Diamond Gems: Stars facing crucial series with Suns
Ken Griffey, Jr. of the Cincinnati Reds hit No. 600 of his career, the sixth player in major league history to reach that mark. Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, and Sammy Sosa reached the mark previously.
Sosa with 609 is Griffey’s next target on the all-time list. Manny Ramirez of the Boston Red Sox recently reached the 500 mark and the Braves Chipper Jones hit No. 400.
The Stars met up with the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx for a five-game series June 5-9. The teams came into the series tied for first place in the Southern League’s Northern Division with 10 games to play.
After splitting the first four games the Stars were able to win the final game of the series to leave town with a one game lead before the final series of the first half.
The Stars as of this writing have the top four hitters (batting average) in the league, Mat Gamel, Alcides Escobar, Michael Brantley and Angel Salome. They also boast the leading home run hitter, Matt LaPorta with 18 as of Tuesday.
All five players are serious major league prospects.
For some local interest, Donovan Hand, formerly of Hatton High School and Jacksonville State University, is in the Stars rotation. He was a 14th round pick in the 2007 draft and has climbed through the system quickly.
The 2008 Major league baseball draft saw two former Lee High School players selected. Craig Kimbrell of Wallace State-Hanceville was selected in the 3rd round by the Atlanta Braves. Jeff Boshiers was selected in the 4th round by the Los Angeles Angels out of Calhoun Community College.
Also being drafted out of Calhoun was James Hoover by the Braves in round 10.
Jim Sandoval can be reached at casandman@aol.com
