|
|
|
|
 |
| ||
|
Scores Schedules Standings Statistics Transactions Injuries: AL | NL Players Weekly Lineup Message Board Minor Leagues MLB Stat Search Clubhouses | ||
| Sport Sections | ||
|
| ||
| Monday, July 10 | |||||
| Burroughs named Futures Game MVP | |||||
| ATLANTA -- Television audiences seem to bring out the best
in Sean Burroughs.
Playing on national TV for the first time since winning his
second Little League title, Burroughs had three hits, and Drew
Henson scored the winning run as the U.S. team beat the World team
3-2 Sunday in the Futures Game at Turner Field.
Burroughs was last seen leading Long Beach, Calif., to Little
League championships in 1992-93 and showing off his hitting skills
to David Letterman. Next up for Burroughs is the Double-A All-Star
game Wednesday and a possible Olympic berth in September -- both
on national TV.
"I'll have a lot to live up to now," said Burroughs, who was named game MVP Sunday. "It's great being on another big league field
with a good crowd, scouts here and people watching on TV."
With his father Jeff -- the 1974 AL MVP -- in the stands,
Burroughs went 3-for-4 and helped set up the winning rally. Jeff
Burroughs coached his son to the pair of Little League titles and
came to Atlanta to watch his son play in the first event of
All-Star week.
"It's extra special having my parents here," he said. "It's
nice to be able to share this with them."
Burroughs said he would like to play on the Olympic team -- which
will feature professionals for the first time -- but the San Diego
Padres haven't decided whether to let him go to Australia or call
him up to the majors in September.
Henson, a Yankees prospect, knows what he will be doing in the
fall: starting at quarterback for the University of Michigan. He
started the eighth-inning rally by drawing a walk off Houston
farmhand Carlos Hernandez. Burroughs then lined a one-out single to
left.
The U.S. team loaded the bases on a single by Josh Hamilton, the
third hit of the game for the top pick by Tampa Bay in the 1999
draft. Brandon Inge, a catcher for Detroit's Double-A Jacksonville
team, then hit a grounder that second baseman Ruben Salazar bobbled
and could only get a force. Henson scored on the play to put the
U.S. team ahead 3-2.
"It was just great to be on the same field with all of these
great players," said Henson, who will return to Michigan in
August.
Mark Buehrle, a left-hander in the White Sox system, struck out
two in one inning to get the win for the team coached by former
Red Sox great Jim Rice. Chris George got the final out for the save.
Carlos Pena, being groomed to replace Rafael Palmeiro in Texas,
homered for Tony Perez's World team, made up of players from 12
countries and Puerto Rico.
The U.S. team struck out 12 batters, including three by
Cleveland prospect C.C. Sabathia and three by Josh Beckett, the No.
2 pick in last year's draft by Florida.
Cuban defector Danys Baez, who signed a $14.5 million contract
with the Indians last November, pitched one scoreless inning.
Toronto shortstop Felipe Lopez made the defensive play of the
game for the World team, diving to his right to stop a hard
grounder and throwing out the speedy Vernon Wells at first base.
Fifteen players from last year's game are currently in the
majors -- including Atlanta's Rafael Furcal, St. Louis' Rick Ankiel,
Philadelphia's Pat Burrell and Oakland's Mark Mulder -- and several
others have made brief appearances.
Many of this year's crop -- including the nine players
participating in their second Futures Game -- could be impacting
pennant races down the stretch. | ALSO SEE Gammons: The Futures so bright Futures Game prospect report Futures Game rosters | ||||