PENNY GETS NOD FOR NATIONAL LEAGUE GARNER NAMES DODGERS PITCHER AS STARTER FOR ALL-STAR GAME.Byline: TONY JACKSON
Anthony (Antonio) Jackson, best known as Tony Jackson Staff Writer PITTSBURGH -- Dodgers right-hander Brad Penny Bradley Wayne Penny[1] (born May 24, 1978 in Blackwell, Oklahoma)[2] is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers.[3] Early career wasn't Plan A to start for the National League in tonight's All-Star Game An all-star game is an exhibition game played by the best players in their sports league. The players are often chosen by a popular vote of fans of the sport and the game often occurs at the halfway point of the regular season, although this is not the case for some all-star games . But he is Plan Now. Houston manager Phil Garner Penny actually appeared in the Dodgers' first-half finale, as well, but only in a rare relief outing because manager Grady Little William Grady Little (born March 30, 1950 in Abilene, Texas) is a manager in Major League Baseball. He guided the Boston Red Sox from 2002 to 2003, and has been manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2006. didn't want him to go too many days without pitching in a game. All-Star starting pitchers are limited to three innings, but in most cases, they don't go more than two. Penny will become the first Dodgers pitcher to start an All-Star Game since Hideo Nomo Hideo Nomo (born Aug. 31, 1968 , Osaka, Japan) Japanese baseball pitcher whose success with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1995 created new opportunities for Asian players in Major League Baseball. in 1995. ``I found out (Sunday) night when I got here,'' Penny said. ``I knew I had a shot because a lot of people pitched that day. I'm just going to have fun with it and do my best.'' The assignment is especially sweet for Penny, who admittedly wondered if his career might be over in the wake of an inexplicable nerve injury in his right arm two seasons ago that kept him sidelined for the first three weeks of last season. ``I had no idea what it was, and it took so long to heal,'' Penny said. ``The doctors couldn't tell me anything. It was just a long, frustrating process.'' Penny, a first-time All-Star, has been the Dodgers' ace this season, going 10-2 with a 2.91 ERA in 18 starts and the aforementioned relief appearance. Even after he returned last year, Penny slumped to a 7-9 record. He attributes this year's turnaround largely to the fact he has regained a good curveball for the first time since he initially suffered the injury. Penny and fellow Dodgers All-Star Nomar Garciaparra chartered a private jet for the trip from Los Angeles. They also invited Dodgers trainer Stan Johnston, who is part of the NL medical staff, and third-base coach Rich Donnelly, who isn't part of the NL staff but lives in nearby Steubenville, Ohio. Penny's batterymate will be NewYork Mets catcher Paul Lo Duca Paul Anthony Lo Duca (born April 12, 1972 in Brooklyn, New York) is a catcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the New York Mets. Previously, Lo Duca played for the Los Angeles Dodgers (1998-2004) and Florida Marlins (2004-2005). , whom the Dodgers traded to Florida for Penny in a five-player deal on July 30, 2004. CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: (color) PENNY Box: ALL STAR GAME LINE-UPS |
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