AUBURN - The 1949 All-Star Game was one of the most historic contests in Major League Baseball history. The All-Star game was the first to include African-American players, most notably, Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella. It was also the last time a professional All-Star game was held in Brooklyn.
Glenn Gaston / Special to The Citizen
Auburn's All-Stars, from left to right: catcher Brian Bormaster, infielder Jermy Acey, center fielder Ryan Patterson, right fielder Cory Patton.
Auburn's All-Stars, from left to right: catcher Brian Bormaster, infielder Jermy Acey, center fielder Ryan Patterson, right fielder Cory Patton.
History is about to change again, as the New York-Penn League's inaugural All-Star Game will be played at Brooklyn's KeySpan Park. Today, the New York-Penn League's best will be the first all-stars to compete in Brooklyn since the likes of Robinson and Joe DiMaggio.
The league-leading Auburn Doubledays landed four players on the team. Ryan Patterson, Cory Patton, Jermy Acey and Brian Bormaster will join the American League squad.
The Doubledays' manager, Dennis Holmberg, said in the past, people have been discouraged from having an all-star game in the league because of the short season.
"You've got the venue for the game, it just took some more interest to get it done," he said.
"It's a nice way to be acknowledged. It gives everyone a chance to show off their abilities. What a great place to be able to show your stuff."
To most, the selections of Patterson and Patton came as no surprise. Both have cemented themselves at the top of almost every offensive category in the league.
"Patterson and Patton, their statistics and value to the team speak for themselves," Holmberg said.
"They're like (Mickey) Mantle and (Roger) Maris."
Patterson has shown no signs of slowing since his first game in Auburn. His 54 RBIs lead the league and his .330 batting average is good for fourth. Patterson's 11 long balls put him in a tie for second with teammate Patton.
"My goal is to go out there and represent for Auburn, as well as Toronto," Patterson said. "It's definitely exciting. It's one of those things you look back on down the road and realize how special it is."
As with Patterson, Patton has become a staple in the Doubledays' outfield, as well as a dangerous hitter in the heart of the Auburn lineup.
Patton, who is batting .295 with a .574 slugging percentage, said he is honored to be a part of New York-Penn League history.
"It's always exciting to be recognizedfor doing well on the field," he said.
"It definitely means a lot, especially since this is the first one of these. It'll be fun tobe a little part of history and I'm looking forwardto having fun down there."
For Jermy Acey, the road to the all-star game wasn't as smooth as it was for Patterson and Patton. Acey hasn't always been an everyday player with the Doubledays and was even sent down to Pulaski in the Rookie League for a few games.
Acey has rebounded as of late, though. He is eighth in the league in hitting (.321) and has 15 doubles. Holmberg has found a spot for him in almost every game, whether it be at third base, second base or the outfield, and Acey has blossomed into one of the league's best.
"It means a lot because I started off kind of slow and had to overcome some adversities," Acey said.
"But it makes you feel privileged, too. There are a lot of great players in this league. I'm just motivated to have fun and be around the best players in the league."
The final Doubleday to be selected might have been the most unlikely.
Brian Bormaster, the team's back-up catcher, was selected because of his steady play and ability to do whatever is needed of him.
"Brian has done everything he's been asked to do," Holmberg said.
"You got to give credit to Brian for the few games he has played he's made a nice impression. It's nice to have a back-up catcher as a league all-star."
Bormaster, who is batting .283 in only 31 games, says that in short-season baseball, anybody that does their job can make an all-star team.
"I'm a little surprised, but I know when I went in there I did my business," Bormaster said.
"I'll take it as an honor. I know I'm a good player and I'll take it."
Prior to the game, Patterson and Patton will partake in a home run derby.
The two sluggers will have to battle a tough wind that holds up several long balls at KeySpan Park, but both said they are looking forward to the opportunity.
"It'll be my first competitive home run derby," Patton said.
"I would sometimes mess around in high school or college and hit some homers but nothing like this. Hopefully I can knock a few out. I'm going to have fun, but it would be nice if (Patterson) or I won it."
