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According to Topps and Minor League Baseball, the left side of the Albuquerque Isotopes' infield was the best in Triple-A Baseball in 2007 as shortstop Robert Andino and third baseman Scott Seabol have each been named to the Topps/Minor League Baseball 2007 Triple-A All-Star Team, recognizing the very best at each position throughout the entire classification. The squad, which is selected by the Topps Company of New York, in conjunction with Minor League Baseball, is comprised of just 12 total players, one for each position on the diamond in addition to Designated Hitter, right-handed pitcher, left-handed pitcher, and relief pitcher. Albuquerque joins the Iowa Cubs as the only clubs in Triple-A Baseball to have two players named to this year's prestigious team.

After establishing himself as one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball, Andino excelled at the plate as well in 2007, belting a career-high 13 home runs while becoming the first Isotope to lead the Pacific Coast League in triples with 13, also a career high. The shortstop was also named to the All-PCL Post-season All-Star team at his position, was declared Albuquerque's "Best Defensive Player" by vote of his teammates, and earned mid-season PCL All-Star recognition.

Seabol, meanwhile, enjoyed the most prolific offensive year in Isotopes history, setting club records with 100 runs scored and 105 RBI, both of which were second-most in the PCL, while adding a .300 batting average. The third baseman also finished second in the League in homers with 32 and extra-base hits with 86 while leading the PCL in fielding percentage at his position. Seabol, who was named team MVP by vote of his teammates, was second in Pacific Coast League MVP balloting, while also receiving All-PCL and mid-season All-Star honors in 2007.

Other members of the Topps Triple-A All-Star Team familiar to 'Topes fans include outfielder Adam Jones of Tacoma (affiliate of the Seattle Mariners), Iowa second baseman Eric Patterson (Chicago Cubs), first baseman Joey Votto of Louisville (Cincinnati Reds), and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre DH Shelley Duncan (New York Yankees), all of whom played in the Triple-A All-Star Game at Isotopes Park and all of whom finished the 2007 campaign in the Major Leagues.

Isotopes season tickets and Mini-Plans are currently on sale for the 2008 season. For more information, visit albuquerquebaseball.com: Home or call 505-924-2255.

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LAS VEGAS: The Las Vegas 51s professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL), Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, will begin their 26th season of play against the Salt Lake Bees, Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, on Thursday, April 3 at 7:05 p.m. at Cashman Field. The 2008 schedule was announced today by the team's President/General Manager Don Logan.

The 51s, which will begin their eighth season as the top farm club of the Dodgers, will host the Bees from April 3-6 and the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, Triple-A Affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, from April 7-10, in the first home stand.

The 144-game schedule (72 home, 72 road) will once again feature many promotional nights that will include Dodgers and 51s giveaways and highlighted by the traditional July 3rd "Fireworks Extravaganza" at Cashman Field.

Las Vegas enjoyed another successful season at the box office in 2007 as Minor League Baseball set another attendance record (42,812,812, an increase of more than 1.1 million fans over the 2006 season). It marked the fourth year in a row that the industry set its all-time record.

Las Vegas compiled its third highest "home" attendance mark in franchise history. In 72 dates, Las Vegas' total was 371,676 for an average of 5,162. Las Vegas recorded six sellouts with a season-high crowd of 12,179. The 51s also increased the overall attendance in each of the last three seasons. The Las Vegas franchise has reached the 300,000 plateau in attendance at Cashman Field for 25 consecutive seasons. The all-time attendance total now stands at 8,312,310.

The 51s will host the Southern Division of the Pacific Conference opponents: the Fresno Grizzlies (San Francisco Giants), the defending PCL & Triple-A Champions, the Sacramento River Cats (Oakland A's) and Tucson Sidewinders (Arizona Diamondbacks) for eight games each. The 51s will also host the Northern Division (Pacific Conference) for eight games each: Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Colorado Rockies), Portland Beavers (San Diego Padres), Salt Lake Bees (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) and Tacoma Rainiers (Seattle Mariners).

The Northern Division opponents of the American Conference comprised of the Iowa Cubs (Chicago Cubs), Memphis Redbirds (St. Louis Cardinals), Nashville Sounds (Milwaukee Brewers) and Omaha Royals (Kansas City Royals) will visit Cashman Field for four games each.

The 51s will travel to the Southern Division (American Conference) opponents: Albuquerque Isotopes (Florida Marlins), New Orleans Zephyrs (New York Mets), Oklahoma RedHawks (Texas Rangers) and the Round Rock Express (Houston Astros) for four games each.

