Record Seven Loons Named to All-Star Team

The Midwest League announced today the rosters for the 2009 Midwest League All-Star Game, which will be held June 23 at Alliant Energy Field in Clinton, IA. The Loons will be represented by a franchise-high seven players - three pitchers and four position players - on the Eastern Division squad. All four position players have been named starters.

The Loons' starters will be Tony Delmonico (catcher), Dee Gordon (shortstop), Jaime Pedroza (second base) and Kyle Russell (outfield). The three pitchers are right-handers Javy Guerra, JonMichael Redding and Josh Walter.

Russell leads the MWL in home runs, runs, total bases and is tied for first in RBIs. Gordon leads the circuit in stolen bases and is second in triples. Pedroza is third in the league in runs scored, and Delmonico is hitting .278 with 24 RBIs.

Guerra and Redding are both ranked second in the league in a major pitching category. Guerra is second in saves and Redding second in wins. Walter, used as both a starter and reliever, is 3-1 with a 2.22 ERA.

The Loons have the most representatives of any Eastern Division team. Home standing Clinton (eight) is the only team in the league with more all-stars. Kane County also has seven all-stars.

The East is led by South Bend manager Mark Haley and his Silver Hawks coaching staff. The squad includes players from the six Eastern Division teams plus Peoria. The West is led by Clinton manager Scott Steinmann and his LumberKings staff.

Full rosters for both teams are attached to this release.

The Loons sent four players to the all-star game in both 2007 and 2008. In '07, the team was represented by Clayton Kershaw (left-handed pitcher), Francisco Lizarraga (reserve, shortstop), Eduardo Perez (starter, first base) and Miguel Ramirez (right-handed pitcher). In '08, Steven Johnson (starter, right-handed pitcher), Kenley Jansen (catcher), Andrew Lambo (starter, outfield) and Ramirez represented the Loons.

The league's Mid-Summer Classic is being held in Clinton for the first time since 1998. Last year's game was held at Dow Diamond in Midland. The game will be preceded by a Home Run Derby and Skills Challenge on June 22.

The Great Lakes Loons are the third-year Single-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers and members of the Midwest League. For more information about the Loons, visit Loons.com or call 989-837-BALL.