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Thome, Abreu set for festivitiesBy Randy MillerSuff U'hterPHILADELPHIA — On separate private planes, the Phillies’ two-man All-Star contingent left for Houston on Sunday night with important luggage.On a jet leased by Bobby Abreu, the Phillies outfielder was joined by his mother, a brother, four other family members and a camcorder that will preserve the memories from his first All-Star appearance.Joining Thome on his leased plane were Ms wife, daughter, parents, in-laws and his human memory-maker. Phillies builpen catcher Mick Billmeyer, who rri!’ be Thome's personal pitcher for tonight's Home Run Derby.‘T’m really uptight, said Bitlmeyer, a 40-year-old who never made it to the big leagues in his nine-year pro career from 1985-93. “I hope (Thome) wins. If he loses, it will all be my fault. You can bet on that.**In front of a sellout crowd and national television audience, it'll be Billmever’s job to lob waist-high meatballs again and again right down the middle of the plate to Thome, who will compete in an eight-man field that includes two of the game's biggest stars, Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa.“Both parties have to be in sync to do well, said Thome,who leads the majors with 28 homers. “If the guy throwing and the guy hitting dtoo't lock in, it can be a little different A four-time Ail-Star, Thome has experienced the highs and lows in his two previous Home Run Derby appearances. In 1998, he finished second to Ken Griffey Jr., at Coons Field in Denver But in front of his home crowd in Cleveland in 1997, he didn't hit a single homer.The pressure’s on Mick a little bit, Abreu said, smiling.Actually, Thome’s only goal for tonight and Tuesday’s All-Star Game is to enjoy himself. “It’s aii for die fans. he said. Four players from each league will participate in the Home Run In 'T ’t’P be Bonds, Sosa and Carlos Beltran, who was named on Sunday as an injury replacement for Griffey. Representing the American League will be Jason Giambi, David Ortiz, Hank Blalock and Rafael Palmeiro.I think Thome has a pretty good chance, said Abreu. who will be iliming the event a few feet from the batter’s box. “He’s the one I’ll be cheering for.” Asked if he’ll give Thome any tips, Abreu, who has 18 homers, said: No, he’s got all the tips. He knows what to do.”Abreu has been giddy since winning the NL’s final roster spot in an Internet vote on Wednesday. He’s talked about beingthrilled to be a teammate of Bonds and other superstars for a day, while Thome was excited to hear that Phillies Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt and other retired members of the 500-honicr dub will attend tonight’s event*, w hich will be televised on ESPN at S.“I can't wait to take pictures of all the stars, Abreu said. “I’m not an autograph guy but this week I think I’m going to be ”Win or lose, many ot his Phillies teammates vow to be glued to the TV tonightI want to say Thome is going to w in, bur if he doesn’i. I hope he hits the biggest home run,” shortstop Jimmy Rollins said “It’s like when Sosa loses, people'*iM K^ |nnlt;* ”U •.* V *4 » • * 1. k UOltlCk —♦A grade-school boy sitting five rows behind the third-base dugout was struck in the head a flying bat lost by Pat Burrell in the sixth inning of the Phillies' 6-4 loss to Atlanta on Sunday.The boy. whose name and age were not released, was treated at a nearby hospital for- o gash on his forehead. A Phillies spokeswoman said the injury wasn’t serious.When the Phils were in Denver in May, a foul ball hit by David Bel! struck a seven-year-old giri in the head, resulting in a concussion and facial bruises.♦Phillies prospect Garin Floydpitched an adventurous two-thirds of an inning for the VS. team in its 4-3 win over the World team m the Futures Game at Mmutemaid Park.Floyd entered in the ninth with the bases loaded and the V S. up 4-0. He gave up an infield hit and threw a wild pitch and allowed all three inherited runners to score. Tigers’ prospect Kyle Sleeth got the final out for the save.♦Notes: Phillies managerLarry Bowa on being ejected twice in the weekend series: I was a little behind (in ejections;. I'm where 1 should be now ” . The Phils are in first place at the Ail-Star break for uiu tilt; math Uaic. The other years were 1950, 1964, 1974, 196,19S, 1982,1993 and 2001. ... Rookie reliever Ryan Madson has a 15 2 3-inning scoreless streak- ... Injured reliever Amaury Telemaco, out with rotator cuff tendinitis, threw off the mound for the second time m three days and will be reevaluated after the All-Star break. He’s hoping to be activated by Aug. 1.... Braves center fielder Andruw Jones had a miserable weekend, going 0-for-12 with a walk and seven strikeouts in the three-game series'.1 He- can be reached at (215)15 crf an cfarirvo@aol.com
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Doylestown Intelligencer
Doylestown, Pennsylvania, US
Mon, Jul 12, 2004
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