Last season, under first-year manager Lorenzo Bundy, the 51s posted a 67-77 record (.465) for the second straight season. Las Vegas finished in fourth place behind first place Sacramento. The PCL champion has been from the Pacific Conference Southern Division in four out of the last five seasons (Sacramento: 2003-04; '07 and Tucson, 2006). Nashville won the PCL championship in 2005.

The Dodgers promoted a total of 17 players from the 51s during the season. Infielder Tony Abreu, outfielder Matt Kemp, infielders Andy LaRoche and James Loney and outfielder Delwyn Young were the top players that received promotions.

2008 season tickets and mini-plan packages (10, 20, 33-game plans) are available by calling the 51s office at (702) 798-7825. Individual game tickets for the 72-game home schedule will go on sale in March.

truebluefan

Tides' pitcher Cory Doyne has been named to the Topps/Minor League Baseball Triple-A All-Star Team. The All-Star team highlights the top Triple-A performers, as honored by the Topps Company of New York, NY, in conjunction with Minor League Baseball.

Doyne saved 29 games in 30 chances for the Tides this year, and he posted an ERA of 2.23 in 42 games with Norfolk. He allowed just 23 hits and recorded 49 strikeouts in 44.1 innings, and his 29 saves led all Orioles' minor leaguers. The 26-year-old native of Tampa, Florida now holds the Tides' franchise record for saves in a single season, besting the old mark of 26 set by Derek Wallace in 1996.

Earlier this year, Doyne was elected to represent the International League in the Triple-A All-Star game in July, and he was also chosen as the reliever on the International League's postseason All-Star team. In October, Doyne was also named the top reliever in Triple-A baseball by minorleaguebaseball.com.

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Ryan Raburn Honored

DETROIT - Detroit Tigers outfielder Ryan Raburn was named the Tigers Rookie of the Year by the Detroit Sports Broadcasters' Association today.

Raburn batted .304 (42x138) with 28 runs scored, 12 doubles, four home runs and 27 RBI in 49 games with the Tigers. Raburn's season was highlighted by a four-hit game with two home runs and seven RBI on July 25 at U.S. Cellular Field against the Chicago White Sox. The seven RBI marked the most by a Tigers player since Carlos Pena finished with seven on May 19, 2003 at Cleveland and the most by a Tigers rookie since at least 1957.

Raburn will be presented with his award prior to a Tigers home game during the 2008 season. The Detroit Sports Broadcasters' Association has been selecting a Tigers Rookie of the Year since 1969.

truebluefan

The 2008 season will be the final season for historic Cooper Stadium. Did you know...

More baseball fans have seen a minor league baseball game at Cooper Stadium than any minor league stadium in history.

Opened in 1932, The Coop was the first stadium built with lights.

If you had been a season ticket holder over the past 75 years, you would have seen hundreds of future major league All-Stars and over 40 future Hall of Famers. Players such as Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Johnny Bench, Satchel Paige, Bob Gibson, Yogi Berra, Josh Gibson, Tom Seaver, Nolan Ryan, Cal Ripken, Jr. and many, many more.

FDR kicked off his very first presidential campaign at the stadium.

The Columbus Bullies won the American Football League championship at the stadium in 1940 and 1941.

The Reverend Billy Graham has been visiting The Coop since the 1950's. In 1993, Graham drew over 150,000 to Cooper Stadium to listen to his sermons.

Music has always been a big part of The Coop! The stadium has hosted many concerts such as Garth Brooks, Bob Dylan, Destiny's Child, Leann Rimes, Aerosmith, The Beach Boys, Rush, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, The Turtles, The Judds, REO Speedwagon, America, The Charlie Daniels Band, Def Leppard, The Doobie Brothers, Foreigner, and Chubby Checker.

Cooper Stadium has a rich history with many wonderful stories.

Groups wishing to take a tour of the legendary old stadium, before it is gone, with Clippers historian Joe Santry, may do so on the day your group comes to a game. The tour will begin an hour before the gates open that day, subject to availability.

Group benefits include:

Reduced prices on as few as 25 Reserved Seat tickets.

Your group recognized on our scoreboard.

Assurance that your group will be seated together.

The Clippers have five different party locations in the stadium, for your group to enjoy a pregame catered meal with a wide variety of menus available.

Tours will be scheduled based on availability. So be sure to schedule early.

Groups may call Group Sales Director Ben Keller at (614) 462-5250 or e-mail Ben at bkeller@clippersbaseball.com.