July 5, 2009

ARLINGTON, Texas - Former UT Arlington baseball player Hunter Pence was named to the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game as a reserve outfielder for the National League squad. MLB officials announced both teams' starters and reserves on Sunday, as Pence will make his Midsummer Classic debut on Tuesday, July 14, in the 80th edition of the All-Star Game at Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Starters were determined by fan balloting, with 16 players on each roster being determined by player ballot - eight pitchers (five starters, three relievers) and eight reserves per league. The remainder of the selections were made by All-Star Game managers Charlie Manuel (National League) and Joe Maddon (American League).

Joining Pence at the All-Star Game will be former UT Arlington four-year standout and current Kansas City Royals manager Trey Hillman, who Maddon named as one of his assistant coaches for the American League squad.

Pence is one of two players that will represent the Houston Astros as teammate Miguel Tejada makes his sixth appearance.

Pence, a second-round draft pick (64th overall pick) out of the UT Arlington baseball program in 2004, is enjoying an impressive season with a .303 batting average, 15 doubles, four triples, 10 home runs and 33 RBI in 78 games.

In only 2 ½ seasons in the big leagues, Pence owns a .294 career average with 394 base hits, 79 doubles, 17 triples, 52 home runs, 30 stolen bases and 185 RBI.

Pence becomes the second former Maverick to make a Major League All-Star Game roster, as John Lackey - who played at UT Arlington in 1998 - was a member of the American League All-Star Game roster in 2001 with the L.A. Angels.