jim Sandoval, Madison Record

The Stars hosted a Family Fun Fest Sunday with a variety of games for the kids, including video games, sliding into home on an air filled cushion and pitching and hitting. My favorite part, being the baseball historian that I am, was the Minor Leagues history exhibit. Memorabilia from baseball movies, minor league teams and famous players was included. The Negro Leagues were well represented with Buck O'Neill and Satchel Paige items.

The Stars return home to open a five-game series with the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx (Seattle Mariners affiliate) on Friday, May 18. Fireworks will follow the game. Saturday's game the first 1,500 fans receive a special Stars camouflage baseball on Salute Our Troops Day. At Sunday's game the first 1,000 "Ladies" will receive a special pink Stars lapel pin.

Former Stars players have led the Milwaukee Brewers to the best record in baseball as of Sunday night. Ben Sheets has two wins and Carlos Villanueva, who played with the Stars last season, has three wins out of the bullpen.

Three-fourths of the starting infield played in Huntsville previously. Leadoff hitter and second baseman Rickie Weeks is hitting .252 but is reaching base at a .351 rate. First baseman Prince Fielder is hitting .298 with nine home runs and 26 RBIs. Shortstop J. J. Hardy has eight home runs, 26 RBIs and a .339 batting average. Centerfielder Bill Hall has four home runs and outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr in limited playing time has a .346 average.

Darth Vader is again part of the Empire. It was announced Sunday to an ecstatic Yankee Stadium crowd that Roger Clemens will be returning to the Bronx to pitch later this season.