Auburn's four all-stars come up one short of the league-high.
Though everybody was happy for the four all-stars, many were disappointed that a pitcher wasn't selected.
"Paul Phillips has been great in the bullpen and you've got to make an argument for guys like Kristian Bell," Holmberg said.
"But it's tough because things happen so fast in this league. Some guys have to take a bit of a back seat for a while."
The league-leading Auburn Doubledays landed four players on the team. Ryan Patterson, Cory Patton, Jermy Acey and Brian Bormaster will join the American League squad.
The Doubledays' manager, Dennis Holmberg, said in the past, people have been discouraged from having an all-star game in the league because of the short season.
"You've got the venue for the game, it just took some more interest to get it done," he said.
"It's a nice way to be acknowledged. It gives everyone a chance to show off their abilities. What a great place to be able to show your stuff."
To most, the selections of Patterson and Patton came as no surprise. Both have cemented themselves at the top of almost every offensive category in the league.
"Patterson and Patton, their statistics and value to the team speak for themselves," Holmberg said.
"They're like (Mickey) Mantle and (Roger) Maris."
Patterson has shown no signs of slowing since his first game in Auburn. His 54 RBIs lead the league and his .330 batting average is good for fourth. Patterson's 11 long balls put him in a tie for second with teammate Patton.
"My goal is to go out there and represent for Auburn, as well as Toronto," Patterson said. "It's definitely exciting. It's one of those things you look back on down the road and realize how special it is."
As with Patterson, Patton has become a staple in the Doubledays' outfield, as well as a dangerous hitter in the heart of the Auburn lineup.
Patton, who is batting .295 with a .574 slugging percentage, said he is honored to be a part of New York-Penn League history.
"It's always exciting to be recognizedfor doing well on the field," he said.
"It definitely means a lot, especially since this is the first one of these. It'll be fun tobe a little part of history and I'm looking forwardto having fun down there."
For Jermy Acey, the road to the all-star game wasn't as smooth as it was for Patterson and Patton. Acey hasn't always been an everyday player with the Doubledays and was even sent down to Pulaski in the Rookie League for a few games.
Acey has rebounded as of late, though. He is eighth in the league in hitting (.321) and has 15 doubles. Holmberg has found a spot for him in almost every game, whether it be at third base, second base or the outfield, and Acey has blossomed into one of the league's best.
"It means a lot because I started off kind of slow and had to overcome some adversities," Acey said.
"But it makes you feel privileged, too. There are a lot of great players in this league. I'm just motivated to have fun and be around the best players in the league."
The final Doubleday to be selected might have been the most unlikely.
Brian Bormaster, the team's back-up catcher, was selected because of his steady play and ability to do whatever is needed of him.
"Brian has done everything he's been asked to do," Holmberg said.
"You got to give credit to Brian for the few games he has played he's made a nice impression. It's nice to have a back-up catcher as a league all-star."
Bormaster, who is batting .283 in only 31 games, says that in short-season baseball, anybody that does their job can make an all-star team.
"I'm a little surprised, but I know when I went in there I did my business," Bormaster said.
"I'll take it as an honor. I know I'm a good player and I'll take it."
Prior to the game, Patterson and Patton will partake in a home run derby.
The two sluggers will have to battle a tough wind that holds up several long balls at KeySpan Park, but both said they are looking forward to the opportunity.
"It'll be my first competitive home run derby," Patton said.
"I would sometimes mess around in high school or college and hit some homers but nothing like this. Hopefully I can knock a few out. I'm going to have fun, but it would be nice if (Patterson) or I won it."
Auburn's four all-stars come up one short of the league-high.
Though everybody was happy for the four all-stars, many were disappointed that a pitcher wasn't selected.
"Paul Phillips has been great in the bullpen and you've got to make an argument for guys like Kristian Bell," Holmberg said.
"But it's tough because things happen so fast in this league. Some guys have to take a bit of a back seat for a while."
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